ITALY, AND INDIA. 24/J 



" halves formed the heavens and the earth, placing in 

 " the midft; the fubtil ether, the eight points of the 

 " world, and the permanent receptacle of waters." 



To this curious defcription, with which the Mdnava 

 Sdflra begins, I cannot refrain from fubjoiningthe four 

 verfes, which are the text of the Bhdgavat, and are be- 

 lieved to have been pronounced by the Supreme Bein" 

 to Brahma : the following verfion is mod fcrupuloufly 

 literal.* 



" Even I was even at firft, not any other thing; that 

 " which exifts unperceived; fupreme: afterwards lam 

 <; that which is : and he who muft remain, am I. 



" Except the Firft Canfe, whatever may appear, and 

 " may not appear, in the mind, know that to be the 

 " mind's Maya, or Dehjion, as light, as darknefs. 



<{ As the great elements are in various beings, enter- 

 M ing, yet not entering, (that is, pervading, not deftroy- 

 " ing,) thus am I in them, yet not in them. 



" Even thus far may inquiry be made by him who 

 " feeks to know the principle of mind, in union and 

 " feparation, which muft be every where always." 



Wild 



* See the Original, p. 33. Plate IV. 



