Occult Literature
The Baital Escapes into the Darkness
Griset's winged Baital springs away from Raja Vikram and his son into a night crowded with grotesque creatures. In the framing narrative, the king repeatedly carries the spirit from its tree while listening to tales that demand a judgement; his answers give the Baital opportunities to escape and start the ordeal again. This design serves as the frontispiece of the 1893 Memorial edition, presenting their recurring contest before the stories begin.
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Citation
Ernest Griset. "The Baital Escapes into the Darkness" [editorial title]. In Vikram and the Vampire, Richard F. Burton. Memorial edition, edited by Isabel Burton, 1893, 1893, Tylston and Edwards. Source scan leaf 10. Lumitheca. /gallery/image/vikram-baital-flight
Source details
Editorial title and description. Source details from the Library catalogue.
The frontispiece placement is specific to this edition. Neither its caption nor the surrounding frame justifies identifying every small creature as a particular named deity.
Sources
From the book
Vikram and the VampireRichard F. Burton1893More from this book
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Ernest Griset. The Baital Escapes into the Darkness. Vikram and the Vampire. Scan leaf 10. Lumitheca. https://lumitheca.com/gallery/image/vikram-baital-flight