SACRED ISLES IN THE WEST. 69 



for which he was severely punished. The s.un, after he was shorn of his 

 rays, had no dhje^lion to his father-in-law keeping them, and appropria- 

 ting them to whatever use he thought proper. 



The next legend from the Bhavishya-purdrCa is most curious and 

 interesting to us. It certainly tends to prove, not only an early con- 

 nexion between the White Island, and India ; but also that there is a 

 tribe of Brdhnens in Lidia to this day, a6lually descended from a sa- 

 cerdotal rac^ residing originally inH^e 'White Island. There can be no 

 question a1)r5ut^ the genuineness' of this legend, as it is well known to 

 learned and ^veri unlearned Bf'ahmens in general. Learned men in India 

 readily Acknowledge, that thebrahmenical tribes are by no means native 

 of that country ;■ they came from the north, and entered India , through 

 the pass of Hari-dwdr; and their first settlement was at Canya-cuhja or 

 Canog^. r This they readily acknowledge, though they cannot product 

 any documents on that subjeft from their sacred books. 



They also acknowledge, that the light of revelation came from the 

 ""West, and that the Vcdas reside in the White Island in human shapes. 

 This notion is openly avowed in their sacred books: as well as, that 

 the fundamental mysteries of their religion, are intimately connefted 

 with the White Island; and that the momentous events, which took 

 place in consequence of them, either to create the world, or to bring 

 on the regeneration of mankind, and jshow them the path to heave^ 

 and eternal bliss, a61ually ciime to pass in the White Island, or its 

 adjacent sea. However explicit this legend and several others may ap- 

 pear ; yet we are too well acquainted with the Paurdn'ics to put any 

 reliance upon them, and to consider them as sufficient authority. The 



S 



