(who is usually invoked), or any other deity whom he then names, instead of Lakshmi.

"May the goddess, who is the Lakshmi of all beings, and resides among the gods, assume the form of a milch cow to procure me comfort.

"May she, who is Lakshmi, reposing on the bosom of Vishnu-she who is the Lakshmi of the regent of riches-she who is the Lakshmi of kings-be a boon-granting cow unto me."

Mr. Colebrooke, in the 7th vol. As. Res., mentions other forms of invocation, but these will be sufficient for the present purpose. That gentleman also states, that it is common for a householder to feed "a cow before he breaks his own fast ;" and that the worship of this animal consists in presenting flowers to her, washing her feet, &c. &c. The hospitable rites of marriage ceremonies are concluded by letting loose a cow, a guest exclaiming-" Release the cow, may she subdue my foe; may she subdue the enemies of him (the host) and me; dismiss the cow that she may eat grass and drink water." When the animal has been released, the guest addresses her. "I have earnestly addressed this prudent person, saying, Kill not the innocent cow, who is the mother of Rudra."

The cow is an object of extensive adoration. Besides the annual festivals in honour of her, particularly pious individuals worship her daily, at which times they feed and scatter flowers around her. The ordure of the cow is considered as a great purifier; unclean places are purified with it; the floors and door-ways of houses and cooking-places are periodically rubbed with it. Ashes from it are used to rub the bodies of the Hindus, and form the

sectarial marks that denote their castes ; the images of their gods are also purified with it, mixed up with the urine of the animal, milk, ghee, &c. &c. Those of basalt in my possession were completely plastered with this holy unction, so baked apparently by the sun of ages, that it took a man two days to pick it out, and purify one of the most beautiful in the English style with soap and warm water. But soul-purifying as is the ordure of the animal, the urine of her is so potently holy, that, says Major Moore-" the catholic. devil himself cannot," as the proverb runs, "hate holy water more than the Hindu spirits of impurity abhor this sin-expelling sanctifying liquor. Images are sprinkled with it; no man of any pretensions to piety and cleanliness would pass a cow in the act of staling, without receiving the holy stream in his palm, sipping a few drops, and, with his bedewed fingers, marking and crossing his forehead, shoulders and breast." This gentleman, after seriously assuring us that he never tried this delightful exorcism, relates a droll story in point, which will reward a reader for turning to p. 143 of his excellent work.

Mr. Ward says, that Bramah created the Brahmans and the cow at the same time, and that the latter is called "the mother of the gods," and is declared by Brahma to be a proper object of worship. Kamula Kamini, a form of Parvati or Durga, p. 99.

Kandeh Rao, an avatar of Siva, who became incarnate in that character, to destroy the giant Mani-Mal. A magnificent temple is dedicated to his worship in this avatar at Jejury, about thirty miles from Poonah. Siva, as Kandeh Rao is represented on

horseback, with four arms, holding in three of his hands a trident, a banner, and a bead-roll. (See fig. 3, pl. 16, from a compartment in the Temple of Rama.) Kansa or Cansa, king of Mathura, who ordered the children of his sister to be put to death immediately they were born, in consequence of a prediction that he would be dethroned and slain by one of them. Krishna escaped and afterwards slew him. (See Krishna, p. 35.) Kapila, an incarnation of Vishnu. Kapuli, a form assumed by Siva, as a religious mendicant. A human skull was his alms-dish; his necklace and ornaments were of the bones, and his dwelling-place was amongst the ashes of the dead. From skulls a Kapulika eats and drinks, and his sacrificial fires are fed with the brains and lungs of men, mixed up with their flesh; and human victims covered with the fresh blood gushing from the horrible wounds in the throats, are the offerings by which they appease this terrible god. Dr. J. Taylor.

Karmala, the servant of Dhermarajah, the benevolent form of Yama, who conveys the righteous to him for judgment. Chitra Guptu, according to Mr. Ward, is the attendant of Yama in his terrific character.

Kartikeya, p. 74.

four broad; and it has been calculated that 25,000 pilgrims, merchants, travellers, &c., enter and depart daily from it. It has 1,000 temples, half of which are dedicated to Mahadeo and the gods of his family. The number of Brahmans, Fakirs, Sanyasis, and other beggars in this town is immense. One of its greatest annoyances arises from the Bramany or sacred bulls (which are also numerous) throwing themselves across, and, at times, rendering almost impassable its narrow streets and lanes; from which strong coercive measures must not be used to remove them.

The principal temple in Benares is that of Beseshur, built A.D. 1681. "It is very handsome, but is too much confined. by surrounding houses. The only entrance to it is by a narrow lane not five feet wide, and blocked up with dirt, Brahmany bulls, &c.; the temple stands on the north. On entering, it is at first impossible to distinguish any thing, the eye being blinded by the sudden change from glare to darkness: a few lamps glimmer here and there; but the ear is saluted by the buz of prayers, and the harsh tinkling of a large copper bell, which is suspended from the roof of the centrical apartment, and is sounded by each worshipper on his departure. On each side are a few small rooms, each feebly lighted by a single lamp placed in a niche over the object of adoration (the linga). Many people of both were on their knees, scattering on the linga rice, water, and leaves, which were soon devoured by the Brahmany bulls, who were roaming about the temple, quite at their ease; the crowd was incessantly entering and departing. The Brahmans were very annoying in their

sexes were

beggings for money; but this seems to be a priestly custom, sanctioned every where by long usage, and equally as applicable to the Friars of the west as to the Brahmans of the east."-Asiat. Jour. Kattees, p. 275.

