The Delight of Persian Illumination

Folio 24

For the various hells naraka, the term Dozakh is used original: "narakeṣu dozakhe," from Persian "Dozakh". A resident of hell narka or one who is hellish is called Dozakhi original: "dozaphī," from Persian "Dozakhī". A river or a flowing body of water is called Daryav original: "daryāvaḥ," from Persian "Daryā", and this same term Daryav is also used to describe the sea or ocean samudra. A moat or defensive ditch parikhā is called a Khandaq original: "khaṃdake," from Arabic/Persian "Khandaq". A pit or deep hole garta is mentioned, as is a chain zañjīr original: "zañjīra," from Persian "Zanjīr" used for binding.

For that which is pure or stainless nirmala, and for that which is deep or profound gambhīra, terms are provided. A small boat tumro possibly a regional variant is known as a Kishti original: "kīśtī," from Persian "Kashtī", while a larger vessel or ship pauṇe is called a Jahaz original: "jahāja," from Arabic/Persian "Jahāz". A journey to a foreign land videśa is called a Safar original: "sapharo," from Arabic/Persian "Safar".

A boatman or sailor nāvika is known by the name Mallah original: "mallāhoṃ," from Arabic/Persian "Mallāh". In the context of preparation, the term Tayyar original: "tayāre," from Arabic/Persian "Tayyār" is used for being ready. Among small creatures, a worm kṛmi is called a Kirm original: "kiramaḥ," from Persian "Kirm". An ant pipīlikā is referred to as Mor original: "moraḥ," from Persian "Mūr"; note that in Sanskrit "mora" usually means peacock, but here it matches the Persian for ant. A scorpion vṛścika is known as a Kaj-dum original: "kaja tuma," from Persian "Kaj-dum," literally meaning "crooked tail". A fish matsya is called Mahi original: "māhī," from Persian "Māhī". Reference is also made to a leech jalaukā and a stepped well or water tank vāpī.

Regarding the plant world, moss or algae śevāla and the lotus padma are mentioned. A tree is designated by the term Darakht original: "darakhatta," from Persian "Dirakht". Among the parts of plants, fruit phala is called Mewa original: "mevā," from Persian "Miva". A forest or wilderness vanene is called a Jangal original: "jaṃgalave," from Persian "Jangal". For the root mūla and the leaf patra, the Persian term Barg original: "barage," from Persian "Barg" is used. A branch is a śākhā.

A garden or orchard keli-vane is famously known as a Bagh original: "bāga," from Persian "Bāgh". A flower puṣpa is called a Gul original: "gulana," from Persian "Gul". Mention is also made of a flower garden and the thorn kaṇṭaka found upon the tree.