1854.] On tJie Ballads and Legends of the 'Punjab. 149 



doubt Oodirmgr like other Hindoo cities was adorned with many 

 a graceful obelisk. 



(8). The peepul glooms alone 



Each leaf some restless sprite hath made his own peculiar throne. 



The peepul (Eicus religiosa) being an aspen, is supposed by Hin- 

 doos to be haunted by myriads of evil spirits corresponding in 

 number to the leaves of the tree, the fluttering of which is attri- 

 buted to their agency. 



Therefore, though Hindoos enjoy the deep shade of the peepul 

 by day when the power of those spirits is limited, they dislike 

 sleeping under that tree at night. 



(9). And from the fane no tinkling bell announc'd stern 

 Shiv'h's rite. 



It is difficult by any arrangement of the letters of our alphabet 

 to give the sound of this name. Shiv'h it is well known is the god 

 of destruction of the present Hindoo creed, i. e. he is the destroy- 

 ing form of the great spirit Bruhm ; and by the law of nature, his 

 worship has for many ages, almost superseded that of all other gods 

 of the Hindoo code. 



For with the choice of three attributes of the Divine Essence 

 as objects of his adoration, the Hindoo speedily forgot the creator 

 Brahma, and the preserver Vishnoo, to devote himself to the de- 

 stroyer Shiv'h. In the oldest of Hindoo histories (which however 

 is modern compared with those of Europe) I mean the Raja Taran- 

 gini, we find mention of innumerable temples dedicated to the god 

 of destruction, but very few to the more beneficent attributes of 

 the Deity, which is proof that the abuse is of several centuries' 

 growth, and not the consequence of the Hindoos' degradation as a 

 conquered people. 



The Hindoo is summoned to the worship of Shiv'h by the sounds 

 of the bell and of the conch. 



(10). Yon pile of bread might feast for years the Pandoo in his 

 pride. 



The Pandoos in India hold the place held by the Cyclops in 

 Sicily. Even the Indo-Greek buildings in Cashmere which date 

 probably from the 1st century of our era, are ascribed to the Pan- 

 doos. 



