54. ENUMERATION OF 



form a branch of literature highly efteemeed, though 

 at prefent much neglected. Their fabulous origin de- 

 rives them from revelations of Siva to Pa'rvati, con- 

 firmed by Vishnu, and therefore called Agama, from 

 the initials of three words in a verfe of the tf'odala 

 Tantra. 



" Comino* from the mouth of Siva, heard by the 

 " mountain-born goddefs, admitted by the fon of Va- 

 " sude'va, it is thence called Agama,'" 



Thirty-fix are mentioned for the number of mixed 

 claries ; but, according to fome opinions, that num- 

 ber includes the fourth original tribe, or all the ori- 

 ginal tribes, according to other authorities: yet the 

 text quoted from the great D'berma-purdnay in the 

 digeft of which a verfion was tranflated by Mr. Hal- 

 hed, name thirty-nine mixed clafTes; and the Jatimala 

 gives diftincl: names for a greater number. 



On the four original tribes it may fuffice, in this 

 place, to .quote the Jatimala, where the diftinction of 

 BrahmanaSy according to the ten countries to which 

 their anceftors belonged, is noticed : that diftinction 

 is ftill maintained. 



<c In the fir ft creation, by Bra'hma, Brahmanas 

 " proceeded, with the Veda, from the mouth of 

 " Bra'hma. From his arms CJhatriyas fprung ; fo 

 <c from his thigh, Vaijyas ; from his foot Sudras were 

 " produced : all with their females. 



<c The Lord of creation viewing them, faid, fc What 

 " fnali be your occupations?" They replied, " We 

 <c are not our own mafters, oh, God ! Command us 

 <c what to undertake. 



" Viewing 



