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too, the ascending and descending nodes. The planets are not honoured with temples, images, or festivals, in Bengal. When hope or fear, respecting their benign or malignant influence, is excited in the mind of a Hindoo, he is drawn or driven to worship them.

15. Doorga. The image of this gooddess, and that of Minerva, in one or two instances, exhibit a pretty strong resemblance; both are described as fond of arms; and Doorga derives her name from the giant Doorgu, whom she slew; as Pallas (Minerva) obtained hers from the giant Pallas, whom she destroyed; she resembles Minerva also as a goddess difficult of access, which is one signification of the name Doorga. Sir W. Jones says, As the mountain-born goddess, or Parvutee, she has many properties of the Olympian Juno: her majestic deportment, high spirit, and general attributes are the same; and we find her both on Mount Koilasu, and at the banquets of the deities, uniformly the companion of her husband. One circumstance in the parallel is extremely singular; she is usually attended by her son Kartikeyu, who rides on a peacock; and in some drawings, his own robe seems to be spangled with eyes: to which must be added, that in some of her temples, a peacock, without a rider, stands near her image! The image of Doorga is that of a yellow female with ten arms, sitting on a bier: the weapons she wields, the trident, the scimitar, the discus, the arrow, the spear, the club, the bow, the serpent-weapon, the hook for guiding an elephant, and an axe, are to point out, that with these ten arms and weapons she protects the ten points. She has one foot on Muhesku, a giant, to shew that she subdues the enemies of her worshippers; and she sits on a lion, a form of Vishnoo, as the giver of success to her worshippers, and as exciting fear in their enemies. The quarrels of this goddess with Shivu, her husband, strongly remind us of those betwixt Jupiter and Juno, arising from the jealousy of the latter. The festivals in honour of Doorga and of Krishnu, draw the whole Hindoo population to the temples; while those in honor of other gods are comparatively neglected. Before the temples of this goddess, thousands of victims are annually slaughtered, and offered to her image: she is not merely honoured as Doorga, but, under other names, distinct temples, images, festivals, and ceremonies have been instituted. Doorga is also the representative of matter in the creation of the universe; and in this character she is called Prukutee, literally, the chief, or nature. Her wars with the giants also add to her fame, and make her extremely popular among the Hin

doos; she is adopted by many, who take the name of Shaktus, as their guardian deity. In Bengal, the greater number of Bramhuns are Shaktus: in the western and southern provin ces this sect is not so numerous.

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16. Kalee,-the Indian Diana Taurica. This is another form of Doorga. The dark image of this goddess is a truly horrid figure her hair is dishevelled; her tongue hangs out; she holds in one hand a scimitar; in another a giant's skull; with another, she forbids fear; and with the last, is bestowing a blessing. Her colour is that by which time is designated; and she stands upon her husband, the destroyer, to keep him in subjection till the time of the universal conflagration; when, with the eye in the centre of the forehead, he will burn the universe. Her four arms represent the four vedus; the two inspiring terror, point out those portions of the vedu which relate to the destruction of enemies, and the government of the world; and the other two allude to those parts of the vedu which belong to devotion; her dishevelled hair represents the clouds, and intimates too, that time has neither beginning nor end; her tongue is the representative of lightning; she exhibits, altogether, the appearance of a drunken, frantic fury yet this is the goddess whom thousands adore; on whose altars thousands of victims annually bleed; and whose temple at Kalee-ghatu, near Calcutta, is the resort of Hindoos from all parts of India. This temple, it is said, frequently receives presents from persons of the highest rank; and not unfrequently from persons called Christians. There are two things respecting Kalee which remind us of Laverna; she is the protectress of thieves; and her image at Kalee-ghatu, is a head without a body. Another form of this goddess, under the name of Siddheshwuree, is to be seen in clay temples all over Bengal. Human victims, it is said, have often been immolated on the altars of Kalee, and Siddheshwuree.

17. Lukshmee. The goddess of fortune, is the wife of Vishnoo she is said to have been produced at the churning of the sea, as Venus was said to be born of the froth of the sea at her birth, all the gods were enamoured with her. She is painted yellow, with a water-lily in her right hand; in which form she is worshipped frequently by Hindoo women; but no bloody sacrifices are offered to her.

18. Suruswutee. The goddess of learning, another wife of Vishnoo. She is painted white, and stands on the water lily. In some images, she is seen holding a lute; and in others, possessed of three eyes, with a fan in one hand, and a book in

the other. Her colour is to point out, that she is the source of wisdom; the lute reminds the worshipper that she is the author of melody; her three eyes represent the three vedus ; the book and pen obviously belong to her character as the goddess of learning. She has an annual festival, when clay images are set up, and worshipped all over Bengal. Some of her worshippers, on the last day of the festival, dance naked before the procession of the image through the streets; even prostitutes, at this festival, make an image of this goddess, and set it up near their houses, to draw the spectators to their brothels. On this day, students, merchants, and others, refuse to touch a pen; for the Hindoos ascribe their ability to read, write, and even speak, to the favour of Suruswatee.

19. Shetula. The goddess who cools the body when afflicted with the small-pox, receives the honours from the lower orders of the Hindoos, among whom the ravages of the small-pox are often dreadful. This goddess is also worshipped to procure the removal of cutaneous diseases.

20. Munusa.-The queen of the snakes, or she who protects men from their fatal bite. The lower orders crowd to the three annual festivals held in honour of this goddess.

21. Shusht'hee,-The goddess of fecundity. She is honoured with six annual festivals, celebrated chiefly by females. Her image is that of a yellow woman, sitting on a cat, and nursing a child; though, in general, a rough stone, painted on the top, and placed under a tree, is the object worshipped.

These may be considered as the celestial deities worshipped by the Hindoos. The terrestrial goddesses are, Seeta, the wife of Ramu; Radha, the mistress of Krishnu; Rookminee and Sutyu-bhama, the wives of Krishnu; and Soobhudra, the sister of Jugunnat'hu. The terrestrial gods are the following:

1. Krishnu resembles Apollo in his licentious intrigues : in his being a herdsman, and an archer; in his destroying a dreadful serpent; in his love of music; and in the celebrity to which he attained.-Krishnu's image is that of a black man, with a flute in his hand. His colour points out, that he fills the mind with sensual desires. Apollo had in one hand a harp, and in the other a shield of arrows. Several festivals, in honour of this god, are held annually; at which times the greatest licentiousness prevails among all ranks. A great proportion of the Hindoo population in Bengal, are devoted to Krishnu; his intrigues with the milk maids, and especially with Radha, his favourite mistress, are familiar to any Hindoo, being incorporated into their popular songs, and the im

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