This is one of the tales, says Crooke, of the grateful Animal cycle, for
which see Köhler and Crooke.
“_Sakhi._”—From the Arabic word, “sakhi,” meaning liberal, generous.
“_Kallundar._”—From the Arabic word, “kallundar,” a kind of monk who
deserts the world, wife, and friends, and travels about with a shaven
head and beard. They belonged to a sect of the Kadiri Fakirs, akin to
the Sufis, and do not refuse to take “murids” or followers; but the
Sufis only tolerate them.
“_Ātā._”—A Hindustani word, meaning flour, or meal.
“_Chāpāti._”—Also a Hindustani word, meaning thin cakes of unleavened
bread.
“_Snake and small lump of gold._”—“Old Folk-lore.” See Crooke’s
reference to Pipa the Brahmin, who gave offerings of milk to a serpent
on the banks of the Sampu, or “Snake Lake,” and was rewarded daily by
the serpent with two pieces of gold. In “Chinese Folk-lore” (Dennys) the
Emperor Hoti found a wounded serpent in his path, and having cured and
released it, was rewarded by a carbuncle of exceeding brightness which
the snake brought to him. The belief is, however, common to many races,
and the superstition has been extended to toads and fish, and even to
horses. Serpent worship is akin to this, but this subject is too
elaborate to refer to here.
“_Panj Pir._”—“Panj” is the Persian for Five, as the five fingers, and
with the Shiah Mahomedans it is a standard, and the extended hand is
carried on a pole during the Mahomedan Mohurrum Festival. As also the
Panjutun which are the five holy persons amongst Moslems, viz., Mahomed,
Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Hussain. Sentences from the Qorān are repeated
at this festival, and the Fakirs and others call out in chorus, “Yahoo!
Yahoo!” the Arabic for “Jehovah,” He who is; He who exists. (See
Qanoon-i-Islam.)
“_Dwelling beneath the River._”—This prevails widely through the
folk-lore of many countries. Moore in his “Manx Folk-lore” has a long
article upon “Dwellings under the Sea,” splendid cities, towers, gilded
minarets, and so forth.
“_Wells._”—In the original it is “Kooh,” in Sanscrit “Kooā,” in Persian
“Chāh.” These are wells from whence the water has to be obtained by
lowering a cord or rope. A well into which people descend by steps to
get water is termed “Bāolī,” from the Hindustani language.
In some of the “Koohs” it is a practice to place during winter, frozen
snow, and when this melts in the summer months, it is drawn out and sold
as “Aseah” water, and is much appreciated.
It is considered by the people to be a good action to build a well for
the general use of travellers, and a still further work of merit to
build a tank, for then both animals and birds can also enjoy the
benefit.
There are many witty sayings in regard to wells, but one or two must
suffice from this district.
In giving advice to another about to take an important step, the saying
is:
Têk thrup nâl kooh deh vitch viso
Hazah thrup nal na asô.