from tha Ancient Books of the Hindus. 457 



Gaurivdyands, : Mcijbayarm$ r 



Cdrundyands, 5, • / Cdmacdyands, 



Bhritydyands, SSncbaldyands, 



Sichdydnds, Cdsucdyands* 



XII. The tale of Lubdhaca relates both to the morals and aftrono- 

 my of the Hindus, and is constantly recited by the Brdbmcns on the. night 

 of Siva, which falls on the fourteenth of Mdgha or of P'kd/gun, accor- 

 ding as the month begins from the oppoation or from the conjunction. 



Lubdhaca wis defcended from the race of Pal/i, and governed all the 

 tribes oi&rdtas : he was violent Lnd cruel, addicted pafhonatcly to theplea- 

 fures of the chafe, killing innocent beafts without pity; and eating their ftefh 

 without remorfe. On the fourteenth lunar day of the^dark half of P y hdl- 

 gun, he had found no game in the foreft; and at funfet, faint with hun- 

 ger, he roved along the banks of the Cn&hnd, ftill earneftly looking for 

 fome animal whom he might fhoot : at the beginning of night he afcended 

 a Bifoa-tree, which is con'fecrated to Maha'de'va, whofe emblem had 

 .been fixed under it near a fpring of water j and, with a hope of difceming 

 fome beaft through the br, nches, he tore off the leaves, which dropped on 

 the linga, fprinkling it with dew,- fo that he performed facred rites to the 

 God, without intending any act of religion. In the firit watch of the 

 night a large male antelope came to the fpring; and Lubdhaca, hearing 

 the found which he made in drinking, fixed his arrow, and took aim 

 at the place, whence the noife proceeded; when the animal, being endued 

 by Siva uith fpeech and intellect, told him, that he had made an aihg- 

 nation with a beloved female, and requeued him to wait with patience till 

 the next day, on which he promifed to return: the mighty hunter was fof- 



Kkk 



