DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0043
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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Kalu-Bhoiruvu, in which form he cut off Brumha's head, which
is seen in one of his hands. A sect of mendicants, called yogii-
bhogii-vadees, who wear a large stone inserted through an inci-
sion in each ear, live at the temples of this god, and are some-
times seen, with a prostitute in one hand, and a pan of hot coals
in the other, with each of which (the representatives of pleasure
and pain) they profess to be equally pleased. Another form of
this god is that of Miiha-Jcalu, in which he appears as the de-
stroyer. ' Muha-kalu, as represented in the caverns of Elephanta,'
says Mr. Paterson, ' has eight arms; in one hand he holds a
human figure; in another, a sword or sacrificial axe; in a third,
a basin of blood; and with a fourth he rings over it the sacrificial
bell: two other arms are broken off, but with the two remaining
he is drawing behind him a veil, which extinguishes the sun,
and involves the whole universe in one undistinguished ruin. In
the hieroglyphic of the Mtiha Pruluyii, (or grand consummation
of all things,) Shivfi is represented as trodden under foot by
Muha Kalee4, or Eternity. He is there deprived of his crescent,
trident, and necklaces, to show that his dominion and powers
are no more; and is blowing the tremendous horn, which
announces the annihilation of all created things.'
4. Indru. This is the king of heaven, and the infamous
violator of the wife of his religious guide : he is painted as a
yellow man, sitting on an elephant, with a thunder-bolt in one
hand, and a club in the other; and, like Argus, is full of eyes.
All the attributes of his image are only the signs of his office as
a king. He has one annual festival, and is very famous in the
near Serampore, asked the officiating bramhiin to give him a proof that
the idol was able to converse with him. The bramhiin entered the
temple, shutting the door after him, and the visitor, astonished at imme-
diately hearing voices, interrogated the priest respecting it, who solemnly
affirmed from within, that it was Jugunnat'hii who was speaking;—but
the visitor, determined to ascertain so interesting a fact, forced open the
temple door, and—whom should he see, inquisitive reader, but the
mistress of the officiating bramhiin ?
s This is the famous image worshipped at Kalee-Ghatu, near Calcutta.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Kalu-Bhoiruvu, in which form he cut off Brumha's head, which
is seen in one of his hands. A sect of mendicants, called yogii-
bhogii-vadees, who wear a large stone inserted through an inci-
sion in each ear, live at the temples of this god, and are some-
times seen, with a prostitute in one hand, and a pan of hot coals
in the other, with each of which (the representatives of pleasure
and pain) they profess to be equally pleased. Another form of
this god is that of Miiha-Jcalu, in which he appears as the de-
stroyer. ' Muha-kalu, as represented in the caverns of Elephanta,'
says Mr. Paterson, ' has eight arms; in one hand he holds a
human figure; in another, a sword or sacrificial axe; in a third,
a basin of blood; and with a fourth he rings over it the sacrificial
bell: two other arms are broken off, but with the two remaining
he is drawing behind him a veil, which extinguishes the sun,
and involves the whole universe in one undistinguished ruin. In
the hieroglyphic of the Mtiha Pruluyii, (or grand consummation
of all things,) Shivfi is represented as trodden under foot by
Muha Kalee4, or Eternity. He is there deprived of his crescent,
trident, and necklaces, to show that his dominion and powers
are no more; and is blowing the tremendous horn, which
announces the annihilation of all created things.'
4. Indru. This is the king of heaven, and the infamous
violator of the wife of his religious guide : he is painted as a
yellow man, sitting on an elephant, with a thunder-bolt in one
hand, and a club in the other; and, like Argus, is full of eyes.
All the attributes of his image are only the signs of his office as
a king. He has one annual festival, and is very famous in the
near Serampore, asked the officiating bramhiin to give him a proof that
the idol was able to converse with him. The bramhiin entered the
temple, shutting the door after him, and the visitor, astonished at imme-
diately hearing voices, interrogated the priest respecting it, who solemnly
affirmed from within, that it was Jugunnat'hii who was speaking;—but
the visitor, determined to ascertain so interesting a fact, forced open the
temple door, and—whom should he see, inquisitive reader, but the
mistress of the officiating bramhiin ?
s This is the famous image worshipped at Kalee-Ghatu, near Calcutta.