Kuragraphy of Names and Naming Practices in Nepal

Folklore: The legend of the Prasad Budha (an old fisherman)
Compilation: Kishor Subba (Limbu)

Long ago, Prasad Budha was a well-known fisherman. He runs his household through fishing. In the day, he wove nets and dried fish, and at night, he fished in the river.
One evening, as usual, Prasad Budha left home for fishing carrying a Khukuri (knife) and the Deli (a bamboo case to put fish in) tied around his waist, a fishing net on his shoulder, and a Chari (stick) in his armpit.

 

Local Fish Market of Khandbari Bazar (Weekly Market on Saturday)
Source: Kishor, Fieldwork-2019

When Prasad Budha reached the river, he gathered some firewood, set it on fire, burned incense, and worshipped the river dwellers' supernatural powers, killing their eyes. That may help catch more fish when they cannot see the net. He recites some chants, such as "Oh god of the river, Oh god of the jungle, you are the king of the river, you are the king of the jungle, please help me to catch big fish tonight," and the like. He blew sand on the fishing net... He then launched his fishing net into the river.He used his Chari to catch fish that had become entangled in his net.

Prasad Budha had the impression that something was giving him a sign somewhere higher up than where he was fishing.Prasad Budha observed carefully, but there was nothing at all, and all things are as normal. Then he got five to seven small fish in his net in the first shot. He used to go fishing, and something kept giving him the sign from a certain distance forward, where he couldn't see anything.He fished for a long time but only managed to catch one fish.

Then Prasad Budha decided to take a rest for a while. He set a fire under a rock shelter and rested on stones. While he was in the dream, he felt that someone was pulling firewood. Then he takes a turn and rests again. He felt that someone was pulling the firewood. When Prasad Budha turns on his eyes, a dwarf named Oldman is sitting by the fire. On the fire, the dwarf Oldman was smoking and grilling fish.What the hell is this? Then Prasad Budha grabbed burning firewood and delivered a strong charge to the dwarf old men, but in the meantime, Prasad Budha got a strong hit on his ears. Prasad Budha saw stars in the sky through the pain. The old dwarf was walking downwards to the river when Prashad Budha opened his eyes.

After that, Prasad Budha was deaf and dumb.

A Necklace of Gold to the Listeners!

A Flower Necklace for the Storyteller!

This story will go to heaven, and it will come

(Source: Sangam Yakkha, Pachkhapan Municipality - 6, Sankhuwasabha, Nepal)