353 
the form of the Suii *^ Avhich is more particu- 
larly worshipped under the name of the god 
Soiirya, Notwithstanding this analogy of ideas 
and of signs, we think, that the three footsteps, 
which form the twenty-third nacshatra, sravana, 
have only an accidental resemblance with the 
three prints of feet, that represent the sign ollin. 
M. de Chezy, who was very profoundly versed 
jn the Persian and Sanscrit languages, observes, 
that the srmana of the Indian zodiac alludes to 
a legend highly distinguished among the Hin- 
doos, and recorded in the greater part of their 
sacred books, particularly in the Bhagavat-Pou- 
ranam. Vishnou, desirous of punishing the pride 
of a giant, who thought himself as powerful as 
the gods, presents himself under the form of a 
dwarf, and entreats him to grant in his vast em- 
pire the space he can measure with three of his 
steps ; the giant assents with a smile, and at the 
instant the dwarf rises to so prodigious a stature, 
that in two steps he measures the space between 
Heaven and Earth. As he asks, at the third 
step, where he can place his foot, the giant re- 
cognizes the god Vishnou, and prostrates himself 
before him. This fable so well explains the 
figure of the nacshatra sravana, that it would be 
difficult to admit the connexion of this sign with 
that of ollin ; as cipactli, and the Mexican Noah, 
* Asiatic Researches, vol. 1, p. 200. 
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