Annotations on the sacred writings of the Hindüs : being an epitome of some of the most remarkable and leading tenets in the faith of that people / by Edward Sellon.

  • Sellon, Edward, 1818?-1866.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annotations on the sacred writings of the Hindüs : being an epitome of some of the most remarkable and leading tenets in the faith of that people / by Edward Sellon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    bears a remarkable analogy with the Moloch of Scripture, as well as with Typhon, Saturn, Dis, Pluto, and other divinities of the West. She is eternity, and under this attribute is often repre- sented as trampling her lord Siva under foot; sometimes in paintings we see her sitting upon him in the act of coitus, b}7 which we are to understand that his worship will only last to the end of the world, and then to pass away for ever. She is represented in coitu as typical of the creative power of Siva during the period of his administration, she being the medium, or Sacti, by which his will is carried into operation. Maha Kali* delights in bloodshed and cruelty, and human sacrifices are very acceptable to her. In images and paintings she is pourtrayed as hold- ing in her four hands the heads of victims streaming with blood. Over her shoulders is thrown a neck- lace of human skulls. She is seated on the sacred Padma, or Lotus, and wears a golden tiara on her head. Other representations there are of this ter- rible divinity, in which her features are distorted, hideous fangs project from her mouth; her fingers are armed with talons, like a bird of prey, while her body is entwined with serpents. To Maha Ivali is * Mayanana, one of the names of this Goddess is the same as Phoebe Qoiflt].