PRA CBIT POETRY. 407 



is in that species of it which is called Aupaclihcmd- 

 asica. 



The work here mentioned is an cpick poem, the 

 subject of which is the death of S'is'upa'la slain in war 

 by Ckishn'a : it is entitled S'lsupaJa-haifha, but is 

 usually cited under the name of its author, whose de- 

 signation, with praises of his family, appears in the 

 concluding stanzas of the poem. Yet, if tradition may 

 be trusted, Ma'g'ha, though expressly named as the 

 author, was the patron, not the poet. As the subject 

 is heroick, and even the unity of action well preserved, 

 and the style of the composition elevated, this poem is 

 entitled to the name of epick. But the Luliafi taste for 

 descriptive poetry, and particularly for licentious de- 

 scr-pt'on, has disfigured even tliis work which is other- 

 wise not undeserving of its high reputation. The t'.vo 

 first cantos and the last eight are suitable to the design 

 of the poem. But the intermediate ten, describing the 

 journey of Crishn''a with a train of amorous damsels, 

 from Dwdracd to ludrapnufha^ is misplaced, and in 

 more than one respect exceptionable. 



The argument of the poem is as follows. In the 

 first eanto, Ni^'reda, commissioned by Indra, visits 

 Crishn'a and incites him to war with his cousin, but 

 mortal enemy, S'is'upa'la kingoftlie Chedis. In the 

 second, Crishn'a consults with his uncle and brother, 

 whether war should be immediately commenced, or he 

 should first assist Yud'hisht'hira in completing a 

 solemn sacrifice which had been appointed by him : 

 the result of the consultation is in favour of the latter 

 measure: and accordingly, in the 3d canto, Crishn'a 

 departs for Y^ud'hisht'hira's capital. In the thir- 

 teenth he arrives and is welcomed by the Pa'n'davas. 

 In the following canto, the sacritice is begun;' and, in 

 the next, S'is'upa'la impatient of the divine honours 

 } aid to Crishn'a retires vvith his partisans from the 



Dd 4 



