THE HINDU RELIGIOir. 83 



In some places, they arc thus enumerated : 

 Bra'hmi', Ma'heVwari', Aindri', Va'ra'hi', 

 Vaishn'avi', Cauma'ri', Cha'mun'da', and 

 Charchjca'. However, some authorities reduce 

 the number to seven; omiting Cha'mun'da' and 

 Charchica'; but inserting Cauve'ri'. 



Prayers are addressed to the Mafris on various 

 occasions ; especially in the Cavachas, or defensive 

 incantations. I shall cite two by way of example ; 

 and subjoin extracts from the Mdrcand'iya purdna, 

 descriptive of these goddesses. 



"May Brahma'ni', conferring the benefit of 

 all benedictions, protect me on the east ; and 

 ISIa'ra'yan'i', on the south-east, for the sake of 

 realising every wish Ma'heVvvari'' too, on the 

 south, rendering every thing auspicious; Cha'- 

 mun'da", on the south-east, discomfiting all ene- 

 mies; and, on the west, Cauma'ri', armed vvithher 

 lance and slayer of foes : on the north-west, Apa- 

 jra'jita', the beauteous giver of Victory ; on the 

 north, Va'ra'hi', granter of boons ; and on the 

 north-east, Na'r..sinhi', the banisher of terrour. 

 May these mothers, being eight Deities and active 

 powers, defend me." 



Another incantation simply enumerates the same 

 eight goddesses ; and proceeds thus : " may these 

 and all Mdtr'is guard me with their respective wea- 

 pons, on all quarters and on every point. 



In the Devi mdhdtmya^ the assembling of the 

 Mcitris to combat the demons is thus described. 

 *,The energy of each god, exacly like him. with ttie 

 same form, the same decoration, and tl:e same \-e- 

 Jiicle, came to fight against the demons. I'lie ^'.^tY; 

 of Brahma', girt with a white cord and bearing a 

 hollow gourd, arrived on a car yoked with swans; iicr 



G2 



