Ancient Ceylon: An Account of the Aborigines and of Part of the Early Civilization |
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Page 53
... they will drink the clear water in a natural [ rock ] cistern , but will not drink the clear water of pools in the bed of a river or in forest hollows . If water is wanted at a stream , they scoop a little hollow in the sand , where ...
... they will drink the clear water in a natural [ rock ] cistern , but will not drink the clear water of pools in the bed of a river or in forest hollows . If water is wanted at a stream , they scoop a little hollow in the sand , where ...
Page 60
The twisted inner bark of two or three different trees is used for bowstrings , or where they are available the exceedingly tough fibres found in the long narrow leaves of a rock plant called Niyanda ( Sansievera zeylanica ) .
The twisted inner bark of two or three different trees is used for bowstrings , or where they are available the exceedingly tough fibres found in the long narrow leaves of a rock plant called Niyanda ( Sansievera zeylanica ) .
Page 63
Each man was his own armourer , found his own quartz stones , smashed off his own pieces from the native rock , just as he was able ; made use of the most service- able by coaxing off from them some extra thick edges .
Each man was his own armourer , found his own quartz stones , smashed off his own pieces from the native rock , just as he was able ; made use of the most service- able by coaxing off from them some extra thick edges .
Page 71
It hangs an immense white comb longitudinally under a sub- stantial branch of a tall tree , or high up in the face of a cliff , sheltered by overhanging rock . The Wanniyas have a belief that the next species of Bee does not permit the ...
It hangs an immense white comb longitudinally under a sub- stantial branch of a tall tree , or high up in the face of a cliff , sheltered by overhanging rock . The Wanniyas have a belief that the next species of Bee does not permit the ...
Page 72
In order to appease the Spirit of the rock , called Kande Yakā , ' the Demon of the Rock , ' and induce him not to cause or permit the climber to fall , they sing songs loudly [ I presume in his honour ] while engaged in the work .
In order to appease the Spirit of the rock , called Kande Yakā , ' the Demon of the Rock , ' and induce him not to cause or permit the climber to fall , they sing songs loudly [ I presume in his honour ] while engaged in the work .
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Common terms and phrases
according ancient Anuradhapura appears arrow believe belong bricks built called carried cave central century century B.C. Ceylon chiefs close coins cross dāgaba deity demons described district early evidently face fact feet five follows Forest four give given Gods half hand head hill holding holes inches India indicate inscription island Kandian kind king known later length lived lower means mentioned miles never northern offering original passed perhaps period person pieces played player position possibly present probably protection prove Province reference regarding represented reservoir rice rock round seen seven shape shows side similar Sinhalese sluice southern square stone symbol Tamil tank temple termed thick third Tissa tree turned usual Vaeddas village Wanniyas weight wide wihāra Yakā
Popular passages
Page 284 - The bricklayer, filling a golden dish with water, and taking some water in the palm of his hand, dashed it against the water (in the dish) ; a great globule, 'in the form of a coral bead, rose to the surface ; and he said, " I will construct it in this form.
Page 27 - Dominions there are many of them, that are pretty tame, and come and buy and sell among the people. The King once having occasion of an hasty Expedition against the Dutch, the Governour summoned them all in to go with him, which they did. And with their Bows and Arrows did as good service as any of the rest but afterwards when they returned home again, they removed farther in the Woods, and would be seen no more, for fear of being afterwards prest again to serve the King.
Page 202 - ... sick. 48. To the strong Rudra bring we these our songs of praise, to him the Lord of Heroes, with the braided hair, That it be well with all our cattle and our men, that in this village all be healthy and well-fed.
Page 108 - Before the sun above the dawning skies, *Tis time to reap ; and when they sink below The morn-illumined west, 'tis time to sow.*' Thus, in all ages, have the stars been observed by the husbandman, for
Page 299 - Buddha came to this country *, wishing to transform the wicked nagas, by his supernatural power he planted one foot at the north of the royal city, and the other on the top of a mountain 2, the two being fifteen yojanas apart.
Page 299 - ... the two being fifteen yojanas apart. Over the footprint at the north of the city the king built a large tope, 400 cubits high, grandly adorned with gold and silver, and finished with a combination of all the precious substances.
Page 115 - ... person marry one of the same family, even though the relationship was lost in remote antiquity. Such a; marriage is incest. The penalty for incest was death. Thus the daughter must marry either her father's sister's son, or her mother's brother's son, neither of whom would be of the same clan name. Failing these she may marry any of their name and should no such bridegroom be available marriage into a third family becomes necessary.
Page 121 - is to a great extent the colloquial Sinhalese tongue, but it is slightly changed in form and accent. Yet closely as it resembles the latter, these differences and the manner in which it is pronounced render it quite an unknown language when it is spoken to one who has not a special acquaintance with it. Besides this, the Vaeddas use their own terms for the wild animals and some other things about which they often find it necessary to converse. Such words are usually a form of Sinhalese, or admit...
Page 540 - The fifth caste among the Indians consists of the warriors, who are second in point of numbers to the husbandmen, but lead a life of supreme freedom and enjoyment. They have only military duties to perform. Others make their arms, and others supply them with horses, and they have others to attend on them in the camp, who take care of their horses, clean their arms, drive their elephants, prepare their chariots, and act as their charioteers. As long as they are required to fight they...
Page 576 - O true believers, surely wine, and lots, and images, and divining arrows are an abomination of the work of Satan; therefore avoid them, that ye may prosper. Satan seeketh to sow dissension and hatred among you, by means of wine and lots, and to divert you from remembering God, and from prayer; will ye not therefore abstain from them...