DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0120
THE HINDOO MYTHOLOGY. 3
The Hindoo shastrus give accounts of ten appearances
or incarnations of Vishnoo, in the character of the Pre-
server; nine of which are said to be past.
The first is called the Miitsyu incarnation. Brumhub,
the one God, when he resolves to recreate the universe
after a periodical destruction, first gives birth to Brumha,
Vishnooj and Shivu, to preside over the work of creation,
preservation, and destruction. After a periodical dissolution
of the universe, the four ve"dus remained in the waters. In
order to enter upon the work of creation, it was necessary
to obtain these books, for the instruction of Brumha. Vishr
noo was therefore appointed to bring up the v^diis from
the deep; who, taking the form of a fish, (some say one
kind and some another,) descended into the waters, and
brought up these sacred books. , .
In the Ktiehyupu incarnation Vishnoo assumed the
form of a tortoise, and took the newly created earth upon
his back, to render it stable. The Hindoos believe that to
this hour the earth is supported on the back of this- tor-
toise.
The Vurahu incarnation happened at one of the pe-
riodical destructions of the world, when the earth sunk into
the waters. Vishnoo, the preserver, appearing in the
form of a boar (vurahu), descended into the waters, and
with his tusks drew up the earth. What contemptible
ideas on such a subject! The earth, with all its mountains,,
&c. &c. made fast on the back of a turtle, or drawn up
from the deep by the tusks of a hog!
b The reader will please to keep in mind that Brfimhti roean? the one
6od, and that Briunha means the idol of that name.
B 2
The Hindoo shastrus give accounts of ten appearances
or incarnations of Vishnoo, in the character of the Pre-
server; nine of which are said to be past.
The first is called the Miitsyu incarnation. Brumhub,
the one God, when he resolves to recreate the universe
after a periodical destruction, first gives birth to Brumha,
Vishnooj and Shivu, to preside over the work of creation,
preservation, and destruction. After a periodical dissolution
of the universe, the four ve"dus remained in the waters. In
order to enter upon the work of creation, it was necessary
to obtain these books, for the instruction of Brumha. Vishr
noo was therefore appointed to bring up the v^diis from
the deep; who, taking the form of a fish, (some say one
kind and some another,) descended into the waters, and
brought up these sacred books. , .
In the Ktiehyupu incarnation Vishnoo assumed the
form of a tortoise, and took the newly created earth upon
his back, to render it stable. The Hindoos believe that to
this hour the earth is supported on the back of this- tor-
toise.
The Vurahu incarnation happened at one of the pe-
riodical destructions of the world, when the earth sunk into
the waters. Vishnoo, the preserver, appearing in the
form of a boar (vurahu), descended into the waters, and
with his tusks drew up the earth. What contemptible
ideas on such a subject! The earth, with all its mountains,,
&c. &c. made fast on the back of a turtle, or drawn up
from the deep by the tusks of a hog!
b The reader will please to keep in mind that Brfimhti roean? the one
6od, and that Briunha means the idol of that name.
B 2