Part Iii. The Inferior Deities : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 491 INDEX. A. Adikavi, a name of Brahm, 107 Aditi, character and attributes of, 17; resorted to for pardon, 17; origin of, 18; the mother of Vishnu in the Dwarf incarnation, 18 dityas, the, 18; various lists of, 19; probably...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 04 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], 8. THE KRISHNA AVATRA. Professor Goldstcker says * that this "is the most interesting incarnation of Vishnu, both on account of the opportunity which it affords to trace in Hindu antiquity the gradual transformation of mortal heroes...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter Iii. Dyaus : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 13 CHAPTER III. DYAUS AND PRITHIVI. The general opinion respecting Dyaus (Heaven) and Prithivi (Earth) is that they are amongst the most ancient of the Aryan deities, hence they are spoken of in the hymns of the Rig-Ved...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 13 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], CHAITANYA. Chaitanya is believed by his followers to have been an incarnation of Vishnu; and as he lived in historical times, about 300 years ago, it is interesting to notice p. 254 how a human being came to be regarded as divine. He...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter Vii : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 448 CHAPTER VII. SACRED ANIMALS AND BIRDS. Some of the animals regarded as sacred have already been mentioned in connection with the deities to whom they are specially dear, and in whose worship they participate. They are regarded...
Part Ii. The Puranic Deities. Chapter V : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 116 CHAPTER IV. VISHNU AND LAKSHMI. VISHNU. Vishnu is called the second person of the Hindu Trimurti, or Triad: but though called "second", it must not be supposed that he is regarded as in any way inferior to Brahm. In some books...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter Viii : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 460 CHAPTER VIII. GANG. Gang (the Ganges), the chief of the sacred streams of India, whose waters are said to have the power of cleansing from all past, present, and future sins, is GANG. believed to be divine, and the account...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 09 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], 3. THE VARHA OR BOAR AVATRA. There is the same conflicting account of this as of the two preceding incarnations; the older books, and some of the more modern ones, describing it as an Avatra of Brahm; and some of the modern books...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], 10. THE KALKI AVATRA. This incarnation, unlike those already described, has yet to be made. It is the hope of the Hindus, that he who has so frequently visited the earth to restore order and happiness will come yet ag...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter X : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 473 CHAPTER X. MISCELLANEOUS MINOR DEITIES. 1. SHITALA. Shitala is the Bengali name for the small-pox, and for the deity who is supposed to have charge of that disease. The meaning of the word is "She who makes cold." SHITAL...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter Ix : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 469 CHAPTER IX. SACRED TREES. Several trees are regarded as sacred; they being representative of, or peculiarly dear to, some of the deities. It is a meritorious act to plant and water them, and such is the respect cherished...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 08 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 149 4. THE NRISINGHA OR MAN-LION AVATRA. In the account of the preceding incarnation, it was stated that Vishnu, ere he raised the earth on his tusk, slew a demon named Hiranyksha. This daitya had a THE NRISINGHA AVATRA. brother...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 12 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], KAMADEVA. Kmadeva, the Indian Cupid, is generally regarded as the son of Vishnu and Lakshmi, under the forms of Krishna and Rukmini, but he is also described in some places as a son of Brahm. The latter account of his origin arises...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter Vii : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 53 CHAPTER VII. THE STORM DEITIES. 1. INDRA. As was noticed previously, Indra, together with Agni and Surya, by means of sacrifice obtained supremacy INDRA. over the other gods; and if we may judge from the number of hymns...
Chapter Vi. Siva : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 262 CHAPTER VI. SIVA. Siva is the third person of the Hindu Triad. As Brahm was Creator, Vishnu Preserver, in order to SIVA. p. 263 complete the system, as all things are subject to decay, a Destroyer was necessary;...
Part Ii. The Puranic Deities. Chapter I : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 87 PART II. THE PURNIC DEITIES. p. 88 GANESA. p. 89 THE PURNIC DEITIES. CHAPTER I. THE PURNAS. The chief sources of information respecting the modern mythology of the Hindus are the two great Epics--the Rmyan...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter Iv : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 411 CHAPTER IV. THE DEMIGODS OF THE MAHBHRATA. As these heroes are so intimately connected with each other, a separate account of each would necessitate frequent repetition; they will therefore be noticed together, in a brief...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 06 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], 6. THE PARASURMA AVATRA. The incarnation of Parasurma, or Rma with axe, was undertaken by Vishnu for the purpose of exterminating the Kshattriya, or Warrior caste, * which had tried to assert its authority over the Brhmanical...
