3.34 ON THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES 



Brahme, manifefted in three forms or powers, is the 

 efficient caufe of the creation of the univdrfe, of its 



duration and deitruclion. So in the JHhai ; =ya 

 ;h.na fays, ' c the fun is the god of per-: 

 " ception, the eye of the univerfe, the caufe of day ; 

 f - there is none greater than lie among the immortal 

 « powers. From him this univerfe proceeded, and in 

 14 him it will reach annihilation ; he is time mea- 

 " fured by inftants 5 &c." Thus the univerfe. coniift- 



of three worlds containing ail which is fixed or 

 moveable, is the irradiating being ; and he is the ere- 



of that univerfe, the prcferver and ueftroyer of 

 it Confequently nothing can exift, which is not that 

 irradiating power. 



Thefe extracts from two very copious commentaries 

 will fuffieiently explain the texts, which are medi- 

 tated while the breath is held as above mentioned. 

 Immediately after thefe fuppreffions of breath, the 

 priefl mould lip water reciting the following pray;;, 

 " May the fun facrilice the regent of the firma- 

 " ment and other deities who prefide over jfacrifice, 

 c * defend me from the fin ariling from the imperfect 

 " performance of a religious ceremony. Whatever 

 4C iin I have committed by night, in thought, word, 

 i: or deed, be that cancelled by day. Whatever lin be 

 f* in me, may that be far removed. I offer this water 

 " to the fun, whofe light irradiates my hear!., who 

 " fprung from the immortal eifence. Be this obla- 

 ic tion efficacious." |He fhould next make three ablu- 

 tions with the prayers, u Water's! linceye afford de- 

 light, &c." at the fame time throwing water eight 

 times on his head, or towards the iky, and once on 

 the ground as before ; and again make iimilar ablu- 

 tions with the following prayer: '"Asa tired man 

 '* leaves drops of fweat at the foot of a tree; as 

 ''he who bathes ; s cleanfed from all foulnefs ; as 

 " an oblation Is fancliried by holy grafs ; fo 

 " may this water purify me from iin." And ano- 

 tion with the expiatory text, which re- 

 hearfes the creation, He fhould next fill the palm 



