1834.] Extracts from Tibetan Works. 59 



Sd-htsho-ma, (S. Gdpd,) the wife of Shakya, upon hearing of her 

 being upbraided by the domestics for not concealing her face when in 

 company with others, expresses herself in some verses (against the veil), 

 the meaning of which is as follows : 



" Sitting, standing, and walking, those that are venerable, are pleas- 

 ing when not concealed. A bright gem will give more lustre if put on 

 tbe top of a standard. The venerable are pleasing when they go, they 

 are agreeable also when they come. They are so whether they stand 

 or whether they are sitting. In every manner the venerable are pleas- 

 ing. The man excellent in virtue is pleasing when he speaks ; he is so 

 also when he sits still. As an example, doth not the Kalapinka bird ap- 

 pear more beautiful when she chaunteth her lovely song in your presence ? 

 The venerable man who putteth on a garment made of the kusha grass, or 

 whose squalid clothing concealeth not his emaciated body, still shineth 

 with his own lustre. He that hath good qualities is adorned by those 

 qualifications. They who have put off all vices are venerable. Fools, 

 committing vices, howmuchsoever they be adorned, are never pleasing. 

 Those that have malice in their heart and speak a sweet language are 

 like a poisoned bowl into which nectar is poured ; or a cleft on a rock 

 that is rough both inside and outside. Communion with such men is 

 as though you would touch the mouth of a snake. With respect 

 to the venerable, all resort to them, all reverence them. They are 

 supported and cherished by all men, as the stairs descending to the 

 water's edge are kept in repair by the multitude. The venerable are 

 always like a bowl full of milk and curd. It is a great happiness to see 

 human nature capable of such purity. Fraught with blissful conse- 

 quences is the gift of such men as have renounced the company of the 

 wicked, and being directed by a venerable religious guide, are become 

 enamoured of the doctrine of the most perfect (Buddha). For such 

 as have restrained their body, have suppressed the several defects of it, 

 have refrained their speech, and never use a deceitful language ; and 

 having subdued the flesh, are held in restraint by a pure conscience : for 

 such, to what purpose is the veiling of the face ? They that have acunnning 

 heart are impudent and shameless ; and having not the required quali- 

 ties, do not speak the truth : — though they should cover their body even 

 with a thousand clothes, they would go about in the world more naked 

 than the unclothed. They that have concealed their passions, and have 

 kept them under subjection, and are content with their own husbands, 

 and think not on any other ; — such women, when not concealed 

 by a veil, shin:; ^orth like the sun and moon. Moreover Drang- 

 Srong, (S. R.s'hi,) the great Lord (God), who is wise in knowing the 

 hearts of others, yea, also the whole company of the gods, know my 

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