THE HINDU RELIGION. 61 



As this beneficial stream makes its way from the 

 tops of that mountain through the creepers and un- 

 derwood, which seem to obstruct its passage to the 

 plains, it is represented to flow from the head of 

 the Deity, through his jat'a. or clotted hair: and 

 as tigers, elephants, and serpents, infest the skirts 

 of the mountains, he is surrounded with serpents, 

 his lower clothing is the skin of the elephant, and 

 he is seated on that of the tis-er. lie is likewise 

 called Ni'l-Cant'ha (blue neck), from the ap- 

 pearance which the clouds assume when arrested 

 in their course by the overtopping summit of the 

 mountain. 



He has likewise the title of Girl I'sVara, or lord 

 of mountains; and this union of the attributes of 

 Si'vA with those of the mountain, is more dis- 

 tinctly pointed out in his marriage with Pa'rvati', 

 a derivative from par^cat^ a mountain. 



As the image of Si'va, in this character, was an 

 object of local veneration, its worship was probably 

 confined to the banks of the Games. Had it reached 

 the nations of Europe, he would have been consi- 

 dered as a distinct and separate divinity, and ranked 

 amongst the river Gods. This symbol is admitted 

 by the Vaishnavas : but in order to ascribe this in- 

 estimable gift to Vishnu, and to assert his su- 

 periority over Si'vA, they insist that the river first 

 flowed out of Vaicunfha (the heaven of Vishnu), 

 from the feet of Vishnu; that when it had de- 

 scended upon the mountain Cailas, it was received 

 by Si'va, and placed on his head amongst his 

 plaited locks. 



On Jagan-Na'th, &c. 



The temple of Jagan-Na'th is a famous resort for 

 pilgrims of all sects, for it is revered by all, it is a 

 converging point where all the contending parties 

 imite in harmony with each other. Vv'hat is the 



