Phallism : a description of the worship of lingam-yoni in various parts of the world, and in different ages: with an account of ancient & modern crosses, particularly of the crux ansata (or handled cross), and other symbols connected with the mysteries of sex worship.

Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Phallism : a description of the worship of lingam-yoni in various parts of the world, and in different ages: with an account of ancient & modern crosses, particularly of the crux ansata (or handled cross), and other symbols connected with the mysteries of sex worship. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    veils. After sitting awhile in silence they arose, and went back to their houses with slow and troubled steps. The devotees returned about the same time from their wanderings after Prakreety. The days that followed were days of embarrassment and shame. If the women had failed in their modesty the devo¬ tees had broken their vows. They were vexed at their weakness, they were sorry for what they had done ; yet the tender sigh sometimes broke forth, and the eye often turned to where the men first saw the maid, the women the Pandaram. But the people began to perceive that what the devotees fore¬ told came not to pass. Their disciples, in consequence, neglected to attend them, and the offerings from the princes and the nobles became less frequent than before. They then performed various penances; they sought for secret places among the woods, unfre¬ quented by man; and having at last shut their eyes from the things of this world, and retired within themselves in deep medi¬ tation, they discovered that Sheevah was the author of their misfortunes. Their understanding being imperfect, instead of bowing the head with humility they were inflamed with anger ; instead of contrition for their hypocrisy they sought for ven- / geance. They performed new sacrifices and incantations, which were only allowed to have effect in the end to show the extreme folly of man in not submitting to the will of heaven. Their incantations produced a tiger, whose mouth was like a cavern, and his voice like thunder among the mountains. They sent him against Sheevah, who, with Prakreety, was amusing himself in the vale. He smiled at their weakness, and killing the tiger at one blow with his club, he covered himself with his skin. Seeing themselves frustrated in this attempt the devotees had recourse to another, and sent serpents against them of the most deadly kind. But on approaching him they became harmless, and he twisted them round his neck. They then sent their curses and imprecations against him, but they all recoiled upon themselves. Not yet disheartened by all these disappointments, they collected all their prayers, their penances, their charities, and other good works, the most acceptable of all sacrifices, and demanding in return only vengeance against Sheevah, they sent a consuming fire to destroy his genital parts. Sheevah, incensed at this attempt, turned the fire with indignation against the human race, and mankind would soon have been destroyed, had not Vishnu, alarmed at the danger, implored him to suspend his wrath. At his entreaties Sheevah relented. But it was ordained