CANTO FIFTH.
[And worn with resting on her rosary.]] The Hindús use their rosaries much as we do, carrying them in their hands or on their wrists. As they turn them over, they repeat an inaudible prayer, or the name of the particular deity they worship, as Vishṇu or S'iva. The Rudrákshá málá (which we may suppose Umá to have used) is a string of the seeds or berries of the Eleocarpus, and especially dedicated to S'iva. It should contain 108 berries or beads, each of which is fingered with the mental repetition of one of S'iva's 108 appellations.
[Not e'en her boy.]] Kártikeya, the God of War.
[Of those poor birds.]] The Chakraváki. These birds are always observed to fly in pairs during the day, but are supposed to remain separate during the night.
[That friendship soon in gentle heart is bred.]]
"Amor in cor gentil ratto s'apprende."
Dante.