The size of a pocket book, this manuscript most likely was carried by the jyotiṣī (astrologer) for consultation. It deals with the auspicious and inauspicious consequences of encountering different birds and animals. The usual term for omen in Sanskrit śakuna means "bird" as well as "omen". Omens have played and continue to play a significant role in people's lives, with many quite attentive to the significance of various animal sounds and movements, especially bird calls. Manuscript is incomplete.
Language:
Braj
Provenance:
Formerly owned by W. Norman Brown, given by his estate to the University of Pennsylania Libraries after 1975.
Handbooks and manuals; miniatures (paintings); Manuscripts, Sanskrit -- 18th century
Physical Description:
1 item (7 leaves) : paper; 11 x 15 cm
Geographic Subject:
India
Rights:
https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Notes:
Title supplied by cataloger.; Written in 6-9 lines per leaf.; 7 leaves.; Significant syllables, words, or phrases highlighted in red throughout; text surrounds 24 highly detailed paintings of various sizes. Paintings are of landscapes with different animals, especially birds, but also lions, donkeys, dogs and other animals.; Previously had separate folios and is now bound on left side as a codex with blue European, marbled paper.; In Braj (Devanāgarī)
Physical Location:
Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Manuscripts, Ms. Coll. 390
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