Ram Prasad was a popular poet who flourished at the same time as Bharat Chandra Raya, who was one of Maharajah Kishen Chandra’s ‘Five Jewels.’ Maharajah Kishen Chandra was Maharajah of Nuddea at the time of Lord Clive: he was a Sanscrit scholar, and a great patron of learning.
Literally— “Before he had got as far as the initial mystic salutation to Ganesh, the sacred Om.” All business is commenced with this mystic invocation: it is written at the top of letters in the form of a crescent with a dot in the centre.
These questions were simply put to see if the patient was still conscious— see note 30.
To die conscious in the full possession of all his faculties is regarded as of supreme importance with a Hindoo, and as ensuring a happy hereafter; even though a Hindoo may not be dying in the waters of the sacred Ganges, if he is able to ask the question as he dies— “Is this the Ganges that I am dying in?” ’tis enough: the priest in attendance will reply: “It is the Ganges.”
A place supposed to be famous for witchcraft. Some say it is an old name for Assam.