Hitopadesha (English translation)
The Book of Good Counsels
by Sir Edwin Arnold | 1861 | 33,335 words
The English translation of the Hitopadesha: a work of high antiquity, and extended popularity. The prose is doubtless as old as our own era; but the intercalated verses and proverbs compose a selection from writings of an age extremely remote....
Introduction
When the next day of instruction was come, the King's sons spake to the Sage, Vishnu-Sarman.
"Master," said they, "we are Princes, and the sons of Princes, and we earnestly desire to hear thee discourse upon War."
"I am to speak on what shall please you," replied Vishnu-Sarman. "Hear now, therefore, of 'War,' whose opening is thus:—
'Between the peoples of Peacock and Swan[1]
War raged; and evenly the contest ran,
Until the Swans to trust the Crows began.'
'And how was all that?' asked the sons of the Rajah. Vishnu-Sarman proceeded to relate—
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
The peacock is wild in most Indian jungles. The swan (Sanscrit, hansa) is a species of flamingo of a white color, with markings of a golden yellow. The voice and gait of a beautiful woman are likened by the Hindoo poets to those of the "Hansa." It is the vehicle of the god Brahma.