Page:The Hindu Pantheon.djvu/34

12 reader by an appropriate extract of the invocatory part of an inscription, on a plate of copper, found in the district of Gorakhpur. * The first verse Mr. Co LIBRoKE, in the note, refers, very properly no doubt, to SIvA. I should, I think, unassisted, have fancied it addressed tO-BRAHM, “the Universal Soul, who per‘vades all.” But as the production of a Saiva, MAHADEVA, (or SIVA,) would of course be addressed as THE DEITY. The three next verses are addressed to his three great powers—BRAHMA, VISHNU, and S1VA-; the latter propitiated in the person of his Sacti, or consort,. PA1IVATI.

"1. SALUTATION to the god, who is manifested in various forms, from the earth, to the performer of a sacrifice t; who is an universal soul, to be apprehended only by contemplation of saints, and who pervades all.

"2. SALUTATION to the unborn 1 god who makes the world’s production, its continuance, and ultimate destruction; and the recollection of whom,serves as a vessel of transport across the ocean of mundane ills.

"3. SALUTATION be to the husband of LAcs-RM1; to him who reposed on Sesha-Jj as on a couch; to him who is- VISHNU, extracting the thorns of the three worlds;. to him who appears in many shapes.

"4. SALUTATION be to the blessed foot of PARVAT?, which- destroyed the demon MA.HISHA, by whom alihad been.overcome; an.d.which gives felicity to the world.”

In this place I will introduce a-lengthened extract-from Mr. WILFORD’SDiSsertation on Egypt and the Nile, as an appropriate introduction and. illustration of sundry passages of our compilation4

"There is no subject, on which the modern Brakmans are more reserved, than when closely interrogated on the title of Deva, or God, which their most sacred books gwe to the Sun: they avoid a direct answer, have recourse to eva-


 * From the Asiatic Researches. Vol. IX. p. 407. Cóictma edition.

Siva manifested himself in eight material forms; viz, earth, water, fire, air, ether, the sun, the moon, and the person who performs a sacrifice.” COLEBROKE.

“Banue*, the Creator; himself not created, and therefore termed unborn.”—I&m. The reader will please to note, that BRAEMA, as well as the creative, has the conservative and destructive powers, likewise, attributed to him: in this instance the three coalesce in BRABMA, as in other instances they do simi. larly in other deities; of which the reader will have been apprised in the preceding pages. - jp

See PLATES 7. 8. 4

The destruction of the Astas, or demon, MAHT.SHA, a personification of wickedness, is a very popular legend, and is seen as often as any in pictures and casts. It was achieved by PARVATI, in her martial character of DURGA, or active virtue: the subject occurs very often in this work, (PLATES 34, 35. and others,) and will be particularly discussed hereafter. C