A DISSERTATION ON SEMIRAMIS, &c. 377, 



the flattering appellation of Mah a -bha'gaj but to 

 no pu pose. She fled into Cusha-duip> on the moun- 

 tains of Vahni-vyapta i and seating herself in the hol- 

 low trunk of a Scwiz-tree, performed Tapasya, (or 

 austere devotion) for the space of nine years ; when 

 fire springing from her, pervaded with rapid violence 

 the whole range of mountains, in so much, that men 

 and animals were terrified, and fled with the utmost 

 precipitation. De'vi, unwilling that her devotion 

 should prove a cause of distress to the animal crea- 

 tion, recalled the sacred flame, and confined it in 

 the $am?-tree. She made the hollow of that tree her 

 place of abode and dalliance; and hence she is called 

 Sami-Ra'ma', or she who dallies in the Samz-tree. 



The fugitives returning, performed the Puja in 

 adoration of her, with songs in her praise. The flame 

 confined in the Saiui-trct still remains in it; and the 

 Devaius are highly delighted with the fire, which is 

 lighted from the Aran: (or cubic wood of that tree.) 

 The Aran: is the mother of fire, and is produced 

 from the Samz-tree. From that time, this sacred tree 

 gives an increase of virtue, and bestows wealth and 

 corn. In the month of AJwina % or Cooar^ the tenth 

 of the first fifteen days of the moon is kept holy, and 

 Puja is made to Sami-Ra'ma' and to the Samz-trce •> 

 and those who perform it obtain the object of their 

 desires. This sacred rite I have hitherto kept con- 

 cealed from the world, says Maha'de'va, but now 

 I make it known for the good of mankind ; and 

 whosoever performs it will be victorious over his 

 enemies for the space of one year. 



During 



