R
kshasas, daityas, yakshas, and asuras are demons and devils constantly at war with men and gods.
A sage or priest of special authority, particularly one of the “seven rishis ” who are priests of the gods and are identified with the stars of the Great Bear.
Yoga, mental concentration; lit, union. Yogi, one who practises yoga, an ascetic or hermit.
Dharma, righteousness, the established code of ethics.
A room set apart for an offended queen.
Guru, a teacher, especially in matters of religion and philosophy, here also of martial exercises.
“The pairs,” i.e. the pairs of opposites, pleasure, pain, &c., inseparable from life.
Lank, according to the usual view, Ceylon.
Swayamvara, choice of a husband from assembled suitors: see the story of Nala and Damayanti, page 356.
N
gas, lit. snakes—beings of semi-human, semi-serpent nature inhabiting the waters and underworld.
Gop
s, herd-girls.
For this episode see p. 157.
Deva, lit. a shining one, i.e. a god, other than the Supreme God.
A mythical bird, hereditary enemy of serpents (ngas).
See above, p. 18.
The Indian milk-churn is a stick round which a long rope is twisted, and pulled alternately from opposite ends. The rope itself holds up the stick in a vertical position, and the turning of it to and fro accomplishes the churning.
I.e., Venus, masculine in Hindu astrology. Also named Ushanas, as above.
The commencement of which Kali yuga was coincident with the Day of the death of Krishna.