24
Nîti Literature of Burma.
slave, in danger is deliberative, in sleep affords delight, in appearance is becoming, in moments of anger forbearing—such a woman, say the wise, is most excellent; such a woman on the dissolution of her body will assuredly have a place in heaven.[1]
107.
A youthful woman who is blonde, has deer-like eyes and slender parts, fine hair and even teeth, and is well-conducted—she, though she be in a wicked family, is sure to be taken to wife.
108.
Of all seasons, autumn is the best; of all wives, she who is beautiful; of sons, the eldest is the best; of all directions, the north.[2]
109.
Whatever woman should wish to be a human being repeatedly in every existence, she should cherish her husband as Pâricârikâ[3] cherished Inda.[4]
- ↑ Or "in the deva world" (dive bhaveyya). Vide Hitopadeśa, iii, 27, 280.
- ↑ Because the north face of Mount Meru and the oceans and lands which lie in the same direction are of a golden colour. Silver is the prevailing colour on the east, on the south sapphire, and on the west coral.
- ↑ The wife of Inda (Indra), also known as Sujâtâ, having her abode with her husband on the Tâvatiṃsa heaven above Mount Meru.
- ↑ Inda or Indra was deposed from his godship by Gotama, and made archangel over the five lowest Kâmadevalokas. He is inferior to Mâra and Mahâbrahma. Like these, he exercises a beneficent influence over human affairs, and Buddhist literature is full with instances of his descent upon earth in some form of disguise. In Vedic times he is represented as the god of the firmament, and stands in the first rank among deities. He was of a ruddy colour and capable of assuming any shape. His weapon was the thunderbolt, which he carried in his right hand, and he is described as using arrows, a great hook, and a net, in which he entangled his enemies. The soma juice was his favourite drink, and, stimulated by it, he went forth to war and performed his numerous duties. In later Indian mythology Indra lost his first rank, and is now ranked with gods of second order. Among Buddhists Indra is considered as a "recording angel,' who, "four times a month, seated in his Hall of Justice called Sudhammâ, reads aloud from a golden book a record of good works done by men during the week."
