[274] ज्योतिषं mathematical, astronomical, and astrological science.
[275] पातञ्जलं The Yoga-system of philosophy, from Patanjeli, the sage by whom it was first taught.
[276] तीर्थ.
[277] प्रयाग signifies “sacrifice, oblation;” in compositon it is applied to many places of reputed sanctity, situated at the confluence of two rivers, as Déva-prayága, Rudra-práyaga, Karna práyaga, and Nanda-prayága, in the Himála mountains, which with Prayága, or Allahabad, constitute the five principal places so termed—(Wilson’s Dict., sub voce).
[278] सप्तर्षि.
[279] दम भवानी dama signifies, in the Védas, “the hall of sacrifice.”
[280] This verse is taken from the Arabic work entitled “The Birds and the Flowers,” composed by Azz-ed-din Almoka dési, published with a translation and notes by M. Garcin de Tassy.—(See p. 8 of the text, and p. 131 of the notes).
[281] The merely cursory mention made of Abu Ali in the foregoing lines, is sufficient for inducing the author to interpose between the Sactis and the Vaishnavas, the account of a man who neither belonged to the Hindus, nor professed their religion.
The name of this celebrated personage is Abu Alí Husain Ben Abdallah, Ben Sina, Al Shaikh Al ráis; he is commonly called Ibn Sina; the Jews name him Arabisans Aben Sina; and the Christians Avisenna.
Herbelot gives an account nearly similar to that of the Dabistán, of the astonishing learning of Abu Alí and of his flight before the persecutions of the Sultan Mahmud, and the cure which the famous doctor performed upon the nephew of the king of Georgia.