OP THE HINDUS. 347 



(i your efTence, with which ye fatisfy the univerfe. 

 <c Waters ! grant it unto us." For, as otherwife 

 " expounded, the third text may lignify, Eagerly do 

 " we approach your elfence, which fupports the uni- 

 <( verfal abode. Waters ! grant it unto us." In the 

 Agnl purdna the ablution is otherwife directed : 

 " At twilight, let a man attentively recite the prayers 

 " addreiTed to water, and perform an ablution by 

 u throwing water on the crown of his head, on the 

 Ci earth, towards the iky ; again towards the fey, on 

 " the earth, on the crown of his head, on the earth, 

 " again on the crown of his head ; and, laflly on the 

 " earth." Immediately after this ablution he mould 

 " lip water without fwallowing it, filently praying in 

 thefe words, "Lord of facrifice ! thy heart is in the 

 " midft of the waters of the ocean ; may falutary herbs 

 " and waters pervade thee. With facrificial hymns 

 " and humble falutation we invite thy prefence : may 

 " this ablution be efficacious." Or he may lip water 

 while he utters inaudably the myfterious names of the 

 feven worlds. Thrice plunging into water he muft 

 each time repeat the expiatory text which recites the 

 creation ; and having thus completed his ablution, he 

 puts on his mantle after warning it, and fits down to 

 worlhip the riling fun. 



This ceremony is begun by his tying the lock of 

 hair on the crown of his head, while he recites 

 the Gayatriy holding much cufa grafs in his left, and 

 three blades of the fame grafs in his right hand ; 

 or wearing a ring of grafs on the third finger of the 

 fame hand. Thrice lipping water with the fame text 

 preceded by the myfterious names of worlds, and 

 each time rubbing his hands as if warning them ; and 

 finally, touching with his wet hand his feet, head, 

 brea-ft, eyes, ears, nofe, and navel, or his breaft, 

 navel, and both moulders, only (acording to another 

 rule) he fhould again lip water three times pro- 

 nouncing to himfelr the expiatory text which recites 

 the creation. If he happen to fneeze, or fpit, he 



Y 3 * muil 



