[That the bright Seven.]] The Hindús call the constellation Ursa Major the seven Rishis, or Saints. They will appear as actors in the course of the poem.
[And once when Indra's might.]] We learn from the Rámáyana that the mountains were originally furnished with wings, and that they flew through the air with the speed of the wind. For fear lest they should suddenly fall in their flight, Indra, King of the Gods, struck off their pinions with his thunderbolt; but Maináka was preserved from a similar fate by the friendship of Ocean, to whom he fled for refuge.
[Born once again, &c.]] The reader will remember the Hindú belief in the Transmigration of Souls. The story alluded to by the poet is this:—"Daksha was the son of Brahmá and father of Satí, whom, at the recommendation of the Rishis, or Sages, he espoused to Śiva, but he was never wholly reconciled to the uncouth figure and practices of his son-in-law. Having undertaken to celebrate a solemn sacrifice, he invited all the Gods except Śiva, which so incensed Satí, that she threw herself into the sacrificial fire."—(Wilson, Specimens of Hindú Theatre, Vol. II. p. 263.) The name of Satí, meaning good, true, chaste woman, is the modern Suttee, as it is corruptly written.
[As the blue offspring of the Turquois Hills.]] These hills are placed in Ceylon. The precious stone grows, it is said, at the sound of thunder in the rainy season.
[At her stern penance.]] This is described in the fifth canto. The meaning of the name Umá is "Oh, do not."
[The Gods' bright river.]] The celestial Ganges, which falls from heaven upon Himálaya's head, and continues its course on earth.
[Young Káma's arrow.]] Káma, the Hindú Cupid, is armed with a bow, the arrows of which are made of flowers.
[And brighter than Aśoka's rich leaves.]] Nothing, we are told, can exceed the beauty of this tree when in full bloom. It is, of course, a general favourite with the poets of India.
"Then, too, the pearl from out its shell
Unsightly, in the sunless sea
(As 'twere a spirit, forced to dwell
In form unlovely) was set free,
And round the neck of woman threw
A light it lent and borrowed too."