ON KRISHNA, AND SOLAR MYTHS. 163 
earlier Hinduism, though parallels may be foundin Buddhism, 
Thus, there is special emphasis laid on ‘absence of enmity 
towards any being,” “hating no being,” ‘‘ being friendly and 
compassionate,” “ being forgiving and contented.” There is 
also the praise of ‘‘ purity ” of heart as wellas body. He who 
exercises such virtues, in common with many emphasised also 
by Buddha, is dear to Krishna.” But then immediately 
follows the great point of the poem :—‘‘ Those devotees who, 
imbued with faith, and (regarding) me as their highest (goal), 
resort to this holy (means for obtaining) immortality, as 
stated, they are extremely dear to me.” Similarly, when 
speaking of those who have “ transcended the qualities,” 
(that is, the bodily senses and their actions), he adds, “he 
who worships me with an unswerving devotion, transcends 
these qualities, and becomes fit for entrance into the essence of 
the Brahman ; for I am the embodiment of the Brahman, of 
indefeasible immortality, of eternal piety, and of unbroken 
happiness.” After an evident reference to perhaps more than 
one of the Upanishads, and a reference to the Sankhya system, 
he still draws up all the threads in devotion to himself: 
“ dedicating in thought all actions to me, be constantly given 
up tome. Placing your thoughts on me, you will cross over 
all difficulties by my favour.” And he concludes the song 
with a recapitulation.—~ Thus have I declared to you the 
knowledge more mysterious than any mystery. Ponder over 
it thoroughly, and then act as you like. Once more, listen to 
my excellent words—most mysterious of all. Strongly I like 
you, therefore I will declare what is for your welfare. On me 
(place) your mind, become my devotee, sacrifice to me, 
reverence me, you will certainly come tome. I declare to you 
truly, you are dear to me. Forsaking all duties, come to me 
as (your) sole refuge. I will release you from all sins. He 
who, with the highest devotion to me, will proclaim this 
supreme mystery among my devotees, will come to me, freed 
from (all) doubts.” 
6. The first point of interest is the fact that in the Bhagavad- 
Gita we have a doctrine distinctly new in Brahmanical 
teaching—that is, the incarnation of deity. Equally new, 
too, is the doctrine of the “ bhakti,” the personal devotion 
to, and faith in, the deity so manifested, overriding every 
other doctrine. The Vedic deities, however much they 
may have been clothed with human attributes, were never 
incarnate. When did the idea of the Deity dwelling in human 
flesh first become a part of man’s belief? With the Hindus 
not before the story of Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gité. With 
other Hastern nations not at all, so far as I can reach 
