Identifier: hindumythologyve00wilk (find matches)
Title: Hindu mythology, Vedic and Purânic
Year: 1882 (1880s)
Authors: Wilkins, William Joseph, 1843-1902
Subjects: Mythology, Hindu Legends, Hindu
Publisher: Calcutta, Thacker, Spink & co. London, W. Thacker & co. (etc., etc.)
Contributing Library: Princeton Theological Seminary Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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m bambooshanging by iron hooks forced into their bodies, whilst othersthrew themselves from a height upon sharp knives ; but at thepresent time these cruel practices are prohibited by the Govern-ment. At these times an intoxicating drug made from hemp isfreely indulged in ; the authority for this practice being the lifeof Siva, as described in the Puranas. As Krishna is believed tobe pleased with songs and dances, not always of a highly moralcharacter, Siva is believed to delight in the cruel and drunkenpractices of his ignorant worshippers. The following extract from the Bhagavata, descriptive of Sivasappearance and conduct, countenances much that now formspart of Sivas worship. Coming to the conclusion that one ofhis worshippers was in distress, Siva assumed half the body of J 1 o - J- The Puranic Deities. Parvati, fastened his matted hair, rubbed his body over withashes, ate a large quantity of hemp, swallow-wort, and thorn-apple ; and wearing a Brahmanical thread composed of white
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SIVA SLAYING AN ASURA. snakes, clad in an elephants hide, with a necklace of beads and a garland of skulls, riding upon Nandi, accompanied by ghosts, •blins, spectres, witches, imps, sprites and evil spirits, Bholonath came forth. On his forehead was the moon ; he placed the Siva. 233 Ganges on his head,* and his eyes were very red. His mostdestructive weapon was a trident: with this he slew the foe whowas obnoxious to his follower. Though Sivas appearance is repeatedly described in thePuranas, and in pictures he is often represented in the humanform, it is by the Linga that he is almost universally worshipped.This image, from its appearance, does not suggest anythingoffensive to those unacquainted with its symbolic meaning ; andthough some writers speak of its being innocuous to the Hindusthemselves, it is impossible for any one acquainted with thelegends which account for its being the recognised symbol ofSiva, to see and worship it without impure thoughts beingsuggested by it, it

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