APPENDIX. Mungala Chundika, a form of Durga, repre- Muntopums, small open temples standing Murlidur (or the Tuneful), a name of Krishna N. Naga, or Nag, a serpent. Nagas (The), p. 254. Naneshwer, a subordinate incarnation of Vishnu, described by Major Moor as having taken place at Alundy, near Poonah, about, as some state, seven, or according to others, twelve hundred years ago. In that gentleman's work will be found a full description of him. He is there stated to have been a religious ascetic, and to have been buried alive at Alundy, where his tomb is seen under a splendid temple, and where he yet appears (for, although buried, he is not dead) to pious, if at the same time, wealthy visitors. Nanock, the founder of the sect of the Shikhs. (See Shikhs, p. 227.) Naraka (generally), the hells of the Hindus, (especially) the hell or region of serpents. Nairit, or Nirut, the regent of the south- Narasingh Avatar, p. 17, pl. 8. west division of the earth. Narasinghi, a name of Lakshmi, as the sacti of Vishnu in the Narasingh avatar. (See p. 17 and 120.) Nakharam and Mairam, the mountain gods Names.-Vishnu, Siva, Durga, and others, have each a thousand names: the other deities have also many. The Brahmans in worship repeat these names, and, in doing so, drop a bead for each from a rosary which they wear. The rosaries resemble those of the Catholics. (See fig. 8, pl. 33.) Nanda, or Ananda, a pious herdsman or patriarch of the Gokals; the foster father of Krishna. Nandi, the sacred bull of Mahadeva, or Narayani, a name usually applied to Laksh- Neel, a chief in Rama's army in the war of Nepalese (The), p. 301. Neyama, devotion assisted by ceremonial purification. Nilakantha, a name of Siva, from his having a blue throat, in consequence of having drank the poison produced at the churning of the ocean. Nimba, a plant, the leaves of which are used in Puja. Nir Narrain, p. 244. Nishaputi, a name of Chandra. Parasha, a club. (See Gadha.) Parashu Rama, p. 20. Nul, a chief in Rama's army in the war of Pariyati, the tree of Plenty produced at Lanka. Numuchisadunee, a name of Indra, &c., who slew the giant Numuchi. the churning of the ocean, p. 15 Parsees (The), p. 316. Parvana, or Pavana, p. 111. Nycul, or Nakla, one of the Pandus. (See Parvati, p. 79. Nymphaea, or Lotus. (See Lotus). Parushamed' ha, human sacrificess. Certain forms for this sacrifice are prescribed in the Puranas; but the ceremony would appear to be emblematic, and not real. Mr. Ward affirms, that it is generally reported that human sacrifices actually exist in Bengal. I think the statements of his informants to be questionable: at all events, the measure is in direct defiance of the law. Pas, Pash, or Pashu, a cord or rope, seen in the hands of some of the deities to strangle sinners with. Whoever is caught by it cannot get away. Patala, the infernal regions. (See Yama). Patala devi, a name of Parvati in her avenging character. Paulastya, a name of Kuvera. Phansagars, a set of murderers, found principally in the Deccan, who either for the sake of plunder or private revenge, adopt peculiar methods to ensnare their victims, one of the most common of which is to place a woman in a secluded spot, who, by a tale of pity and helplessness, induces the traveller to offer her his protection, often to receive her on horseback behind him, and while thus journeying, the murderer flings a noose round her benefactor's neck, throws herself on the ground, and drags him with her. Concealed accomplices rush out, and the un fortunate traveller is immediately dispatched. They choose lonely spots, and often follow their victims for weeks before an opportunity offers to effect their savage and demoniacal object. All castes are found in this gang. Pinda, round balls made of rice; seen in the hands of Devi, and some of the other deities. Pindaries, (The) p. 293. Pitris, or Patriarchs, descendants of the Pitamaha, a name of Brahma. Pooja, or Puja, Hindu worship, or the fes- Pradham, or Pakriti. Pralhaud, a virtuous prince, the son of the demon Hiranyacasipa, who was destroyed for his wickedness by Vishnu. Pralhaud remonstrated with his father on his infidelity to the gods, and on his death succeeded to his throne. Priests (Hindu). Every Brahman who professes a knowledge of the formula of his religion may become a priest. They are distinguished by the appellation of the Purushita, the Acharya, the Sudushya, the Brahma, and the Hota. The first appears to be the principal ceremonial, the last the sacrificial priest. According to Mr. Ward the first mentioned is the most advantageous order, as the rich who are unwilling to fast, bathe in cold water and perform further ablutions and sacrifices, bestow fees upon the Purushita to perform their ceremonies for them. Some of the lower castes have priests of their own, and not Brahmans. Priests have no official garments, but always appear in their usual dress. (See Brahmans, p. 142.) Prithivi, p. 102. Prityungira, a vindictive form of Parvati, worshipped with sanguinary sacrifices, and propitiated to obtain the destruction of, or injury to another. She is consequently invoked in a similar manner to Kali. Pudmawuttee, a Jaina Devi. Pulaha, one of the seven Brahmadicas. Pulastya, one of the seven Brahmadicas. Puniakirti, a form of Garuda, assumed to propagate the delusive doctrines of Vishnu, as Budda, at Kashi, to deceive the virtuous king Divodasa. Puram-hungru. Hindu religious mendicants, who