of the Hindus. No single work except the Bible has
such influence in affording moral instruction in Christian lands as
the _Maha-bharata_ and the _Ramayana_ in India. They have been the
cherished heritage of the Hindus for three thousand years; they are
to the present day interwoven with the thoughts and beliefs and moral
ideas of a nation numbering two hundred millions.

ROMESH DUTT.

University College, London,
_13th August 1898_.

GLOSSARY OF SANSCRIT WORDS

ABHISHAVA, a religious rite.
ABBHISHEKA, sacred ablution.
ACHARYA, preceptor.
AJYA, a form of sacrificial offering.
APRAMATTA, without pride or passion.
APSARAS, celestial nymphs.
ARGHYA, an offering due to an honoured guest.
ARYA, noble.
ASRAM, hermitage.
ASURA, Titans, enemies of gods.
ASWAMEDHA, sacrifice of the horse.

BAIDURYA, lapiz-lazuli.
BRAHMACHARIN, one who has taken vows and lives an austere life.

CHANDAN, sandalwood, the paste of which is used for fragrance and coolness.
CHOWRI or CHAMARI, the Himalayan yak, whose bushy tail is used as a fan.

DAKSHINA, gifts made at sacrifices.
DASAPUTRA, son of a slave.
DEVA, gods.
DEVADARU (_lit._ heavenly tree), the Indian pine.
DEVA-KANYA, celestial maid.
DEVA-RISHI, celestial saint.
DHARMA-RAJA, monarch by reason of piety and virtue.
DIKSHA, initiation into a sacred rite.

GANDHARVA, a class of aerial beings; celestial singers.
GANDIVA, Arjun's bow.
GHEE or GHRITA, clarified butter.
GURU, preceptor.

HOMA, a sacrificial rite or offering.
HOWDA, the seat on an elephant.

IDA, a form of sacrificial offering.

KANKA, a bird of prey.
KHADIRA, an Indian tree.
KIMPURUSHA, a class of imaginary beings.
KINNARA, a class of imaginary beings with the face of a horse.
KOKIL, an Indian bird answering to the English cuckoo, and prized
for its sweet note.

MAGHA, a, winter month.
MAHUT or MAHAMATRA, elephant driver
MANTRA, hymn or incantation.
MLECHCHA, outer barbarian. All who were not Hindus were designated
by this name.
MUNI, saint, anchorite.

NAGA, dweller of the snake-world; also a tribe in Eastern India.
NISHADA, an aboriginal race.
NISHKA, gold pieces of specified weight, used as money and also as
ornament.

PANKHA (from Sanscrit _paksha_, wing), a fan.
PISHACHA, ghost or goblin.
PITRI-MEDHA, sacrifice and offering due to departed ancestors.
PRAVARGYA, a religious rite.
PURANA, a class of religious works.
PURUSHA, the soul.

RAJASUYA, imperial sacrifice.
RAKSH