mahabali

PRESTOR JOHN, THE KALABHRAS AND MAHABALI ; WHAT IS ONAM ALL ABOUT? M. M. NINAN
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Mandeville on Prester John
His description of India is given in the chapter xviii
“CHAPTER XVIII
Of the customs of Isles about Ind.
Of the difference betwixt Idols and Simulacres.
Of three manner growing of Pepper upon one tree.
Of the Well that changeth his odour every hour of the day; and that is marvel
In Ind be full many diverse countries. And it is clept Ind, for a flom that runneth
throughout the country that is clept Ind. In that flom men find eels of thirty foot
long and more. And the folk that dwell nigh that water be of evil colour, green
and yellow.
In Ind and about Ind be more than 5000 isles good and great that men dwell in,
without those that he inhabitable, and without other small isles. In every isle is
great plenty of cities, and of towns, and of folk without number. For men of Ind
have this condition of kind, that they never go out of their own country, and
therefore is there great multitude of people. But they be not stirring ne movable,
because that they be in the first climate, that is of Saturn; and Saturn is slow
and little moving, for he tarryeth to make his turn by the twelve signs thirty
year. And the moon passeth through the twelve signs in one month. And for
because that Saturn is of so late stirring, therefore the folk of that country that
be under his climate have of kind no will for to move ne stir to seek strange
places. And in our country is all the contrary; for we be in the seventh climate,
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