Title Page : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], HINDU MYTHOLOGY, VEDIC AND PURANIC BY W. J. WILKINS Calcutta: Thacker, Spink London: W. Thacker & Co. [1900] Scanned, proofed and formatted by John Bruno Hare, May 2009. This text is in the public domain because it was published...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 02 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 225 9. THE BUDDHA AVATRA. This incarnation of Vishnu is "originally foreign to the cycle of the Avatras of Vishnu, and therefore is only briefly alluded to in some of Purnas. Where this is done, the intention must have been...
Untitled : * This is a comprehensive study of Hindu mythology. Due to the huge number of gods and goddesses, and their changing role through centuries of Indian spiritual life, this is a complex subject. This book covers Hindu mythology during the Vedic and Puranic periods. Wilkins starts with the very...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter X. Yama : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 78 CHAPTER X. YAMA. Yama, the judge of men and king of the unseen world, was the son of Vivasvat (the sun) and Saranya, the daughter of Tvastri. He was born before his mother YAMA. had become afraid of her glorious husband. He w...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 14 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], JAGANNTH. This deity is not reckoned as one of the Avatras of Vishnu in the Purnic lists. Tradition declares him to be, and common belief accepts him as, an appearance of Vishnu himself, and not the incarnation of a portion of his...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 10 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], 2. THE KRMA OR TORTOISE AVATRA. This incarnation was necessitated by the fact that the gods were in danger of losing their authority over the demons. In their distress they applied to Vishnu for help, who told them to churn the se...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter V : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 431 CHAPTER V. THE PLANETS. "At the great festivals of the Hindus a small offering is made to all the planets at once; but, excepting on these occasions, they are never worshipped together. They are, however, frequently worshipped...
Part Ii. The Puranic Deities. Chapter Iii : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 98 CHAPTER III. BRAHM AND SARASVATI. BRAHM. Brahm, the first of the three great Hindu gods, is called the Creator; he is the father of gods and men, the BRAHM. [paragraph continues] Vedic Prajpati, the lord of creatures. As nearly...
Chapter Viii. Sons Of Siva And Parvati : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 323 CHAPTER VIII. SONS OF SIVA AND PRVATI. 1. GANESA. GANESA is usually regarded as the elder son of Siva and Prvati, but the Purnas differ very considerably in their GANESA. accounts of his origin. Sir W. Jones says * that "...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter Xi : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 482 CHAPTER XI. SUPERHUMAN, THOUGH NOT DIVINE BEINGS. APSARAS AND GANDHARVAS. The Apsaras are nymphs, and the Gandharvas choristers in Indra's heaven. The Apsaras are not as a class prominently noticed in the Vedas, but Urvasi...
Chapter Vii. Uma : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 285 CHAPTER VII. UM. Um is the name by which the consort of Siva is first known. In the sacred books she appears in many forms, and is known by many names; but as there are legends giving the circumstances connected with the names...
Chapter Ix. The Puranic Account Of The Creation : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 342 CHAPTER IX. THE PURNIC ACCOUNT OF THE CREATION. Before passing on to the inferior deities, an account of the creation will be given. It is not at all easy to make out a consistent one from the Hindu scriptures, because...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter Vi. Sun : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 30 CHAPTER VI. SUN OR LIGHT DEITIES. 1. SURYA. Surya and Savitri are two names by which the Sun is commonly addressed in the Vedic hymns. Sometimes one name is used exclusively, sometimes they are used interchangeably...
Part Ii. The Puranic Deities. Chapter Ii. Brahma : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 93 CHAPTER II. BRAHMA. * Brahma is regarded as the Supreme Being, the God of gods; of whom Brahm, Vishnu, and Siva are manifestations. It is true that, in some verses of the Vedas, attributes ascribed to him are also ascribed...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter Ix. Tvastri : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 75 CHAPTER IX. TVASTRI OR VISVAKARMA. Tvastri, or, as he is called in the later works, Visvakarma, is the architect and workman of the gods--the Hindu Vulcan. The heavenly places were formed by him, and the warlike gods are...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter I. The Vedas : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 1 PART I. THE VEDIC DEITIES. p. 2 p. 3 HINDU MYTHOLOGY. THE VEDIC DEITIES. CHAPTER I. THE VEDAS. Before speaking of the Vedic Deities, it is necessary that something be said concerning the Vedas themselves, the source of our...
