purifying water of the Ganges, comes to the temple to awake the god. He first blows a shell and rings a bell; then presents water and a towel, and mutters certain prayers, inviting the god to awake, &c. The offerings made to the forms of Vishnoo are much greater in quantity than those presented to Shivů. About noon, fruits, roots, soaked peas, sweetmeats, &c. are presented to the image; and after this, that which answers to the English idea of dinner, consisting of boiled rice, fried herbs, spices, &c. Vishnoo neither eats flesh, fish, nor fowl. After dinner, betle nut, &c. in leaves of the betle vine, are given to be chewed. The god is then left to sleep, and the temple is shut up. While he sleeps the bramhuns eat the offerings. In the evening, curds, butter, sweetmeats, fruits, &c. are presented, and at this hour people come to the temple to look at the god and make their obeisance. After the setting of the sun, a lamp is brought into the temple, and a small quantity of milk, sweetmeats, &c. are offered. The priests wave a lamp of five lights before the image, ring a small bell, present water to wash the mouth, face, and feet, and a toweld. After the offerings have continued before the god about ten minutes, they are withdrawn, as well as the lamp, and the god is shut up in the dark all night.

a When I enquired into the meaning of these ceremonies, I was informed, that they were in imitation of the service paid to Krishna when he used to return from tending the cattle-water to wash himself, a towel, lights to examine where the thorns had entered his feet or any other parts of the body, a hell to testify their joy that he was arrived in safety, and some food to refresh him after the fatigues of the day in following the herds.

BOOK III.

OF THE STATED PERIODS OF WORSHIP, AND VARIOUS DUTIES AND CEREMONIES.

CHAP. I.

OF THE TIMES OF WORSHIP.

SECT. I.-Lunar Days.

THE eighth, eleventh, fourteenth, and fifteenth lunar days, both of the increase and decrease of the moon in each month, are considered as fortunate days. At the full moon in Asharhů, Kartiků, Maghŭ, and Voishakhů, religious ceremonies are peculiarly meritorious, especially gifts to learned bramhŭns; but on the third lunar day in Voishakhů, their merit is imperishable. Bathing in the Ganges on the tenth lunar day in Jyoisht'hu, is extremely meritorious. The second lunar day in Asharhŭ, and the eleventh in Shravůnů, are auspicious times for religious ceremonies. The performance of the shraddhŭ during the decrease of the moon in Bhadrŭ is a work of great merit. On the seventh, eighth, and ninth lunar days of Ashwinŭ, the eleventh in Kartikŭ, the fifth lunar day in Maghu, the thirteenth in Phalgoonů, and the seventh in Choitrů, and at the full moon in Poushŭ, very great benefits flow from religious acts. On all these days the Hindoos are particularly occupied in the different ceremonies of their religion.

SECT. II.-Weekly Ceremonies.

SOME Hindoos fast every Sunday, and perform the worship of their guardian deity Sōōryů. Others, to fulfil a vow, fast on a Monday, performing the worship of Shivů. Others, who suppose themselves to be under the baneful influence of the planet Saturn, fast on a Saturday, and endeavour to propitiate this god by acts of devotion.

SECT. III.-Monthly Ceremonies.

THE Shyama festival is held monthly by certain Hindoos. The shraddhŭ should be repeated monthly. Some persons, not able to attend to the weekly ceremonies connected with their vows, perform them monthly.

SECT. IV.-Annual Festivals.

THE festivals of Doorga, Shyama, Jugŭddhatrēē, Kartiků, Mŭhish-mŭrdinēē, Rŭtuntēē, Ünnŭ-pōōrna, Phůlůharēē, Shivŭ, Krishnŭ, Gŭnéshŭ, &c. are held annually. Two festivals of Shivă and nine of Krishnŭ are annual.

The following account of the Hindoo festivals in each month of the year is taken from the Tit❜hee-tuttwŭ :—

* It is rather singular, that both in the European and Hindoo mythology the two first days of the week should be called after the same gods: Răvee-varů, Sunday, from Ruvee, the sun; and Somú-vară, Monday, from Somu, the moon.

Voishakhu.-On the third lunar day, (the anniversary of Gunga's descent,) the worship of Gunga, of the mountains Koilasŭ and Himalŭyŭ, of Bhŭgēērŭť'hŭ, and of Shivů. On the twelfth lunar day the bathing and worship of Vishnoo.

Jyoisht'hu.-On the tenth lunar day, (the anniversary of . the birth of Gunga,) the worship of Munusa, and of the nagus, (serpents.) At the full moon, the bathing of Jugunnat’hŭ; and on the fourteenth of the wane of the moon, the worship of the goddess Savitrēē.

Asharhu. On the second lunar day, the drawing of Jugunnat❜hu's car, with the worship of this god, and of Bŭlůramů and Soobhŭdra. On the tenth, the return of the car, and the worship of these three gods. The next day is the anniversary of Vishnoo's lying down to sleep.

Shravunu.-At the full moon, the dolů festival. On the eighth of the wane, (the anniversary of the birth of Krishnŭ,) the worship of this god, of his father, Jushoda, Rohinēē, Chůndika, Bŭlŭramů, Důkshů, Gurgu, Brůmha, Lŭkshmēē, and Shust'hēē.

Bhadru. On the seventh lunar day, the worship of Shivů and Doorga; and on the seventh, the worship of Mănŭsa, before small sheaves of dōōrva grass. On the twelfth, the worship of Indru, before a kind of flag-staff made with a tree called důmŭnů. On the fourteenth, the worship of Ununtů. The shraddhŭ is performed every day during the wane of the moon.

Ashwinu. From the first to the ninth lunar day, the worship of Doorga. At the full moon, the worship of

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Lukshmee, and the game of Chŭtoorajee; and on the last day of the moon, the Shyama festival.

Kartiku. On the first lunar day, the worship of king Bulee; and on the second that of Yumŭ, and the feasting of own brothers by their sisters b. On the eight, the worship of Guroorů; and on the ninth, that of Jugŭddhatrēē. At the full moon, the rasă festival, and the worship of Shyama before a picture. At the entrance of the sun into a new sign, or on the last day of Kartiků, the worship of Kartikŭ.

Ugrŭhayŭnů.—On the sixth lunar day, the worship of Kartikŭ; and on the seventh, eighth, and ninth, that of Muhishu-mŭrdinee. On the fourteenth that of Goŭree; and on the seventh of the wane of the moon, the offerings to the dead.

Poŭshů.-On the eighth of the decrease of the moon, the offerings to the dead. On the fourteenth, the Shyama festival.

Maghu. On the fourth, the worship of Goŭree; on the fifth, that of Suruswůtee, and of the inkstand; on the sixth, that of Shusht'hee; on the seventh, that of Sōōryŭ; and on the eighth, that of Bheeshmů. On the eighth of the decrease of the moon, the offerings to the dead; and on the fourteenth, the anniversary of the rise of the lingů.

b The smritee shastrus ordain this custom. The manner of keeping it is as follows:-The sisters mark the foreheads of the brothers with white powder, and present them with garments, poitas, &c. and provide a great feast. It is said that Yumŭ and his sister Yumoona established this custom.

VOL. II.