Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-10-20
AlNpoo MYTHOLOGY.
Noune Of tss. Manifestations of tho God
Brahmn.

In Hindoo mythology, Brahma, that
Is, Parabrahma (the Great Braham), is
regarded as the Supreme Being, the
Soul of the World, an eternal essence,
of no sex, In which are inherent all
things. The name is derived from the
root birth, ito expand" denoting the
universally expanding essence of an in
finite, imperishable existence. Just as
the sun radiates light and heat, both
of which essences are manifestations of
his far-off fires, so also Brahma has n
thousand manifestations.
The thousand gods and demi-gods of
the Hindoo Pantheon are all mani
festations of Brahma. The superior
deities are supposed to be immortal,
but as compared with Brahma are per-
ishable, for 1t is conceivable that diff
ferent interpretations of the subordi-
nate duties would alter their charac-
teristics SO much as to completely
change their functions and nature, an
occurrence very largely indulged in in
Hindoo mythology.
Brahma exists in two states, there
fore, the one unseen and imperisha BILE,
and the other manifested and perisha-
BILE. The imperishable is the Supreme
Being; the perishable is the universe, or
Brahma, the first incarnation of the
deity, whose name is distinguished by
having the final vowel long. Brahma
is also addressed by the sacred word
Aum. That particular manifestation
of the multiform Brahma which we
call the world-composed of earth, sky
and heavens call Vishnu, who repre-
sents the unbuilding, or creative prin-
ciple.
When the world of matter changes
its form and is dissolved into simple
being, the distinctive power of Brahma
is represented by silva, the destroyer.
These three deities, Brahma, Vishnu
and silva, form the Hindoo trinity, all
manifestations of the supreme Brahma.
In the Manabharata, Brahma is said
TO have issued from lotus that sprang
from the navel of Vishnu. This idea,
however, is convertible to the idea,
Brahina being the universe, is greater
than Vishnu, the world; consequently,
according to the process of nature, he
gave life to Vishnu, who is his alter
ego, or manifestation for the specific
work of creating the world.
On the other hand, considering Wish
nu as the special manifestation of
Parabrahrna as creator of all things,
we behold the god wrapped in a myste-
rious slumber, in which he imagines
the production of worlds, and forth
with lotus springs from his navel.
In the center of this lotus Brahma ap-
pears, that is, created things, and, says
the Puranas, "Vishnu, beholding the
production of his body, was delighted"
cl SO Iiy,r
upon the waters. supported by the SER
pent Seisha. Beside him sits his at
tendant queen, Lakshini, the goddess
of love. The panel is framed with pill
lars on either side, supporting an arch
sculptured with the forms of the vari-
Gus minor deities. Each corner of the
composition contains decorations repre-
sentative of four different incarnations
of Vishnu, as worshiped by the Hindoos
in various parts of India.
The Brahmans have legend that the
Buddha Is one of the many Avatars OF
manifestations of Vishnu, but the teach
ings of the trae Buddha are SO violent
ly opposed to the teachings of Brah-
manism that it must be conceded that
this reformer was mortal, the son ol
the king of Kapilavastu, adjoining
Nepaul. His name was Sakya Guata
ma, and is known as Buddha Qua atama
to distinguish him from the Brahman
ical Buddha. He taught that neithel
! the doctrines nor the austerities of the
Brahmans were of any avail in deliver
ing men from old age, disease ant
death.
Pain and pleasure are simply the re
| suit of Karma (works), no notice being
taken of the existence or rnon-existenc,
| of God. He taught the Hiudoo doctrin
of the transmigration of souls. He as
2 sumed existence to be miserable, ant
that the highest conceivable good is t.
obtain entire exemption from exist
a ence.
: He taught the evil Of caste distinc
tions, and all who embraced his tenet
became members of a great brother
i, hood. His moral code is one of tn
3 most perfect in the world. He becam
the founder of religion which, after
! lapse of two thousand years, is still
a professed by four hundred and fifty
five million of human beings.
: Sir Edwin Arnold's poem, 18th
i. Light of Asia" is glorifcation c
Buddha, one of the divine souls of IN
world. Reverence to the jewel on tn
, lotus;" Honor to the incomparabl
Buddha," cry his myriads of follower.
: In Hindoo art are expressed infinit
9 weird forces and languors, the perpetus
n creation, destruction and recreation {
= the world. Fashioned in an age whe
the imagination of man was muc
e more highly developed than ut presen
q 1t sought to render in imperishabl
a forms the energy and immobility of 81
preme power, clothing the forces {
q the universe with forms the most spleI
% did the world has ever beheld.-Dec'
- rator and Furnisher.
A Nutritious Soup.
. Everybody recognizes the nutrition
r qualities of soup and it need not nece