go naked, observe perpetual silence, and appear regardless of all visible objects. Puranas. Sacred writings of two kinds: one treats of the creation of the universe, the progress and renovation of worlds, &c.; and the other of chronology and the geneology and achievements of the gods, demigods, and heros of the Hindus. Purashu or Purushu, the principal male, the first manifestation of the Supreme Being, the term like that of Viraj is variously applied, in honour of their especial deity, by the different sects. Pushan, a name of Surya. Pushpaka, the car of Kuvera; also, according to legends, the name of a favourite parrot of Indra, who, on the appearance of Yama, flew away, alleging that he could not face the destroyer of mankind. The gods entreated Yama to spare it, who referred them to Kal (time); Kal again referred them to death, who, on the approach of the bird, cut short the argument and the parrot's life at the same time. On being reproached by the gods, Yama said that fate had decided the parrot's life, and that no care on their parts could have saved it. R. Radha, the mistress of Krishna, p. 45, pl. 12. Raghuva, a name of Rama Chandra. Rahu, the planet of the ascending node, p. 134, pl. 26. Rajarshis, holy sages or saints. Raja Vansas, Raj Kumars, and Rajpoots, independent warlike tribes of Hindustan, among whom female infanticide extensively prevails. (See Infanticide, p. 177, and Rajpoots 275.) Raju Rajeswaree, a form of Durga, represented sitting on a stool of three legs, which rests on the heads of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. Raivata, one of the seven Menus. Rakshasas, demons who assume at will the forms of lions, tigers, horses, and other animals, as well as the human shape, with numerous heads and arms. They are represented as Cannibals, who devour their enemies. Rama Chandra, p. 22. Ramalayas, religious mendicants of the fol lowers of Rama. Ram-dasu, one of the ten leaders of the Rath, a car used for the conveyance of an idol. Rath-Yatra, the celebrated festival of Juggan-na'th. Ravana, or Ravan, a powerful Asura, the sovereign of Lanka, destroyed by Rama Chandra. He is described with numerous heads and arms, and is said to have become so potent, in consequence of an ill-judged promise (according to some of Siva, and according to others of Brahma) obtained in the usual manner by marvellous religious austerities and devotion, as to have brought all the gods under his subjection. As the promise of the deity could not be revoked, Vishnu found the means of evading the performance of it by becoming incarnate as Rama Chandra to effect the destruction of the tyrant. (See Rama Chandra, p. 22, and fig. 2, pl. 9.) Ravi, one of the Adityas, a sun. Rawels (Bhauts). name of the Rawets, hill gods of the Bheels. produced at the churning of the ocean. (See Sacrificial Utensils, p. 219. Lakshmi, p. 60.) Reti, affection; the consort of Kamadeva, the god of love. Revutee, the wife of Bala Ram, who was 3,888,000 years old at the time of her marriage. (See p. 48.) Sactas, the worshippers of the Sactis. (See Sactis.) This sect, though numerous, is, from the profligacy of a large portion of its members, held in general disesteem. Sactis (The), p. 120. Saka, or Sakya, a name of Buddha. Rig, or Rish Veda, one of the four Vedas. Salagrama Stones, p. 176. (See Vedas). Rishis (The), p. 9. Rivers. Numerous rivers are held sacred by the Hindus, viz. the Gunga or Ganges; (see Gunga); the Yamuna or Jumna; the Suraswati; the Godaveri; the Sindhu; the Krishna; the Brahmaputra, &c. &c. &c. The three first mentioned are called the Triveni, and form a junction at Allahabad, where multitudes of pilgrims annually resort in consequence to bathe. (See Triveni.) Rohillas (The), p. 306. Rohini, one of the daughters of Daksha, and the favourite wife of Soma, or Chandra. Rosheniah Sect (The), 308. Rudra, a name of Siva in his destroying character. Rudrani. Parvati, as the sacti of Rudra. Rukmini, the wife of Krishna; an incarnation. of Lakshmi. (See Krishna.) Runeka, the mother of Parashu Rama. Rutna Soor, one of the Datyas; from his blood shed on the ground in battle fresh demons sprung up. S. Sacambhari Bhavani, the guardian goddess of the Rajpoots, p. 284. Sama, or Saman Veda, one of the Vedas. (See Vedas.) Sambhu, a name of Siva: (See Siva.) Sami Tree, used in Puja, or worship. Samput, a vulture, by which Rama Chandra was directed to seek for Sita in Ceylon. This bird, with his brother Jutaee, in early life made an attempt to gain the realms of celestial light; Jutaee relinquished the undertaking, but Samput persevered, and had his wings and plumage scorched for his pains, and fell to the ground. So keen was his sight, even in old age, that although Sita must have been at least one thousand miles distant, he beheld her, and directed Rama accordingly. Sanchanága, an enormous giant, in the form of a serpent, killed by Krishna. He is described by Colonel Wilford as having two countenances, one that of a man, and the other of a snake; and to have fixed his abode in a shell. His breath was believed to have been a fiery, poisonous wind, which burnt and destroyed all the animals and vegetables near it. This the Hindus, who imagine that his descendants still exist, consider as the hot winds of the African Deserts. The sage Agastya, who for his piety and learning was translated to the heavens, reduced this monster, and carried him about in an earthen pot. |