43 
1872.] J. Beames — Translations from Chand Bardai's Epic. 
their learned predecessors. Put me and my contemporaries as low as you 
will in the scale of scholarship, yet it must be admitted that we are making 
a beginning, upon which the better furnished scholars of the future will 
perhaps be not ashamed to build. 
1st Selection . — The OPENnra of the poem. Stanzas 1 — 13. 
First, Satak metre. Om ! — 
1. First reverently bowing, bowing, the poet adores the feet of the 
Gurus. 
(Taking) refuge at the feet of the highest, the afforder of support, 1 the 
husband of the opulent Lachhi ; 
(Who) stands the lord of vice and of virtue, consuming the wicked, the 
lord of heaven, blessing with success ; 
(Who is as) sandalwood to the life of living beings moving on the earth, 
lord of all, bestower of blessings. 
2. Vathua metre. 
First the very auspicious root is to be celebrated. 2 
Irrigated with the water of the truth of tradition, 
Religion, (like) a fair tree with one trunk sprung up 
With thrice six branches rejoicing the three worlds, 
„ Leaves (of various) colours, leaves (like) mouths, there were* 
Colour of flowers, and weight of fruit (it had) 
Speech unfailing, princely, 
Rejoicing with fragrance the sight and touch 
A’san tree of hope to the parrot (-like) poet. 
3. Kavit. 
First having indeed proclaimed a blessing 
Having honored 4 the sacred writings, (whose) beginning (is) the Veda, 
(Whose) three-fold branches, in (all) four directions 
(Are) possessed of colour, and leaves (like) letters 
Religion having sprouted (out through) the bark 
Flowered fair in (all) four directions 
Its fruit, (virtuous) deeds, 8 springing out 
Immortal, dwelling amidst mortals 
(Firm as) counsel of kings, (or as) the earth, the wind shakes it not 
Giving to life the flavour of nectar, 
The Kali (yuga) affixes no stain to it 
Containing truth, wisdom, and (perpetual) freshness. 
4. Kavit. 
Taking possession of the earth (like) a garden plot 
Irrigating it with the fullness of the Yeda, as with water 
Placing in it good seed 6 
Upsprung the shoot of knowledge 
