INDIAN FISH AND FISHING. 57 



devils, while other evil spirits are dragging more fishermen 

 in nets towards the burning fiery furnace, helping on some 

 by striking fish spears into them from behind, and hauling 

 them forward by hooks and lines fixed to their mouths 

 towards the place of punishment. 



But it may be asked are these Poongees' (priests) 

 practices in accord with their teachings ? By no means, as 

 the following example will show. At Yahdown, on the 

 banks of a branch of the Irrawaddi, a fisherman (Een 

 Thoogyee), built a Kyoung, or monastery, as his great hope 

 was to be termed a Kyoung taga, or founder of a monastery, 

 a highly-prized title amongst the Burmese. Poongees came, 

 and Poongees went away, but they did not care to remain, 

 and partake for any lengthened period of the hospitalities 

 of their host and disciple. At last one old priest appeared, 

 who seemed to consider the quarters as desirable. To him, 

 in great trepidation, the owner put the following question, 

 "Why, my father, do not the Poongees approve of my 

 monastery, for none but yourself have remained over the 

 going down of two suns ? " " Because, my son," replied the 

 holy man, " do you not break the law by depriving the fish 

 of life ? " " True," he answered, " but were I not to do so, 

 how could I supply your table with fish, or how could I live 

 were I to give up my employment ? " The only reply he 

 could obtain was, "Better to fast while keeping the law, 

 than to feast whilst breaking it ! " 



With sorrow the disciple took the priest at his word, and 

 for three days refrained from fishing, giving his preceptor 

 merely vegetables for his diet. On the fourth morning, 

 when the same fare appeared, the Poongee observed, " My 

 son, when you fish the river, does your net extend all across, 

 permitting no fish to escape ; or is a portion of the river 

 free for those which select to pass to one side ? " " Not all 



