Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/829

 VI.]. BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE — 787 of my own observations. Raja Jayanarayana of the family of Ghosala, here ends‘his account.” The translation of Kaci Khanda is complete in 11,200 lines; it forms a record of patient labour, carried on by half a dozen scholars for many years. In the Bhanita (signature) at the end of each chap- ter we find the name of Raja Jaya Narayana, given no doubt by way of courtesy, having regard to the high position and munificence of this scholarly nobleman who initiated and maintained this under- taking, as the patron of the scholars. The main portion of the work was done by Narasinha Deva Ray of Patuli whose descendants now dwell at Bansberia in the district of Hughly. But the chief interest of the work lies in the supplementary account of the City of Benares which the Raja himself gives in Bengali verse. Literal translations from the Sanskrit have little value in this country. The learned do not care to read translations instead of the original texts, and those who do not know Sanskrit, do not care to read literal translation, in which they do not find an adequate or modernised expression of the thoughts to which they are accustomed. The trans- lation of Kaci Khanda is thus a_ lost labour, though the labour that produced it was great. | But the supplementary account of the City of 4 descrip tion of the Benares is full of interest. | In simple and unassum- city: নগর বর্ণন মোর গ্রন্থের কারণ । প্রত্যক্ষ বৃত্তান্ত তাহা যথার্থ বর্ণন ॥ ঘোষাল বংশের রাজ। জয়নারায়ণ। এইখানে সমাপ্ত করিল! বিবরণ ॥"