পৃষ্ঠা:Some Assamese proverbs.djvu/৮৭

WATEE SPRITE — WIDOWER. 77 Bits of fern, creepers, and leaves, He drinks water whilst eating rice, Are these the Bubjects of conversation ? This is a description of village talk, ^r^l ^^1 = odds and ends. 227. Water Sprite, Khal kh^ni jasinl ehapai lale. By digging a drain (near your house) you have brought tie evil spirit closer. The jashini is one of the du minorea of the Assamese. Although the " jasini " is supposed to be evilly disposed, apparently it does not require to he propitiated by offerings. The " jasini *' presides over tanks and drains. Stories are told by the villagers of men who had been pulled down into the depths of deep pools by " jasinis," and so drowned whilst bathing. 228. Water Sprite. Thalat thai Rajd pota pukhurir ba{n)kei Rajd. A king reigns on land, in hali-filled-up tanks reigns the water sprite. 'y^ (^A«0==Sanskrit 5^ (sthal), land, place. c^t^1 n$^^ (potd puJchuri)^ literally buried tank. What is meant generally by the expression, however, is a tank in process of being filled up. ^-^ [ba(n)k] is an evil spirit said to haunt swamps and marshes. 1heba{n)k, like the 'Will-o'-the-wisp,' leads people astray at night. 229. Widower. Jo(n)r puri baralar hat pdle hi. The torch burnt down to the hand of the widower that held it.