ABSTRACT
This chapter explains to bring forward new evidence, derived from a recently-discovered Thai manuscript, to aid interpretation of known texts and to suggest a probable link between Thai, Cambodian, and, ultimately, Javanese and Balinese literature and ceremonial procedure in the context of the shadow-play. The shadow-play invocations are chanted at the opening of performance, in connexion with offerings made to the divinities, of whom the principal are iva and Viu, In DB Brahma and Indra are also mentioned; in DC also Brahma. The aim of the discussion of canto i, verses 58, which follows, am to strengthen this argument and to show that some of changes introduced into VN have had the effect of obscuring important indications of the connexion of Thai shadow-play invocations with the shadow-play elsewhere. The shadow-play is performed and it is said that the gods delight in watching any sort of contest so that sword and spear fights are a feature of ceremonies.
