Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/54

24 of the year. The "Vāramāsī" or a description of twelve months is a favourite subject with our old poets, who seem to be never weary of describing the peculiar pleasures and sorrows of each of the twelve months. Here, in these two manuals, there are frequent references to the conditions of weather foretelling the prospects of paddy during each month of the year. Food, peculiarly congenial to the human system in each season and month, is detailed in Dāker Vachana in strict accordance with the principles of health. I quote a portion below:—

"In the month of Kārtik, take the esculent root Ol (Arum campanulatum). In Agrāhayana the Bel fruit will prove congenial to health. In Pouṣ take Kanji (a kind of sour gruel or sowens made by steeping rice in water and letting the liquor ferment). In Māgh, a free use of mustard oil is recommended. In Fālgun take ginger and in Chaitra vegetables of a bitter taste (as Nim leaves) will do you good. In Vaiçakh Nalita (a pot herb), in Jyaiṣtha, butter milk,—in Āṣāḍa, curds, in Çrāvaṅa Khoi (a kind of fried-grain) in Bhādra, palm fruit and in Āçvina,—cucumber. This is the Vāramāsī, says Dāk."