THE HINDU RELIGION. 47 



In the course of investigating the ceremonies of 

 the Hindus, and in attempting to develope their 

 meaning, it will be found necessary to compare 

 them with the ceremonies and rites of Egypt: the 

 resemblance is striking; they mutually serve to ex- 

 plain each other ; and leave no doubt in my mind 

 of their connexion, or rather identity. 



The anniliilation of the sect and worship of 

 Brahma, as the Iswara or supreme lord, is alle- 

 gorically described in the Cas'ickand of the Scanda 

 Furdn, where the three powers are mentioned as 

 contending for precedency. Vishnu, at last, ac- 

 knowledges the superiority of SiVa; but Brahma, 

 on account of his presumptuous obstinacy and 

 pri^e, had one of his hca^U cut off by l5i'vA, and 

 liispiija abolished. 



The intent of this fable is evidently to magnify 

 the sect of Siva above those of Brahma arnd 

 Vishnu ; and if, instead of the D^vat/is tbemselves, 

 (wlio are described as the actors in this allegorical 

 'drama) Ave substitute the contending sects, the fa- 

 ble will appear not destitute of foundation in histo- 

 rical fact. 



Of the Va'hans, or Vehicles oftJie Gods. 



When the symbolical worship was introduced, 

 the vehicles of the new deities were necessarily 

 allegorical: the Vdhans of the three supreme per- 

 sonified attributes were purity, truth, and justice ; 

 the first was typified by the Su-an, whicli, clothed 

 with unspotted whiteness, swims amidst the waters, 

 as it were distinct from, and unsullied b}^ them, as 

 the truly pure mind remains untainted amidst the 

 surrounding temptations of the world. 



