shaik bidasaiu: A Malay Poem . 
4a 
lb Ddtang memambar suar&nla bhana 
Gam pariah siklian mulia dan hina. 
Saisi negri gun da guiana 
Membawa dirmia barang k&mana. 
I 7 Bagicdapiin sfdang dehadap orang 
Menlngarkan gam par seperti prang 
Bertitah b&ginda raja iang garbing 
Gampar mi apakah korang ? 
19 Demilah memngar titab baginda 
Berdatang silmbah suatu biduandah 
15 It came seizing, with a terrible cry. 
Alf were in commotion, high and low, 
The .Whole land, in a tumult of consternation, 
Betook themselves whatsoever. 
1*7 The King, whilst in the presence of men, 
Heard an uproar as of war: 
Then enquired the Prince, the bold King, 
“ What is the cause of this uproar 
1 
19 When the words of the King were heard, 
A' certain Biduanda approached (and said) 
NOTES. 
&n&h chucha maharaja Rewana : maka Gurda Jltipun duduhlah i&h de- 
sana menchari makan. Adalah akan burong Gurda itu pada masa 
zaman Sri llama dan Handoman ia faiesa maso prang baniajuga ka- 
saktiannia. Maka segala benatang iang terbang dan iang melata berjalan 
debumi takut akan dik itu.” Although there is some confusion here res¬ 
pecting the ancestry of Gurda, it is clear that his original was Garuda or 
Gururu whomakes so considerable a figure in the mythological romances of 
the Hindus, as the impersonation of strength and swiftness, the bear¬ 
er of Yishnu, and from his frequently aiding the gods, as on the oc¬ 
casion alluded to in the History of Kedah. The Hindus generally 
represent him as a youth with the head and wings of a bird, and 
as the vehicle of Yishnu this is bis form; but he is also described 
as an adjutant, or a kite. The Malays have apparently drawn their 
idea of Gurda fron the latter bird, for they represent him as a bur¬ 
ong Iang or kite, with a long beak, two heads and four talons, and 
of a size so prodigious, that, when he flies, his shadow covers a whole 
country. The Hindus relate, that when Garuda burst from the egg in 
which he was hatched, his body reached heaven. The tdydng Idydng 
or paper kites, which the Malays (men and boys) delight at a cer¬ 
tain season in flying, have sometimes a garuda painted on them. 
Tine lfi. Literally , the whole contents of the couutry, 
„ ly. Biduanda , a life-guardman. 
