18 J. H. Rivett-Carnac — The Snake Symbol in India. [No. 1, 



But in the temples and in the better class of shrines which abound in the 

 city and the neighbourhood, the snake is generally found encircling the 

 phallus in the manner shewn in Plate VI, fig. 8. 



The tail of the snake is sometimes carried down the yoni, and in one 

 case I found two snakes on a shrine in the manner figured in Plate VI, fig. 

 5, 6. 



In the Benares bazar I once came across a splendid metal cobra, the 

 head erect and hood expanded, so made as to be placed around and above a 

 stone or metal " Mahadeo." It is now in England. The attitude of the 

 cobra when excited and the expansion of the head will suggest the reason 

 for this snake representing Mahadeo and the phallus. 



In several instances in Benares, I have found the Nag surrounding 

 and surmounting the hump of the " Nandi" or Siva's Bull. In such cases 

 the hump is apparently recognised as a Mahadeo, as the remains of flowers, 

 libations and other offerings were found thereon. 



I hardly venture to suggest that the existence of the hump is the 

 reason for the Nandi being selected as the Vahan or " vehicle" of Siva. 

 But the circumstance may be worth noticing. I am of course aware that 

 the Bull is a symbol of generation and reproduction, traceable to its position 

 in the Zodiac at the Vernal Equinox. But it may have been recognised as 

 Siva's Vahan, long before the honor was assigned to it of introducing it 

 into the Equinox. And its position with regard to Siva may have secured 

 for it this important place in the signs of the Zodiac. 



The snake in conjunction with Mahadeo is further to be traced in 

 several of the metal specimens of the collection now forwarded for the 

 inspection of the Society. In two small shrines, containing " Ganas" or 

 assemblages of deities, of which the Mahadeo or Linga is the centre, the 

 Nag or cobra can be seen to hold the chief position at the back of the shrine. 

 In a remarkable bracelet purchased in Benares, consisting of a mass of Maha- 

 deos and yonis, many of which are arranged in circles like cromlechs, the 

 serpent can be traced encircling the phallus. It is again to be seen forming 

 the handle of a spoon and surmounting the figure of Ganesha^ Siva's son, 

 wherewith holy Ganges-water is taken from the cup, and sprinkled over 

 the Mahadeo by pilgrims and worshippers at the shrines of Benares and 

 other Siva temples. It is seen again in the sacrificial lamp, used in the 

 same worship. In the centre of the lamp is a space for a small " Mahadeo," 

 an agate in the shape of an egg, brought, it is said, from Banda and the 

 hilly country of the Nerbudda, rich in these pebbles, which are imported 

 annually in large quantities into Benares. And the snake-canopy can be 

 recognised again forming the back-ground of the shrine of the figure of 

 Anna-Puma Devi, a form of Siva's sakti Parvati. The snake is present 



