HINDOO MYTHOLOGY. 7 
the only result of the churning of the ocean. Among other valuable gems 
Lakshmi (also called Sri) (pl. 1, fig. 16), the goddess of beauty and for- 
tune, like another Venus, was born of its foam, and Vishnu, captivated by 
her charms, made her his wife. In the third Avatar ( Vaharavatara) 
Vishnu took upon himself the form of a boar (pl. 2, jig. 5). This incarna- 
tion took place to save the earth from a watery grave; for the giant 
Eriniak-Shasser (Hirana- Yatsha, the golden-eyed) had seized the earth 
and cast himself with it into the depths of the sea. Vishnu, in order to 
preserve it, descended into the abyss in the shape of a boar, where, after a 
severe contest, he slew the giant, and then emerged with the earth on the 
point of his tusks. The earth, however, had lost its balance in consequence 
of its immersion ; he added, therefore, a few mountains of great height to 
its bulk, and thus restored its equilibrium. In the fourth Avatar (ara- 
singhavatara) Vishnu appears in the form of a man-lion bursting forth from 
a pillar (pl. 1, fig. 18), which divided into two parts to give him egress. 
This incarnation took place in consequence of the blasphemous conduct of 
the giant Hirayacasipu. This giant, who had obtained from Brahma, by 
means of a long penance, the boon of universal empire, an exemption from 
death by the hands of either god or man, and that no animal should be 
permitted to hurt him upon earth, became insolent even to the gods, and 
caused himself to be worshipped ; and when exhorted by his son to abstain 
from such conduct, he replied by defying Vishnu and all other gods. They 
were standing before the consecrated pillar erected at the threshold when 
he exclaimed: “Show me this mighty god and his abode, and I will soon 
convince thee that he must lie subdued at my feet.” Hardly had he uttered 
these words when the pillar burst asunder, and before him stood the 
terrible Wavasingha (the man-lion), who threw himself upon him, and lifteng 
him off the ground, tore his bowels out of his body. The fifth Avatar 
( Vamanavatara) is that in which the god appears in the form of a dwarf- 
brahmin (pl. 2, fig. 6), who is called Braman Vimana. The giant Bely 
had, by the usual process of penances, obtained from the gods such gifts as 
-made him independent of them. He then pursued a behavior similar to 
that of his predecessors, bidding defiance to the gods. To subdue him ~ 
Vishnu assumed the form of a dwarf, and while the giant was offering 
sacrifice, Braman Vimana asked for a spot large enough to build him a 
cottage on. As soon as this was granted to him he expanded his body to 
such a degree that it filled the whole world, while he stood with one foot on 
earth and the other in heaven. Bely, who was at first astonished at the 
metamorphosis, now recognised Vishnu, and throwing himself down, 
embraced his foot and begged for pardon; which was granted to him on 
account of his speedy repentance. His mission during the sixth Avatar 
was to destroy the giant Z2avana, King of Ceylon, who had ten heads and 
twenty arms (pil. 1, jig. 23). Ravana’s offence was that of his predecessors, 
his having set himself up as an object of worship. Vishnu, under the 
name of Parasu Rama, aided by the king’s brother, attacked him, and 
after a terrible battle slew him with a weapon which Brahma himself had 
presented to him. He then liberated his wife, Lakshmi, who was incarnate 
227 
