Page:TheBirth of the War-God.djvu/95

Rh word mukta, pearl (literally freed), signifies also the spirit released from mundane existence, and re-integrated with its divine original.

The sweetest note the Köil ever poured.] The Kokila, or Köil, the black or Indian Cuckoo, is the Bulbul or Nightingale of Hindustan. It is also the herald of Spring, like its European namesake, and the female bird is the especial messenger of Love. When holy Ndradr A divine Sage, son of Brahma.

The holy Bull.] The animal on which the God Siva rides, as Indra on the elephant.

Who takes eight various forms.] Siva is called Wearer of the Eight Forms, as being identical with the Five Elements, Mind, Individuality, and Crude Matter.

Where the pale Moon on Siva's forehead.] Siva's crest is the new Moon, which is sometimes described as forming a third eye in his forehead. We shall find frequent allusions to this in the course of the poem.

CANTO SECOND.

While impious Tárak:] A Demon who, by a long course of austerities, had acquired power even over the Gods. This Hindú notion is familiar to most of us from Southey's "Curse of Kehama."

Whose face turns every way.] Brahma is represented with four faces, one towards each point of the compass.

The mystic Three.] "The triad of qualities," a philosophical term familiar to all the systems of Hindu speculation; they are thus explained in the Tattwa Samása, a text-book of the Sánkhya school:—"Now it is asked, What is the 'triad of qualities?' It is replied, The triad of qualities consists of 'Goodness,' 'Foulness,' and 'Darkness.' By the 'triad of qiialities' is meant the 'three qualities.' Goodness is endlessly diversified, accordingly as it is exemplified in calmness, lightness, complacency, attainment of wishes, kindliness, contentment, patience, joy, and the like; summarily, it consists of happiness. 'Foulness' is endlessly diversified, accordingly as it is exemplified in grief, distress, separation, excitement, anxiety, fault-finding, and the like; summarily, it consists of pain. 'Darkness'