80 
MAITHTL CTIRESTOMATHY. 
[Extra No. 
11. The cultivators knew the approach of drought, and exclaimed, 
‘ Fate is against us; he has turned his face from us, and has cut off the 
paddy by the root. 
12. “Neither the rice in the muddy low lands, nor the mcirua on the 
high lands has grown ; nor has sama grown. Gambhari and gadari 
have dried up in the field. God indeed has turned aside his face. 
13. “In the world of mortals who can save us, where can we go, 
whither can we fly ? Hell itself is dried up. There is no moisture on the 
soil, and even heaven has taken fire. 
14. “ Shame on the life of king Indra, who caught hold of the rains 
and stopped them. Living creatures became distraught upon the earth. 
They lost all pride in themselves. 
15. “ Spring crops, mustard, mu'g (Phaseolus mungo ), and china 
(Panicum italicum ), not one has sprouted. In house and house are men 
and women mourning. Now indeed are our days woful.” 
16. On the other hand all the rich men were pleased in heart, and 
stored up many heaps of grain. They drew rupees into their houses in 
armfuls, for the ser of food was now dear. 
17. Some who had cowries bought a field of kurthi (Dolichos 
biflorus), or even flesh. But how many held a continual fast, and only 
saw food in dreams ! 
18. How many men united together and bought a field of faner 
(a tall species of millet , and a food given to cattle), while the poor men 
sat and looked on! In the whole world there came like medicine to men, 
rahar , and Indian-corn. 
19. Truly a dreadful famine fell in Tirhut, for so did the winds blow. 
In house and house men and women tossed into their mouths parched 
Indian-corn, and thought themselves happy. 
20. All the land-owners and bankers had in many houses heaps of 
grain. But, to deceive the people, they gazed about with faces like those 
of poor men. 
21. The shop-keepers saw the times, and were at their wits’ ends, 
and in terror closed their doors. The cities were full of empty shops, and 
all the grain markets were empty too. 
22. Men’s bodies were all shrivelled up, and their very speech was 
halting. How many things they had to bear! Men and women ceased 
adornino- themselves and sold their ornaments. 
O 
23 and 24. Mangtikds (forehead ornaments), Ichutis (ear ornaments), 
and tarkis (ear-rings), nakmunnis (small nose-rings) were no longer seen 
in their proper places. Katsari (necklets), bichhia (toe-rings), jhim- 
jhimis (tinkling toe ornaments), bajus and bd'ks (two kinds of armlets), 
chandrahars , haikals , sikaris (three kinds of necklaces), and ghamauris 
