DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2375#0087
78
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER Sdktis, are Ventarus living on Maha Meru; but they are of a male-
•s^v^w volent disposition.
Feb. 6. Below Maha Meru and the earth, is situated Bhuvana, or hell,
the residence of the spirits of wicked men. These are called RaR-
shas and Asuras; and, although endowed with great power, they
are miserable. Bhuvana is divided into ten places of punishment,
which are severe in proportion to the crimes of their respective
inhabitants.
The heaven and earth in general, including Maha Meru, and
Bhuvana, are supposed never to have been created, and to be eter-
nal ; but this portion (Khanda) of the earth called Arya, or Bha-
rata, is liable to destruction and re-production. It is destroyed by
a poisonous wind that kills every thing; after which a shower of
fire consumes the whole Khanda. It is again restored by a shower
of butter (Ghee), followed by one of milk, and that by one of the
juice of sugar-cane. Men and animals then come from the other
five portions (Khandas) of the earth, and inhabit the new Arya or
Bharata-khanda. The books of the Arhita mention many Dwipas,
islands or continents, surrounding Maha Meru, of which the one
that we inhabit is called Jambu-ckwipa. People, from this, can go as
far as Manushotra, a mountain in P ushkarara-dwipa, between which
and Jambu-dwipa are two seas, and an island named Daticy shunda.
Jambu-dwipa is divided into six Khandas, and not into nine, as is
done by the Brahmans who follow the Vedas. The inhabitants of
five of these portions are called Mlechas, or barbarians. Arya or
Bharata is divided into 56 Desas, or nations, as is done by the other
Brahmans. As Arabia and China are two of these nations, Arya
would seem to include all the world that was tolerably known to
the Arhita who composed the books of this sect.
Every animal, from Indradown to the meanest insect, or the most
wicked Rdksha, has existed from all eternity; and, according to
the nature of its actions, will continue to undergo changes from a
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER Sdktis, are Ventarus living on Maha Meru; but they are of a male-
•s^v^w volent disposition.
Feb. 6. Below Maha Meru and the earth, is situated Bhuvana, or hell,
the residence of the spirits of wicked men. These are called RaR-
shas and Asuras; and, although endowed with great power, they
are miserable. Bhuvana is divided into ten places of punishment,
which are severe in proportion to the crimes of their respective
inhabitants.
The heaven and earth in general, including Maha Meru, and
Bhuvana, are supposed never to have been created, and to be eter-
nal ; but this portion (Khanda) of the earth called Arya, or Bha-
rata, is liable to destruction and re-production. It is destroyed by
a poisonous wind that kills every thing; after which a shower of
fire consumes the whole Khanda. It is again restored by a shower
of butter (Ghee), followed by one of milk, and that by one of the
juice of sugar-cane. Men and animals then come from the other
five portions (Khandas) of the earth, and inhabit the new Arya or
Bharata-khanda. The books of the Arhita mention many Dwipas,
islands or continents, surrounding Maha Meru, of which the one
that we inhabit is called Jambu-ckwipa. People, from this, can go as
far as Manushotra, a mountain in P ushkarara-dwipa, between which
and Jambu-dwipa are two seas, and an island named Daticy shunda.
Jambu-dwipa is divided into six Khandas, and not into nine, as is
done by the Brahmans who follow the Vedas. The inhabitants of
five of these portions are called Mlechas, or barbarians. Arya or
Bharata is divided into 56 Desas, or nations, as is done by the other
Brahmans. As Arabia and China are two of these nations, Arya
would seem to include all the world that was tolerably known to
the Arhita who composed the books of this sect.
Every animal, from Indradown to the meanest insect, or the most
wicked Rdksha, has existed from all eternity; and, according to
the nature of its actions, will continue to undergo changes from a