from the Ancient Books of the Hindus. 411 



of the people, and to prepare them for the coming of the three princi- 

 pal deities. 



Vishnu came in the character of Jin A, inveighing againfl facriflces, 

 prayers, pilgrimage, and the ceremonies prefcribed by the Veda, and avert- 

 ing, that all true religion con filled in killing no creature that had life : his 

 confort Jaya'de'vi" preached this new doctrine to her own fex; and the in- 

 habitants of Cap were perplexed with doubts. He was followed by Maha'- 

 de'va, in the form of Arhan or Mahiman, accompanied by his wife 

 Maha'ma'nya", with a multitude of male and female attendants : he fup- 

 ported the tenets of Jin a, alledging his own fuperiority over Brahma' and 

 Vishnu, and referring, for the truth of his allegation, to Jina himfelf, who 

 fell proflrate before him ; and they travelled together over the world endea- 

 vouring to fpread their herefies. At length appeared Brahma' in the figure 

 of Buddha, whofe confort was named Vijny'a : he confirmed the princi- 

 ples inculcated by his predecefTors, and, finding the people feduced, he began, 

 in the capacity of a Brahmen, to corrupt the mind of the king. Divo'da'sa 

 liftened to him with complacency, loft his dominion, and gave way to 

 Maha'de'va, who returned to his former place of refidencej but the de- 

 pofed king, reflecting too late on his weaknefs, retired to the banks of the 

 Gomaii, where he built a fortrefs, and began to build a city on the fame plan 

 with Cafi : the ruins of both are flill to be feen near Chan-woe about fourteen 

 miles above the confluence of the Gumti with the Ganges and about twenty 

 to the north of Dandres. It is added, that Maha'de'va, having vainly 

 contended with the numerous and obilinate followers of the new doctrine, 

 refolved to exterminate them; and for that purpofe took the fhape of San- 

 car a, furnamed A chary a, who explained the Vedas to the people, deftroyed 

 the temples of the Jamas, caufed their books to be burned, and maflacred 



Dddz 



