1876.] F. S. Growse— The Prologize to the Bdmdyana of Tulsi Das. 9 



that the whole universe, whether animate or inanimate, is pervaded by the 

 spirit of Rama, I reverence with clasped hands the lotus feet of all, gods, 

 giants, men, serpents, "birds, ghosts, departed ancestors, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, 

 demons of the night ; I pray ye all be gracious to me. 



Ghaupdi. 

 By four modes of birth* are produced 84 lakhs of species inhabiting 

 the air, the water and the earth. With clasped hands I perform an act of 

 adoration, recognizing the whole world as pervaded by the spirit of Sita and 

 Rama. In your compassion regard me as your servant, and dissembling no 

 longer be kind and affectionate. I have no confidence in the strength of 

 my own wisdom, and therefore I supplicate you all. I would narrate the 

 great deeds of Raghupati ; but my ability is little and his acts unfathomable. 

 I am not conscious of any special qualification or capacity ; my intellect in 

 short is beggarly while my ambition is imperial ; and I am thirsting for nec- 

 tar, when not even skim milk is to be had. Good people all, pardon my pre- 

 sumption and listen to my childish babbling, as a father and mother delight 

 to hear the lisping prattle of their little one. Perverse and malignant fools 

 may laugh, who pick out faults in others wherewith to adorn themselves. Every 

 one is pleased with his own rhymes, whether they be pungent, or insipid ; but 

 those who praise another's voice are good men, of whom there are few in the 

 world ; there are many enough like the rivers, which on getting a rain-fall 

 swell out a flood of their own, but barely one like the generous ocean, which 

 swells on beholding the fulness of the moon. 



Doha 12. 

 My lot is low, my purpose high ; but I am confident of one thing, that 

 the good will be gratified to hear me, though fools may laugh. 



Chawpdi. 

 The laughter of fools will be grateful to me : the crow calls the koiVs 

 voice harsh. The goose ridicules the swan, and the frog the chdtaJc ; so the 

 low and vile abuse pure verse. As they have no taste for poetry nor love for 

 Rama, I am glad that they should laugh. If my homely speech and poor 

 wit are fit subjects for laughter, let them laugh ; it is no fault of mine. If 

 they have no understanding of true devotion to the Lord, the tale will 

 seem insipid enough : but to the true and orthodox worshippers of Hari and 

 Hara the story of Raghubar will be sweet as honey. The singer's devotion 



* The four dkaras, or modes of birth are named Pindaja or viviparous ; andaja 

 or oviparous ; swedaja, born in sweat like lice ; and udbhijja, produced by sprouting, 

 like a tree. The 84 lakhs of species are divided as follows : 9 lakhs of aquatic crea- 

 tures, 27 lakhs of those attached to the earth, 11 lakhs of insects, 10 lakhs of birds, 23 

 lakhs of quadrupeds, and 4 lakhs of men. The literal meaning of dkara being a mine, 

 khdni which has the same primary signification, is used for it in Chaupdi 44. 