Katyayini, a form of Durga, armed by all the gods to attack the Asuras. Kavya, a name of Sukra.

Ketu, the planet of the descending node, p. 77 and 135, and pl. 26.

Keyans, p. 326.

Khandarpa, a name of Kamadeva.

Khaticka, a Devi of the Jains.

Khettries, the warrior tribe of India, formed from the arms of Brahma.

Khorial Mater, a deity worshipped by the Bheels for protection of their cattle against sickness and plundering.

Kinnurus, celestial choristers having horses' heads.

Kookies, p. 321.

Koombees, p. 289.

Koonti, the mother of the Pandus. (See Pandus, p. 248.)

Krishna, p. 34.

Krishna Krora, a form of Parvati, p. 99. Kshupakara, a name of Chandra.

Kustubha, an inestimable jewel, one of the gems produced at the churning of the

ocean.

Kutar, a singularly shaped dagger, the mark of which is used by the Kattees to ratify a deed or agreement, p. 282.

Kuvera, or Cuvera, the god of wealth, and the regent of the North. This deity is

Lingaets worshippers of the Linga, who wear the mark of it on their breasts. Lotus, the water-lily. This plant is held sacred throughout the East, and the deities of the various sects in that quarter of the world are almost invariably represented as either decorated with its flowers, seated or standing on a lotus throne or pedestal, or holding a sceptre formed from its flower, sometimes expanded, and at others closed. These flowers are said to be found in some parts of India blue, and in the southern parts white or red. It is fabled that they obtained the last-mentioned colour by being dyed with the blood of Siva, when Kamadeva wounded him with the love-shaft arrow, as related under the articles Siva and Kamadeva. Lakshmi is called the Lotus-born, from having ascended from the ocean on its flower in the Kurmavatara. Its expanding and closing

as soon as he awakes they yield no longer pleasure; for the joys and pleasures of this life are as unreal as dreams. By devout abstraction (that is, by meditating on God) man awakes to a knowledge of divine truths, and finds his former enjoyments nothing but illusion. Thus, a supreme eternal Spirit, the creator of all, pervades all, preserves all, and will finally destroy all; in fine, all things are Maya which do not proceed from the light of divine knowledge. By the Vishnaivas Laksmi is called Maya, or Ada Maya.

Medhra, the same as Yoni, p. 174. Meghnaud, a son of Ravan, who was celebrated in the war of Lanka. He was overthrown by the bear Jumont, and afterwards killed by Lakshman.

Mehrawun, a brother of Ravan, who, in the war of Lanka, took, by a surprise, Rama and Lakshman prisoners, and carried them to Patala (or hell), from whence they were released (as they were about to be sacrificed) by Hanuman.

Mendicants (religious). These people are very numerous, and consist of the Voiragees, or Vishnaivas; Sanyasis, or Saivas; Ramanayas, or worshippers of Rama; Nanock Punthees, followers of Nanock; and various others, viz. Kuveer Punt'hées; Sukhee Bhuvus; Khelanta Yogees; Kanu-pala Yogees; Shurevurees; Ughoru Punt'hées; Brumhacharees, &c. &c. They have their various forms of austerities, which it would afford no satisfaction to the reader to recapitulate; a few of them are noticed in pp. 67 and 165, and pl. 28. Menus, p. 8.

Meru (The Mountain), p. 253.

Mhairs (The), p. 299.

Migranku, a name of Chandra.
Mitra, a name of Surya (the sun), one of the
Adityas.

Moinee, an order of Hindu devotees, who vow perpetual silence. They go almost naked, and smear their bodies with cowdung.

Mooktee Kestree, a form of Parvati, or Durga. She is of a blue complexion, like Kali, and appears to be merely a variety of that terrible goddess.

Mrigu, the antelope. (See Chandra and Siva.

Mughs, or Mugs, a people inhabiting the border countries of Chittagong and Arracan; thus called, according to Colonel Symes, from a corruption of the word Mog, a term of religious import and high sanctity, formerly applied only to the priesthood and the king. (See Kookies, p. 321.)

Mughut, a head-dress.

:

Muhishu Murdinee, a form of Durga or Parvati she is represented sitting on a lion, having six, eight, or ten arms, and holding in her hands a shell, a club, a shield, a water-lily, a discus, &c. &c. Mundaris, a Mahomedan sect, founded by Mudan, a Soofi. "They admit the divine mission of Mahomed, but disclaim his title to particular veneration. The Mudans go nearly naked, braiding the hair and smearing the body with ashes, and wearing iron chains round their waists and necks.

Mund Mala, the necklace of human heads,

which is suspended from the necks of Siva and some of his avatars, and Parvati, as Kal and Kali.

Mungala, p. 132.