Vikram and the Vampire

132

A thieves’ manual in the Sanskrit tongue; it aspires to the dignity of a ‘Scripture.’

133

All sounds, say the Hindus, are of similar origin, and they do not die; if they did, they could not be remembered.

134

Gold pieces.

135

These are the qualifications specified by Hindu classical authorities as necessary to make a distinguished thief.

136

Every Hindu is in a manner born to a certain line of life, virtuous or vicious, honest or dishonest; and his Dharma, or religious duty, consists in conforming to the practice and the worship of his profession. The ‘Thug,’ for instance, worships Bhawani, who enables him to murder successfully; and his remorse would arise from neglecting to murder.

137

Hindu law sensibly punishes, in theory at least, for the same offence the priest more severely than the layman – a hint for him to practise what he preaches.

138

The Hindu Mercury, god of rascals.

139

A penal offence in India. How is it that we English have omitted to codify it? The laws of Manu also punish severely all disdainful expressions, such as ‘tush’ or ‘pish,’ addressed during argument to a priest.

140

Stanzas, generally speaking on serious subjects.

141

Whitlows on the nails show that the sufferer, in the last life, stole gold from a Brahman.

142

A low caste Hindu, who catches and exhibits snakes and performs other such mean offices.

143

Meaning in spite of themselves.

144

When the moon is in a certain lunar mansion, at the conclusion of the wet season.

145

In Hindostan, it is the prevailing wind of the hot weather.

146

Vishnu, as a dwarf, sank down into and secured in the lower regions the Raja Bali, who by his piety and prayerfulness was subverting the reign of the lesser gods; as Ramachandra he built a bridge between Lanka (Ceylon) and the main land; and as Krishna he defended, by holding up a hill as an umbrella for them, his friends the shepherds and shepherdesses from the thunders of Indra, whose worship they had neglected.

147

The priestly caste sprang, as has been said, from the noblest part of the Demiurgus; the three others from lower members.

148

A chew of betel leaf and spices is offered by the master of the house when dismissing a visitor.

149

Respectable Hindus say that receiving a fee for a daughter is like selling flesh.

150

A modern custom amongst the low caste is for the bride and bridegroom, in the presence of friends, to place a flower garland on each others necks, and thus declare themselves man and wife. The old classical Gandharva-lagan has been before explained.

151

Meaning that the sight of each other will cause a smile, and that what one purposes the other will consent to.

152

This would be the verdict of a Hindu jury.

153

Because stained with the powder of Mhendi, or the Lawsonia inermis shrub.

154

Kansa’s son; so called because the god Shiva, when struck by his shafts, destroyed him with a fiery glance.

155

‘Great Brahman;’ used contemptuously to priests who officiate for servile men. Brahmans lose their honour by the following things: By becoming servants to the king; by pursuing any secular business; by acting priests to Shudras (serviles); by officiating as priests for a whole village; and by neglecting any part of the three daily services. Many violate these rules; yet to kill a Brahman is still one of the five great Hindu sins. In the present age of the world, the Brahman may not accept a gift of cows or of gold; of course he despises the law. As regards monkey worship, a certain Rajah of Nadiya is said to have expended 10,000l. in marrying two monkeys with all the parade and splendour of the Hindu rite.

156

The celebrated Gayatri, the Moslem Kalmah.