353 



the form of the San *, which is more particu- 

 larly worshipped under the name of the god 

 Sourya. Notwithstanding this analogy of ideas 

 and of signs, we think, that the three footsteps, 

 which form the twenty-third nacshatra, sravana, 

 have only an accidental resemblance with the 

 three prints of feet, that represent the sign ollin. 

 M. de Chezy, who was very profoundly versed 

 |n the Persian and Sanscrit languages, observes, 

 that the sravana of the Indian zodiac alludes to 

 a legend highly distinguished among the Hin- 

 doos, and recorded in the greater part of their 

 sacred books, particularly in the Bhagavat-Pou- 

 ranam. Vishnou, desirous of punishing the pride 

 of a giant, who thought himself as powerful as 

 the gods, presents himself under the form of a 

 dwarf, and entreats him to grant in his vast em- 

 pire the space he can measure with three of his 

 steps ; the giant assents with a smile, and at the 

 instant the dwarf rises to so prodigious a stature, 

 that in two steps he measures the space between 

 Heaven and Earth. As he asks, at the thir^ 

 step, where he can place his foot, the giant re- 

 cognizes the god Vishnou, and prostrates himself 

 before him. This fable so well explains the 

 figure of the nacshatra sravana, that it would be 

 difficult to admit the connexion of this sign with 

 that of ollin ; as cipactli, and the Mexican Noah, 



* Asiatic Researches, vol. 1, p. 200. 

 VOL. XIII. A A 



