CHAP. VI - ANALYSIS OF ALL THE HINDOO SECTS

Summary

This work begins with the following invocation to Doorga:—‘May she who removes the darkness of the mind, who is revealed from everlasting, who, though invisible, exists in the earth, who enlightens the ignorant, whose forehead is adorned with the crescent, the fixed rays of whose body resemble the lightning, whose body is like the clouds—descend into my mind.’

[Then follows an account of the author's family; after which the author introduces the reader to the court of Dŭkshŭ, king of Goŭrŭ, where the priest of the king, and a number of learned men, are assembled in the presence of the monarch.]

In the first place, the master of the ceremonies announces to the monarch the approach of a Voishnŭvŭ, in the following words:—‘May it please your Majesty, the person now approaching wears the mark of his sect, extending from the tip of his nose to the centre of his head; has the representations of the weapons of Vishnoo impressed on his body; is clothed in yellow garments, and wears a necklace of toolŭsēē beads; he has purified his body by bathing, &c. and repeats the name Hŭree, Hŭree, as he comes.’ The voishnŭvŭ now approaches the king, and says, ‘May Vishnoo enter thy mind; he on whom Shivŭ and all the gods, sitting as yogēēs, meditate; he who dwells in Voikoont'hŭ; he who fills the universe, but remains invisible; and whose body resembles that of Brŭmha.‘—Saying this, he takes his seat in the assembly.