In A. von Schiefner’s Tibetan Tales derived from Indian Sources (Ralston), p. 129, the widow of a son of the King of Vidēhā, who had a son called Bahvannapāna, was given in marriage by the King of Pañcāla, her father, to his Purōhita or spiritual adviser. The Purōhita one day heard a Brāhmaṇa predict when he heard a cock crow near the house, that the person who ate its flesh would become King. He therefore killed the cock, told his wife to cook it at once, and went to the palace on business. During his absence Bahvannapāna returned hungry from school, saw the bird in the pan, cut off its head, and ate it. When the Purōhita came back he heard of this, and ate up the rest of the fowl. On consulting the Brāhmaṇa about it he was informed that he who ate the head would become King, and that one who killed him and ate his head in turn would also become King, so he determined to kill the boy. His mother perceived this and sent the boy away to Vidēhā, and he lay down to sleep in a park there. The King had just died, apparently without an heir, and the funeral ceremonies could not be performed until a new King was chosen. The Ministers, officials, Brāhmaṇas, etc., went in search of a suitable heir, saw the boy, aroused him, ascertained that he was the true heir to the throne, and proclaimed him King.
Messrs. H. B. Andris and Co., of Kandy, have been good enough to inform me that the Hatara-maha Lūla is a large four-sided trap, made for catching large animals, such as deer and wild pigs. It has four entrances and four nooses. They state that the Habaka mentioned on p. 49 is a similar but smaller trap, with one noose, used for catching hares, mouse-deer, wild cats, etc.
[1] Hatara-maha Lūla. I am doubtful regarding the meaning of maha; it appears to be derived from Skt. mā, to measure or be contained. According to Clough, lūla is a snare or wicker fish-basket, perhaps from the Skt. lū, to cut or destroy. See final note. [↑]
[2] This would include the bathing of the whole body. [↑]
[3] The word gē, house, is used in the villages for “room.” In this case the “house” was the trap. [↑]
[4] Togē ammā tan̥gi, togē appā ton̥gi; tan̥gitton̥git. [↑]