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. Migranku, a name of Chandra. 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. Meghnaud, a son of Ravan, who was cele- Mughs, or Mugs, a people inhabiting the brated 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. 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. Mungala Chundika, a form of Durga, represented sitting on three skulls, with a book in one hand, a string of beads in the other. Much worshipped, according to Mr.Ward, by females, to avert distress from their families. Muntopums, small open temples standing near the larger ones, into which the figures of the deities are placed on being brought from the latter, on days of festivals, for worship. Murlidur (or the Tuneful), a name of Krishna when represented playing on his flute. 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 Nakharam and Mairam, the mountain gods (See Chandra.) 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 Siva: it is his vahan, and by some described as the emblem of justice. (See Siva, with fig. 3, pl. 15 and pl. 16.) Nandiswara, a name of Siva, as Iwara, and his vahan, the bull Nandi, (See 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.) 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 Pas, Pash, or Pashu, a cord or rope, seen Patala, the infernal regions. (See Yama). Paulastya, a name of Kuvera. Phansagars, a set of murderers, found 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). Rawets, hill gods of the Bheels. name of the Rembha, a name of Lakshmi, the sea-born Venus of the Hindus, and the Venus Aphrodites of the Greeks; one of the gems |