________________
140
THE SPEECH ON THE GODS
ples, after the theory and method of applying it for the purpose of elucidating the meaning and origin of the roots has been made sufficiently clear, we will add a few more only ; they are ; Su, to generate, to produce; Cuk, to shine, Mu, to shut up, to enclose; Mi,' to go; Bu, to be, to grow; Bars to carry; Kant, to cut ; An, to breathe ; Spark, to scatter; Da, to distribute; and Greek, Ge, the earth. A little thought will sirow what idea was intended to be imbodied in these words.
Reflecting on the extreme sensibility to sound which this intuitive race possessed, a sensiblity which enabled them to find words exactly suited to express the spreading of tree branches and the boiling of water, we cannot help wondering, were they similarly affected by sounds external to themselves, and whether the call of birds or the hoarser cries of animals conveyed any meaning to their ear. The words which they employed to express colour, though, naturely enough lesser evidence remains of this, show that, for every hue they could find a note of corresponding value on the plane of sound, Rand Manswering respectively red and violet, and each letter between to some shade of colour ranging from one to the other of the two mentioned. A study of the forms used in the primeval alphabets, and as syinbols, would show that they recognized something more in nature than inere matter, that the tracing of flower and leaf, and the starry arch of heaven, and all beautiful things, were full to them of deep spiritual significance, which the more intellectual scientists of our time cannot see,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
