d Dusharutha, descended from Ikshwaku, perfectly skilled in the
Veda and Vedangas, prescient, of great ability, beloved by all his
people, a great charioteer, constant in sacrifice, eminent in sacred
duties, a royal sage, nearly equalling a Muhurshi, famed throughout
the three worlds, mighty, triumphant over his enemies, observant of
justice, having a perfect command of his appetites." CAREY and
MARSHMAN'S translation, sect. vi. p. 64.]

[Footnote 3: p. 3. l. 5. _--in Nishadha lord of earth_. I have accented
this word not quite correctly Nishadha, in order to harmonise with the
trochaic flow of my metre. It appears to be the same as Nishadha-rashtra
and Nishadha-desa. See Wilford's list of mountains, rivers, countries;
from the Puranas and other books. Asiatic Researches, vol. viii. BOPP.]

[Footnote 4: p. 3. l. 6. _Loving dice, of truth unblemished_. The
Sanscrit word Akshapujah is differently interpreted. Kosegarten
renders it in a good sense as "fearing heaven." He argues that it is
the poet's object in this passage to describe the good qualities of
Nala, and that he does not become a gamester till possessed by the
demon Kali. Bopp gives the sense in the text, which seems to connect
it with the history of king Yudishthira, to whom it is addressed.]

[Footnote 5: p. 3. l. 7. _Sense subdued_. The highest notion of this
favourite perfection of Indian character, may be given in the words of
the author of the Bhagavat-Gita: "The highest perfection to which the
soul can attain, is action without passion. The mind is to be entirely
independent of external objects; to preserve its undisturbed serenity
it should have the conscious power of withdrawing all its senses
within itself, as the tortoise draws all its limbs beneath in shell."
Action is necessary, but action must produce no emotion--no sensation
on the calm spirit within; whatever may be their consequences, however
important, however awful, events are to be unfelt, and almost
unperceived by the impassive mind; and on this principle Arjuna is to
execute the fated slaughter upon his kindred without the least feeling
of sorrow or compunction being permitted to intrude on the divine
apathy of his soul. Some of the images in which this passionless
tranquillity of the spirit is described, appear singularly beautiful:

As to th' unrais'd unswelling ocean flow the multitudinous streams,
So to the soul serene, unmov'd--flow in the undisturbing lusts.

And then agai