DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0149
32 THE HINDOO MYTHOLOGY.
The Sliree-bhaguvutu contains another description of the
heaven of Shivii:—Sixteen thousand miles from the earth,
on mount Koilasu*, resides this god, in a palace of gold,
adorned with jewels of all kinds. This palace is surrounded
with forests, gardens, canals, trees laden with all kinds of
fruit, flowers of every fragrance. The kiilpu tree also grows
here, from which a person may obtain every kind of food
and all other things he may desire. In the centre of a
rpodrakshuu forest, under a tree, Shivii frequently sits with
his wife Parvutee. The fragrance of the parijatu flowers
extends 200 miles in all directions; and all the seasons are
here enjoyed at the same time. The winds blow softly,
filled with the most refreshing odours. At the extremities
of this heaven southwards and northwards Shivii has fixed
two gates, one of which is kept by Nundee, the other by
Muha-kalu. A number of gods and other celestial beings
constantly reside here, among whom are Kartike'yti and
Guneshu, the sons of Shivii; also the female servants of
Doorga, Jiiya, and Vijuyar, eight nayikas, and sixty-four
yoginees, with bhootiis, pishachiis, Shivu's bull, and those
disciples of Shivii (shaktiis) who have obtained beatitude.
The time is spent here in the festivities and abominations
of the other heavens.
' Sonini, during his travels in Greece and Tarlcey, made a journey into
ancient Macedonia, and paid a visit to mount Olympus, the abode of the
gods. It was the middle of July when this excursion was made, and
although the heat was extreme towards the base of the mountain, as well
as in the plain, vast masses of snow rendered the summit inaccessible.
" It is not astonishing," says Sonini, " that the Greeks have placed the
abode of the gods on an eminence which mortals cannot reach." The
monks of the convent," who have succeeded them in this great elevation,"
confirmed what has been sometimes disputed, the perpetual permanence
of ice and snow on the top of the mountain. With the exception of cha-
mois and a few bears, there are hardly any quadrupeds to be seen beyond
the half of the height of Olympus. Birds also scarcely pass this limit.
" Eleocarpus ganitrus.
The Sliree-bhaguvutu contains another description of the
heaven of Shivii:—Sixteen thousand miles from the earth,
on mount Koilasu*, resides this god, in a palace of gold,
adorned with jewels of all kinds. This palace is surrounded
with forests, gardens, canals, trees laden with all kinds of
fruit, flowers of every fragrance. The kiilpu tree also grows
here, from which a person may obtain every kind of food
and all other things he may desire. In the centre of a
rpodrakshuu forest, under a tree, Shivii frequently sits with
his wife Parvutee. The fragrance of the parijatu flowers
extends 200 miles in all directions; and all the seasons are
here enjoyed at the same time. The winds blow softly,
filled with the most refreshing odours. At the extremities
of this heaven southwards and northwards Shivii has fixed
two gates, one of which is kept by Nundee, the other by
Muha-kalu. A number of gods and other celestial beings
constantly reside here, among whom are Kartike'yti and
Guneshu, the sons of Shivii; also the female servants of
Doorga, Jiiya, and Vijuyar, eight nayikas, and sixty-four
yoginees, with bhootiis, pishachiis, Shivu's bull, and those
disciples of Shivii (shaktiis) who have obtained beatitude.
The time is spent here in the festivities and abominations
of the other heavens.
' Sonini, during his travels in Greece and Tarlcey, made a journey into
ancient Macedonia, and paid a visit to mount Olympus, the abode of the
gods. It was the middle of July when this excursion was made, and
although the heat was extreme towards the base of the mountain, as well
as in the plain, vast masses of snow rendered the summit inaccessible.
" It is not astonishing," says Sonini, " that the Greeks have placed the
abode of the gods on an eminence which mortals cannot reach." The
monks of the convent," who have succeeded them in this great elevation,"
confirmed what has been sometimes disputed, the perpetual permanence
of ice and snow on the top of the mountain. With the exception of cha-
mois and a few bears, there are hardly any quadrupeds to be seen beyond
the half of the height of Olympus. Birds also scarcely pass this limit.
" Eleocarpus ganitrus.