[69] Apparently the arrows were attached to some kind of mechanism which discharged them on the opening of the jar. There is "nothing new under the sun." Dynamite is perhaps a discovery of our own times, but "infernal machines," which served the purpose of king-killers, are of ancient date.
[70] The Hindûs, at their meals, squat on the ground, with leaves in place of earthenware dishes, on which their food is served.--T.
[71] A sum of money varying in different localities of the South of India. In the Chola grants "pon" also occurs.
[72] An Indian word meaning clumps of trees.
[73] It is a very common practice to dupe the ordinary people in this manner in Hindu temples. Some impostor will proclaim to the crowd that the spirit of a god, or goddess, is upon him, and utters whatever comes uppermost in his mind. He occasionally contrives to accomplish his private ends by such "revelations." The ignorant are greatly misled by these impostors, and learned Hindus condemn the practice as gross superstition.--T.
[74] Corresponding to the English proverb: "Quarrelling with one's bread and butter."
[75] Full grown and ripe bamboo bears a kind of corn which when collected and shelled resembles wheat. Hunters cook a most excellent food of bamboo grain and honey.--T.
[76] Compare the story of "The Rat's Wedding" from the Pañjâb, The Indian Antiquary, Vol. XI., pp, 226ff: where, however, a better moral from the tale is drawn.
[78] In response to the sound of the tom-tom.
[79] Traders have also certain secret symbols for marking their prices on their cloths.
[80] This story, apart from its folklore value, is specially interesting as showing that the customs mentioned in the Indian Antiquary, Vol. XIV., pp. 155ff., as being prevalent at Delhi, regarding secret trade language are universal in India.
[83] Worship of the household gods or devotion.
[84] The eleventh lunar day of every fortnight, on which a fast is observed by orthodox Hindûs.
[85] Bhûsura, bhûdêva; a generic name for a Brâhmin.
[86] Oil of sesamun; til and gingely oil are the ordinary names for this common product of India.
[87] Dvâdasi is the twelfth lunar day, on which early in the morning, before even the fifth ghatikâ is over, every orthodox Hindû is obliged by his religious codes to break the previous day's fast.