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Art. VI.—Notice of the Tabernacle or Car employed by the Hindús on the Island of Ceylon, to carry the Image of the God, in their Religious Processions: with some Remarks on the Analogies which may be traced in the Worship of the Assyrians and other ancient Nations of the East, as compared with that of the Hindús
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 March 2011
Extract
In presenting to the Royal Asiatic Society a Model of the Tabernacle of the Hindús (in which they take their principal deities out in procession), it may be necessary to observe, that a number of men having placed it on their shoulders, proceed to the appointed spot, accompanied and preceded by priests, singers, players on musical instruments, and the dancing-girls of the temple. In the book of Numbers, eh. i. v. 50, it is written: “Thou shall appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all the things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, &c.” It is worthy of observation, with regard to the Hindú tabernacle, that it is carried by priests, where there is a sufficient number; and where not, the highest classes among the laymen perform that office.
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References
* The model referred to represents a machine consisting of a quadrangular pedestal, on the surface of which are placed four columns supporting a roof or canopy; the whole elaborately carved and ornamented. At the bottom of the pedestal are fixed four rings; and through these the staves are passed, by means of which it is carried as described in the text. It is necessary to observe, that some doubt is entertained as to the correctness of the term “Tabernacle,” as applied to this Car; but it has not been thought proper to alter the Paper, in any way, on this account. The model is in the Museum of the Society, for inspection.—Ed.
† Isaiah, ch. xlvi. 7.Google Scholar
‡ Jeremiah, ch. x. 5.Google Scholar
* Tiru, “holy:” Ardra.
† DXXXVII. Ed. 1829. Vol. IV.
‡ Numb. ch. xxii.
§ The Lingam is worshipped as exclusively belonging to Siva.
* Universal History, vol. XX. p. 71.Google Scholar
† Genesis, ch. x. 11.Google Scholar
‡ Universal History.
§ I do not recollect from whom Maurice makes the following quotation: “Ζιὺς ἄϱσην γένιτ
Ζεὺς ἅμβϱοτος ἔπλετο νύμφη.—Jupiter is a man: Jupiter is also an immortal maid.”
∥ Universal History.
¶ Ibid.
* Universal History.
† Ibid.
‡ Ibid.
§ See Calmet, in locoGoogle Scholar; also, his Plates XVI. figures 12, 13, 14; and XIX. figures 1 and 2; where the horns, or rather the crescent moon, may be seen on the head.
∥ The following is a translation of the passage from the Kúrma Púrána; “Let us place on our heads the feet of Sacti, who when she put on Siía's dishevelled lock of hair the crescent moon, her arm-ring, which had been broken in amorous dalliance, the cimetar-armed Síva looked significantly; at which she averted her face with shame, and changed it into the full moon.”
¶ Universal History.
* Universal History.
† The wife of Brahma.
‡ One garment worn is called Shokkai.
§ Universal History.
∥ Ibid.
¶ Ibid.
* Buckingham says, in his Travels in Mesopotamia, vol. II. p. 406Google Scholar, of some antiques he saw taken from the ruins of Babylon: “The larger antiques comprehended a figure in brass, embracing a large Lingam between its knees, precisely in the style of the Hindú representation of that emblem.” He mentions also, in another place, “The Indian figure of a man, with a painted bonnet, and beard, embracing the Lingam.”
† In the Universal History, it is said of a temple in Egypt: “Near the temple was a lake, in the midst of which stood a stone altar; and every day, many people swam to the altar in the midst of the lake, to perform their devotions.” This is a correct description of vast numbers of Hindú temples; and of the way in which men go to the stone altar in the middle of the tank in order to perform their devotions.
“Sacrificed twice a day to Jupiter, in silence; to Juno, with great noise of minstrels and singing,” U. H. Síva is worshipped in silence, except the tinkling of a bell; but Ammon (his wife), with a number of instruments, and a great noise.
“The priests used to light up tapers to their images, and had their beards and heads close shaved.” U. H. A small tuft is left on the heads of the priests of Síva, but all other parts of the body are shaved.