1839.] 



Essay on Telugu Literature. 



I did not at first recommend it to the reader because portions of it 

 are rather above the reach of a beginner : but it has one strong recom- 

 mendation. For it faithfully reflects the Hindu mind and acquaints us 

 with all its qualities whether amiable or objectionable.* In this respect 

 every page of the Dwipada Ramayan is worth perusal: and, whether 

 in this or other compositions, the reader should make himself thorough- 

 ly acquainted with the Dwipada style of poetry before he proceeds to the 

 padya cdvyam. He may find this counsel beneficial though his native 

 assistants may recommend another course. 



The following extract from the Aranya Canda or 3d book of this 

 version of the Ramayan gives the tale of Sita, the heroine, being stolen 

 from her lord by the giant. Ravanasura. To delude the hero, Rama, 

 Marichi (a giant) assumes th^e appearance of a golden deer. The poet 

 describes its radiance, and then proceeds as follows : — 



86- " The fairy hind was ofextraordinary beauty : as it rambled about, 

 " chewing the cud, with a tail as freakish as that of the peacock ; the 

 " whiteness of the belly gleamed through the bowers ; again its reddish 

 " sides glistered like amber; when vaulting it looked like the rainbow — • 

 " or, as it sprung up it flashed like lightning. The forest herds of deer 

 " were startled at its singular apperiance : for it lay as in ambush and 

 " its form was suddenly seen now Jiere now there: one while it drew 

 " near, and then as though startled it bounded aloft, rushing through 

 " the thickets — then with a leap it toc& refuge in a bower. One while 

 " it put its nose to the ground wagging its tail and pricking its ears at 

 " distant sounds. Then it pricked one quivering ear and flew like the 

 " wind : then it reposed on a grassy spot: then rising it drew near the 

 u hermitage, it scratched its ear with one foot and shook the high flow- 

 " ering boughs with its horns so as to pour the blossoms on the soil." 



While it thus strayed among the bowers of the recluses, the blooming 

 Sita with tinkling anklets came out of the arbour to collect the opening 



* The Ramayan written in couplets is more faithful than other versions in its ad- 

 herence to the Sanscrit text. I may mention one remarkable instance. In the 129th 

 chapter of the sixth book (Yuddha Canda) is a long description of worship oflered by 

 Rama and his companions to the lingam, or symbol of Siva, to atone for the sin of 

 slaying Ravanasa : who is declared to be a sinful wretch and meriting death, but his 

 being a bramin renders it a mortal sin to slay him. This legend inculcates the adora- 

 tion of Siva ; and likewise shews that the sin of braminicide may be removed. This 

 passage occurs in Ranga Natha's version, and also in the Telugu Adhyatma Ramayan ; 

 though not in every manuscript : and the entire legend is omitted in Bhascara's and in 

 two other versions, and is even wanting in the Sanscrit copies which we possess in Sou- 

 thern India. Now the Ramayan is more highly honoured than any other poem ; it is 

 considered as absolute scripture ; and yet sectarian bigotry has led Bramins thus to 

 mutilate a document which they profess to hold in the highest veneration, 



