The Ananga Ranga

The mountain-goddess of many names, wife of Shiva, thethird person of the Hindu Trinity, who is here termedShambhu for Swayambhu, the Self-Existent. The invocationis abrupt and does not begin with the beginning, Ganesha(Janus), Lord of Incepts, who is invariably invoked by theHindu, that he may further the new undertaking. This god isworshipped under the form of a short stout man, with anelephant's trunk and protuberant belly. (See Vol. III, P. 38,"A View of the History, Literature, and Mythology of theHindus," by William Ward, of Serampore, London, 1832.)The loves of Krishna and the sixteen thousand milkmaidsare recorded in the Bhagavat; this eleventh incarnation ofVishnu is a dark-blue man, playing with both hands uponthe pipe, whilst Radha, his wife, stands his left side.Kamadeva, or the Hindu Cupid, the son of Bramha, isrepresented as a beautiful youth, the most lovely of all thegods, holding a bow and flower-tipped arrow, with which,while wandering through perfumed glades, accompanied byRati, his spouse, he wounds the hearts of the inhabitants ofthe Triloka or Three Worlds. Sir William Jones says thathe appears to correspond with the Greek Eros and theRoman Cupido, but that the Indian description of hisperson and arms, his family, attendants and attributes hasnew and peculiar beauties. Sambar' A'sura was one of theRakshasas, gigantic and diabolical beings, whom Kama slew.

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