Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

by Somadeva | 1924 | 1,023,469 words | ISBN-13: 9789350501351

This is the English translation of the Kathasaritsagara written by Somadeva around 1070. The principle story line revolves around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the Vidhyādharas (‘celestial beings’). The work is one of the adoptations of the now lost Bṛhatkathā, a great Indian epic tale said to have been composed by ...

Notes

- Sub-Contents: (+ / -)

The making of cakes as part of magical or religious ceremonies

Notes on the “magical articles” motif in folk-lore

Notes on the entering of another’s body

The “entrapped suitors” motif

Notes on the motif of laughter

Notes on Śrāddha and the rite of feeding the spirit

Notes on sign language (the method of communicating by signs )

Note on the Gāndharva form of marriage

Note on the magical properties of blood

Note on the Paiśāchī language

Note on grateful and ungrateful snakes

Note on the Garuḍa bird

Notes on poison detectors

Note on the “external soul” motif

The identification of Kaṭāha

Note on the “chastity index” motif

Notes on the motif of precocious children

Notes on the story of Devasmitā

Note on deisul (deiseal) or circumambulation

Note on the interpretation of bodily marks (sāmudrika)

The ten stages of love-sickness

Notes on the story of Sunda and Upasunda

Note on polyandry

Note on Ṭiklī, Tilaka and the uses of vermilion or red lead

Notes on the “act of truth” motif in folk-lore

Identification and origins of Pāṭaliputra

Notes on vampires

Notes on divine and intelligent horses

Note on Rāhu and eclipses

Note on the bridge built by Rāma (Adam’s bridge)

Note on magical circles (maṇḍala)

The motif of overhearing conversations

Notes on the “message of death” motif

Notes on nudity in magic ritual

Notes on women whose love is scorned

Notes on the throbbing of the right eye

Notes and etymology of the word “harem”

Note on precautions observed in the birth-chamber in ancient India

Note on thieves and the history of stealing

Note on the motive of old age

The legend of the huge fish

Note on vile magical practices

Note on Tantric rites in the Mālatī Mādhava

Note on mounting giant birds

The “forbidden chamber” motif

Note on gambling in ancient India

Note on the practice of self-mutilation

Note on the story of the Prince and the Merchant’s son

Notes on the story of Kīrtisenā

Note on cross-roads

Notes on automata and “contrivances of magic machines”

Notes on the story of Hariśarman

The use of a chowry (fly-whisk) in ancient India

Notes on unfavourable or bad omens

Note on the “ichneumon” motif

Note on the story of King Prasenajit

Note on the “pretended husband” motif

The belief of the lighting of a lamp or candle

Note on serpent-worship

Note on the history of Alchemy

Note on the “hand of glory”

Note on the “act of truth” motif in Folk-lore

The significance of horns in mythology and folk-lore

The “magic circle” motif

The “magical conflict” motif

Note on the “magic obstacles” motif

Note on the “impossibilities” motif (a)

Note on the Aśvins (twin deities of light)

Note on regrowing of the head

Note on the “letter of death” motif

Note on the Aśvamedha, or horse-sacrifice

Note on the power of entering another’s body

The history of human sacrifice

Note on animals and omens

The significance of moles on the human body

Note on “women whose love is scorned”

Note on Badarī, Badarikā or Badarinātha

Note on fate or destiny

Note on the practice of dharnā

Note on Kali and Dvāpara and their connection with the dice

Note on the story of king Sumanas

Note on the Pañcatantra of Somadeva

Note on the “impossibilities” motif (b)

Note on the story of the Monkey and the Porpoise

The motif of “breaking through the wall” and “digging a tunnel”

Note on the “grateful animals” motif

Choosing a King by divine will

Note on nail-marks and tooth-bites

The legend of Indra cutting off the wings of the mountains

Note on the story of Vāmadatta

Note on the doctrine of māyā

On the connection of Tantra with Black magic

Note on the magic string

Note on the magic seed

Note on the Must (Musth) condition of elephants

The use of riddles in eastern fiction

Note on the effect of the moonlight

Food-taboo in the Underworld

On the repeating of prayers, verses or charms backwards

Notes on the river Mandākinī

Note on the sacred thread

On the glories of Gayā (Gayāmāhātmya)

The history of sandalwood in ancient India

Note on Arjuna and the Narmadā

The use of turmeric (kuṅkuma) in ancient India

The festival of the Winter Solstice

The seven jewels of the Cakravartin

Note on dreams at the end of the night

Note on the five ordeals as given in the Yājñavalkya-smṛti

Last Updated: 28 June, 2019

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website:

Donate on Patreon

Buy me a Coffee

|

Why? | More options...