A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature / by John Dowson.

  • Dowson, John, active 1913.
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature / by John Dowson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Brahma, took a creative form as Brahma the PrajapatL From the Prajapati, or great progenitor, there was produced a daughter, and by her he was the father of the human race. The explana- tions and details of this connection vary, but there is a general accord that the Prajapati was the progenitor of all mankind by a female produced from himself. Before the times of the Brah- ma?ias some of the old myths of the hymns had crystallised, the personifications had become more distinct, and the ideas from which they had been developed had grown hazy or were quite forgotten. Philosophy speculated as to the origin of the worlds theories were founded upon etymologies, and legends were in- vented to illustrate them. These speculations and illustrations in course of time hardened into shape, and became realities Avhen the ideas which gave them birth were no longer remem- bered and understood. The priestly order had advanced in power, and had taken a more prominent and important position, but the Kshatriya or second class held a high place, and asserted something like an equality with the Brahmans even in matters of learning. Another interval elapsed between the days of the Brahma ?;a and of Manu. The theory of the golden egg is held by Manu, and he calls the active creator who was produced from it Brahma and Narayana, the latter name being one which was afterwards exclusively appropriated by Vishwu But the most remarkable change observable in Manu is in the condition of the people, in the great advancement of the Brahmanical caste, the establish- ment of the four great castes, and the rise of a number of mixed castes from cross intercourse of these four. In a hymn called Puruslia-siikta, one of the latest hymns of the i??g-veda, tliere is a distinct recognition of three classes. Brahmans, Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas, and these appear more distinctlj’’ in the Brahma7?a, Init no mention of tlie Sudras and mixed castes has been found before the work of Manu. The Ramayaiia and ]Maha-bharata are poems of tlie heroic age, and tliougli they arc full of marvels, they deal more with tlie actions of mortal men and romantic creations than the might and majesty of the gods. The old deities of the Vedas have retired into the background, and some have disappeared alto-