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 Chap. II.J

HINDOO MYTHOLOGY.

35

Indra. — From Moore's Hindoo Pantheon.

Indra, the god of the firmament, holds a prominent place in the Rig Veda, a.d. and, like Agni, forms the subject of a large portion of its hymns. He is supposed to preside over atmospheric phenomena generally, and more especially over indra. those productive of humidity. Hence the formation of rain forms part of his peculiar province, and he is sometimes seen engaged in sending down fertilizing showers, while a cloud, represented as a demon, combats his benevolent intentions by refusing to yield up its moisture. In his personified form Indra appears as a white man, seated on the elephant called Airavat, which is fabled to have been produced at the churning of the ocean. His wife, Indrani, usually accom- panies him, but is sometimes represented separately, sitting on a lion with a child in her arms. Their heaven, called Swergra,

situated on Mount Meru, is one of the masterpieces of Viswakarma, the archi- tect of the gods, and so glistens with gold and gems as to outshine the radiance of a dozen of suns. In connection with Indra may be mentioned Pavana, the god of the winds. They are held to be independent divinities, but it is very difficult to assign distinct provinces to them, and prevent them from encroaching on each other. Pavana is represented riding on a deer or antelope, and holding in one hand a pennon, and in another an arrow. Deities of an inferior grade called Maruts, who are, in fact, only the winds personified, are his ministering servants, or rather perhaps the common messengers of all the higher gods. From the gods personifying the elements of fire and air, we natm-ally pass to another element, that of water, personified by a god of the name of Varuna, who may be regarded as the Indian Neptune, and is represented as a four -armed, white man, riding on a sea animal, Avith a rope in one hand and a club in another. He is much worshipped by fishermen ; and being supposed capable of sending rain, is supplicated by husbandmen in seasons of drought.

The heavenly bodies form an important class of Hindoo deities. The first place of course belongs to Surya, the sun, and Soma, the moon, in regard to both of which many wild fictions are current. Surya, however, has suffered by a kind of competition with Agni, who, by Surya. appropriating most of his attributes, has left him comparatively Httle room for separate agency. In the usual representation Siu-ya, in the form of a crowned

Varuka.

From Coleinan'd Hindoo Mythology.