ES ON NALA.

[Footnote 1: p. 3. l. 4. _Over, over all exalted_. This repetition is
in the original.]

[Footnote 2: p. 3. l. 5. _Holy deep-read in the Vedas_. All the
perfections, which, according to the opinions and laws of the Hindus,
distinguish the sovereign from the rest of mankind, are here ascribed
to the hero of the poem. The study of the Vedas must be cultivated by
the three superior castes, and ensures both temporal and eternal
beatitude. In the laws of Menu it is said, "Greatness is not conferred
by years, not by grey hairs, not by wealth, not by powerful kindred."
The divine sages have established this rule--Whoever has read the
Vedas and their Angas, he is among us great. (JONES'S MENU, ii. 254).
Of all these duties, answered Bhrigu, the principal is to acquire from
the Upanishads a true knowledge of the one supreme God: that is the
most exalted of all sciences, because it ensures immortality, (xii.
85). For in the knowledge and adoration of one God, which the Veda
teaches, all the rules of good conduct before-mentioned in order, are
fully comprised, (ib. 87.)

The study of the Vedas is considered the peculiar duty of kings, (vii.
43). The Upanishads are doctrinal extracts of the Vedas.

The Indian law demands in the most rigorous manner from every one of
noble birth, the mastery over the _senses_. Menu says, c. ii. 93, "A
man by the attachment of his organs to sensual pleasure, incurs
certain guilt; but having wholly subdued them, he thence attains
heavenly bliss. v. 94. Desire is never satisfied with the enjoyment of
desired objects; as the fire is not appeased with clarified butter; it
only blazes more vehemently. v. 97. To a man contaminated by
sensuality, neither the Vedas, nor liberality, nor sacrifices, nor
strict observances, nor pious austerities, ever procure felicity." The
control over every kind of sensual indulgence is enjoined upon the
king. vii. 44. Day and night must he strenuously exert himself to gain
complete victory over his own organs; since that king alone whose
organs are completely subdued, can keep his people firm to their duty.

Skill in the management of horses and chariots, which in a subsequent
part of the poem is of great importance to Nala, is often mentioned as
a praiseworthy accomplishment of kings. In the Ramayana, for instance,
in the description of king Dasaratha, which likewise contains the
above-mentioned traits of character--"In this city Ayodhya was a king
name