Ward, William: A View of the History, Literature, and Religion of the Hindoos (Band 2) (London, 1817)

THE HINDOO MYTHOLOGY. 11

crystal. They are very small, and are kept in the houses
of the rich, and used for daily worship.

Small brazen images of many of the gods are kept in pri-
vate houses, and worshipped daily. These are very small,
weighing only an ounce or two.

Very small copper images of Sooryii, and of Shivu riding
on a bull, are preserved in private houses, and worshipped
daily.

The images of mixed metal are those of Radha, Doorga,
Lukshmee, Shiv|i, &c. The images of any of the gods
may be made with this mixed metal; and may be worshipped
either in private houses or in temples.

The images of all the gods and goddesses may be made
of stone : the greater number are placed in temples; a few
small ones are found in private houses. All images of
stone are worshipped daily : the greater number are of the
lingu, or the various forms of Vishnoo. A few exist of the
lingu nine or twelve cubits high1!. The mendicant fol-
lowers of Vishnoo carry small images of Krishnu with them
in their peregrinations, which are from one to two cubits
high. All the stone images in Bengal are of black marble;
but there are some at Benares which are white. The
sculpture on these stones is in much the same state of
perfection as that to be seen in the oldest churches in
England. These stones are brought into Bengal from the
upper provinces, and cut by men who are to be found in all
the great towns, and to whom it is an employment. Some

* An image of the lingu is set up at Benares, which six men can hardly
grasp.

• C 2