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REVIEW OF THE NAISHADHA CHARITA, 



Bade them adieu, and to his court returned : 

 Just as a wave by a strong wind impelled 

 KoUs from the bank into the pond again. 

 His parting words were these ; " My daughter fair, 

 The tie that binds us, must be now dissolved ; 

 Henceforth may virtue be your parent kind ; 

 Forbearance your preserver from distress ; 

 True peace of mind your undecaying wealth ; 

 And Nala all beside that you may need." 



Many of the figures and comparisons used are very catachrestical, 

 and many of the ideas singular and extravagant. In showing what an 

 ornament Bhaimi was to her partner, the poet in the verse following the 

 one above quoted, says — 



Her eyes were like the deer's; her stately pace 

 Was like the elephant's ; and so the King, 

 Adorned with gold, seemed like a mountain huge, 

 Near which the elephant and deer repose. 



In speaking of the rising sun he remarks : 



The moon beheld the hawk of day fly up. 



And with his bright and heavenly rays give chase, 



Unto the raven night ; alarmed with fear 



For the dear hare* reclining on his breast. 



He fled precipitate : and all the stars, 



Like doves afraid, betook themselves to flight. 



The plai/ upon words is another characteristic which we have mention- 

 ed as belonging to the Naishadha. This is regarded by Eastern Writers 

 as an important article in ornamental compositions : It was not therefore 



* Orientals speak of the hare in the Moon as occidentals do of the man in the Moon. 



