324 REVIEW OF THE NAISHADHA CHARITA, 



with delight, he scarcely knows how to find his way out. Hence the 

 remark made by Mr. Colebrooke, is very correct, when he says — " This 

 poet, with a degree of licentiousness, which is but too well accommodated 

 to the taste of his countrymen, indulges in glowing descriptions of sensual 

 love." This renders many parts of the poem disgusting to persons of refined 

 taste, or religious sentiments. 



Though barren of important incidents the poem is not deficient in 

 descriptions. When a prominent subject is introduced, the poet proceeds 

 immediately to descant upon it, and does not leave it till he has exhausted 

 the resources of nature, and the powers of invention. Thus when the 

 beauty of Bhaimi's person, the excellency of Nala's character, and the 

 grandeur of Bhima's city, palace, grove, &c. come under his consideration, 

 he ransacks the universe to adorn his favorite. — Even on minor themes 

 there are not wanting some fine descriptive pieces ; such for instance as 

 the account of Nala's steed or Bucephalus, and the lament of the bird 

 which he caught, a.- related at the close of the first book : we select the 

 latter as a specimen. 



^rf^ ^WT^^T^^T w^Tfij^ir^: ^^iT^?;^i[r i 

 Tit TT? ^^T^^T ^ f^^R^r ^^r tr^^i i 