List Of Illustrations : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. xvii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Durg and other Deities. From a native picture "(Frontispiece.) Agni. From Moor's "Hindu Pantheon" 22 Surya. 31 Varuna. From a native picture 38 Indra 53 Vyu 65 Yama 78 Brahm 98 Sarasvati 108 Vishnu...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter Ii. Kuvera : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 388 CHAPTER II. KUVERA. Kuvera, the god of riches, does not occupy a very conspicuous position in the mythology of the Hindus. No images or pictures of him are to be had, though he is frequently referred to in the Rmyan...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter Vi : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 437 CHAPTER VI. THE ASURAS. In the Purnas and other of the later writings of the Hindus, and also in the popular mind, the asuras are powerful evil beings; in translations the word is represented by such terms as demons, giants...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter Viii. Soma : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 69 CHAPTER VIII. SOMA. Soma, according to the Vedic hymns, is the god who "represents and animates the juice of the Soma * plant." He was the Indian Bacchus. Not only are all the hymns of the ninth book of the Rig-Veda, one...
Preface : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. vii PREFACE. On reaching India, one of my first inquiries was for a full and trustworthy account of the mythology of the Hindus; but though I read various works in which some information of the kind was to be found, I sought...
Preface To Second Edition : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. x p. xi PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. As a large edition of this work has been sold out, and a new one called for, an opportunity is presented of adding a few words to what was said eighteen years ago. The reception given to it both...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 03 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], 8A. THE BALARMA AVATRA. According to some accounts of Vishnu's incarnations, Balarma is the "eighth;" Krishna in that case not being called an incarnation, but an appearance of the deity himself; whilst, according to others, the two...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 07 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], 5. THE VMANA OR DWARF AVATRA. The four Avatras that have already been described are said to have occurred in the Satya-yuga, or age of Truth, corresponding with the golden age of classic writers; it was in the Treta-yuga, or second...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter Iv. Aditi : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 17 CHAPTER IV. ADITI, AND THE DITYAS. Aditi has the honour of being almost the only goddess mentioned by name in the Rig-Veda, as the mother of any of the gods; but it is by no means an easy task to delineate her character...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter V. Agni : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 21 CHAPTER V. AGNI. Agni, the god of Fire, is one of the most prominent of the deities of the Vedas. With the single exception of Indra, more hymns are addressed to him than to any other deity. Professor Williams gives...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 11 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 134 CHAPTER V. THE INCARNATIONS OR AVATARAS OF VISHNU. 1. THE MATSYA OR FISH AVATRA. The earliest account of what was afterwards regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu is found in the "Satapatha Brhmana." It will be noticed th...
Chapter X. The Puranic Divisions Of Time : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 353 CHAPTER X. THE PURNIC DIVISIONS OF TIME. The three main divisions of time employed in the Hindu Scriptures are Yugas, Manvantaras, and Kalpas. * These will now be described. There are four Yugas, which together extend to 12...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter Iii : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 394 CHAPTER III. THE DEMIGODS OF THE RMYANA. 1. SUGRIVA. Over the mighty leaders of the Monkey army associated with Rma in the destruction of Rvana was King SUGRIVA. [paragraph continues] Sugriva. When Vishnu, before leaving...
Part Iii. The Inferior Deities. Chapter I : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 361 PART III. THE INFERIOR DEITIES. p. 362 THE TULSI. p. 363 THE INFERIOR DEITIES. CHAPTER I. THE DIVINE RISHIS. 1. BHRIGU. "WHEN Brahm wished to populate the world, he created mind-born sons, like himself; viz. Bhrigu, Pulasty...
Chapter V. The Incarnations Or Avatar. Part 05 : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], 7. THE RMA CHANDRA AVATRA. In Northern India this is perhaps the most popular of all the incarnations of Vishnu, and certainly the Rmyana, in which his history is found, contains some of the most beautiful legends in the whole...
Part I. The Vedic Deities. Chapter Ii : * "Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic", by W.J. Wilkins, [1900], p. 9 CHAPTER II. THE VEDIC GODS GENERALLY. Yaska (probably the oldest commentator on the Vedas) gives the following classification of the Vedic gods. "There are three deities, according to the expounders of the Vedas: Agni, whose...
