To day's Prahelika

     In Sanskrit poetry there is a form of writing  known as Prahelika meaning a riddle, in which the writer gives some hints about an object and asks the readers to identify it. It is a sort of a Mind Game and is liked very much, as it tests the intelligence of the reader.

अस्थि   नाSस्ति   शिरो  नाSस्ति  बाहुरस्ति  निरन्गुलिः
नास्ति  पादद्वयम गाढमंगलमालिन्गति स्वयं

Asthi  naasti shiro naasti baahurasti nirangulah
Naasti paaddwayam gaadgmangmaalingati swayam'

It does not have any bones and a head. It has arms but without any fingers, is without both legs but tightly embraces itself.

Answer to yesterday's riddle :-   The answer is a Needle with a thread.  Because a needle has one small hole at its head through which thread is passed (ek chakshu i.e.one eyed). A crow is also supposed to have only one eye**) A needle also likes to pierce the cloth, akin to living inside a hole like a snake. The size of the needle also increases and decreases depending upon the length of the thread like the Sea and the Moon

** In Hindu mythology there is a tale that Jayant, son of Indra (the King of gods) by transforming himself as a crow hit the feet of Sita, the wife of Lord Rama. Angered at this, Rama threw a twig like an arrow at Jayant. To save himself from this arrow Jayant flew away but the arrow followed him where ever he went and no body came to his help. Ultimately he surrendered himself before Rama and begged forgiveness.Rama pardoned him but pierced one of his eyes. So it is said that since then a crow has only one eye that works.