The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (4 vols., libros 1–18) · 1 · 89

43 (return) [ More literally, the state of the gods. It may appropriately be remarked here that the ordinary Hindu gods, of the post-Vedic period, like the gods of Ancient Greece and Italy, were simply a class of superhuman beings, distinctly contra-distinguished from the Supreme Spirit, the Paramatman or Parabrahma. After death, a virtuous man was supposed to be transformed into one of these so-called gods.]

44 (return) [ This is the well-known and popular doctrine of transmigration of souls.]

45 (return) [ The word in the text is Kora-dushakas, supposed by Wilson to be the Paspalum frumentacea (vide Dict.).]

46 (return) [ The word in the text is mlecchibhutam. The Sanskrit grammar affords a great facility for the formation of verbs from substantives. Mlecchify may be hybrid, but it correctly and shortly signifies the Sanskrit word.]

47 (return) [ Pushya is the eighth lunar asterism consisting of three stars, of which one is, the Cancer. (Vide Wilson’s Diet.).]

48 (return) [ An Indian creeper of the order of Goertnera racemosa. It bears large white flowers of much fragrance.]

49 (return) [ They, therefore, that lead deathless lives can enjoy this bliss from day to day for ever.]

50 (return) [ It is difficult to understand how all that Vaka says can be an answer to Indra’s question. The chief of the gods enquires: What are the joys of those that lead deathless lives? Vaka breaks away unto a confused rigmarole about the merits of independence and the religious merit of entertaining guests and servants. All the printed editions have the passage as rendered here.]

51 (return) [ The ceremony of Swastivachana is described to be “a religious rite, preparatory to any important observance, in which the Brahmanas strew boiled rice on the ground, and invoke the blessings of the gods on the ceremony about to commence” (Vide Wilson’s Dict).A flowery car was, probably, one of celestial make that the kings, procured from heaven by performing costly rites and ceremonies. These were sometimes exhibited to the people, and prior to these exhibitions, the ceremony of Swastivachana was performed.]

52 (return) [ A man is said to sell the Vedas who lectures on the Vedas taking fees from the hearers.]

53 (return) [ Japa is the silent recitation of particular Mantras.]

54 (return) [ Mantras are particular formulae of worship. They are for the most part rhythmic compositions, believed to be of great efficacy.]

55 (return) [ The Homa is that sacrificial rite which consists of pouring libations of clarified butter into fire.]

56 (return) [ Vedamayi nou. Lit, a boat made of the Vedas.]

57 (return) [ Vishada is the original. It means discontent, but here it means more a mixture of discontent, perplexity and confusion than mere discontent.]

58 (return) [ A form of Hindu etiquette at parting.]

59 (return) [ It is so very difficult to translate the word Karma,—religion and morals were invariably associated with each other in ancient Hindu mind.]

60 (return) [ Agni or fire was supposed to convey the oblations offered by men to the gods.]

61 (return) [ Kumara means a boy, hence a prince. Here Kartika the war-god is meant.]

62 (return) [ By carrying their oblations to the gods.]

63 (return) [ Portions of the Vedas.]

64 (return) [ Raga means love.]

65 (return) [ Kama is the name of the god of love, Indian Cupid.]

66 (return) [ The body, the exciting Cause of our actions is an uktha, the soul of the vivifier of the body is the second uktha, and the Supreme Spirit, the inciter of the soul is the third.]

67 (return) [ The word of God.]

68 (return) [ In Hindu Mythology there are no gods who destroy sacrifices. It is only the Asuras who do so. The Burdwan translator renders this passage,—“fifteen other gods belonging to western nations or Asuras.” It is noticeable that the beings that were denounced as Asuras by the Hindus were worshipped as Gods (Asuras) by the followers of Zarathustra.]

69 (return) [ In connection with the names of these Mitra-gods, it is to be remembered that Mitra was the name of the principal god of the ancient Persians.]

70 (return) [ Avala is a common name of women. It means one who has no vala or strength or power. The word is also used as an adjective.]

71 (return) [ According to the Hindus, the sun rises from and sets behind two hills respectively. He rises from the Udaya or Sun-rise hill and sets behind the Asta or sun-set hill.]

72 (return) [ Raudra—belonging to Rudra, the god of fury, violence, war, &c.]