From Kaki

Abstract:Like many Khmer, Lao, and Thai verse novels of the period, Kaki (pronounced "Kakey") is framed as a past life of the Buddha; however, the story is racier than typical Buddhist fare and is not found in the scriptures. It tells of a complex entanglement of lovers centered around the beautiful Kaki, Brahmadatta's queen. The Buddha-to-be, a half-eagle/half-man or garuda, is endowed with special powers and can transform himself into a handsome youth. King Ang Duong has long been celebrated for his efforts to revive Khmer arts and literature. In the prologue, omitted here, he notes that he translated this novel into Khmer in 1815, while exiled to Bangkok as a young prince. The portion printed here is about a fifth of the whole text and includes the scene in which Kaki and the garuda fall in love. A gandharva is a type of demigod, sometimes depicted as a celestial musician. A babil (pronounced "popil") is a Cambodian ritual object that is used as a candleholder and is the size and shape of a hand mirror. Airavan, the mount of Indra, king of the gods, is usually depicted as a three-headed elephant. tw