No 11. — 1858-9.] Sinhalese mythology. 287 



I have already referred to the cause of this stain in his neck. 

 It is thus beautifully described in Wilkin's translation of a 

 portion of the llaha Bhdrata : — 



As they continued to churn the ocean more than enough, that deadly 

 poison issued from its bed, burning like a raging tire, whos? dreadful fumes 

 in a moment spread throughout the world, confounding the three 

 regions of the universe with its mortal stench, until Seev, at the word 

 of Brahma, swallowed the fatal drug to save mankind, which remaining 

 in the throat of that sovereign Deva of magic form, from that time 

 he was called Nilkant, because his throat was stained hi i.e. 



The worship of this Deva commenced about 200 years after 

 Buddhism had sprung up amongst the Hindus ; and it appears 

 that although it was at first resisted by the votaries of Brahma, 

 yet that the popular feeling was so great in favor of the 

 innovation, that Brahman s speedily gave way, and embraced 

 the new faith. The ceremonials connected with the worship 

 of this Deva, who presides over generation, are too disgusting 

 and revolting to be described here ; and I shall therefore dis- 

 miss the subject by simply quoting from an orthodox Buddhist 

 poet, who exclaims — 



gagss-Doo^ di®&53, &>5(33 egqe(3 &>&q 9^5) so 

 What benefit is there from sacrifices to a Deva, whose ceremonial 

 worship, consisting of a show of the emblem of generation, is productive, 

 of either disgust or lust in the mind ! 



6. Vishnu, the object of adoration of thousands in India, 

 holds a distinguished place in the Buddhistical annals of this 

 country ;— and there is scarcely a single temple* in Ceylon 

 in which a room is not set apart tor an image of this Deva. 

 He is variously described in our books, according to his 

 different qualities, acts, and virtues. 



According to the Maha Bhdrata it was Vishnu, who at the 

 instigation of the sun and moon decapitated Rdhu, who is 

 described as an A sura or " demon," that stole a draught of 



* In some instances, as at Lankatilaka, near Kandy, the Vihar a 

 . and the Devoid are under the same roof. See Forbes' Ceylon. 



