sarga-Siddhtti 27. Having produced them in succession, as stated, by a difference of quality and function, he fashioned the distinctive haracter of each, according to the showing of the Soripture (Oedn) 28. That is, of the planets, asterisnkand stars, of the earth, and of the universe, he the mighty one ; of gods, demons, and nortals, and of the Perfected (siddha), in their order we do not regard ourselves as called upon to enter into any detailed examination of this metaphysical scheme of development of the creation, or to compare it critically with the similar schemes presented in other Hindu works, as Manu (chap. 4), the Porधैpas (see Wilson's Vishnu Purीnn, Book I, etc. We wil me¥oly explain a few of its expressions, and of be allusions it contains. Vasudeva is an ordinary epithet of Vishnu, and its use in the signification here given it seems indicative of Vaishnava tenden. cies on the part of the Muthor of the scheme. 'The twenty-five principles referred to in verse 12 are those established by the Sankhya philosophy. The referenue in verse 15, irst half, is to Rig-Veda x 12: In the second half of the same verse we have a couple of false ctymologies iditya conme, not from adi, first, but from ad , eternity and to deive Birya, Sun, prom the rootb 8a generate '" (from which 8avitart actually cores), is beyond Ahe usual measure of Hindu sheologiso philosophical etymologiving. 'The Hyms, songs, and Liturgy are the three bodies of soripturs commonly known as the Rigveda, Sama-Veda, and Yajur-yeda. The scovon metres (v. 13) are those which are most often employed in the construction of the Vedic hymns : ia parts of the Veda itself they are personified, and travellious qualities and powers are ascribed to them. Phe obscure statement contained in the first half of verse 2 oomes from verses 3 and 4 of the prese-hymn (Big-Veda . 80: bhe hymn is also found in othes of the Vedic texts. The second half of verse 22 also pearly coincides with a passage { 13) in the same hymn, of the five elernanbs assumed by the Hindu philosopher, the first, efber, is said # be endowed only with the quality of audibleness; the second, ai, has that of tangibility also; the third, fire, be5 botb, along withh color; to thes qualitie8 8be fourth element, water, adds that of savor; the last, eachh, possesses audibility, dangibility, coko, Savo¥, and odor: this is according to the doctorines of the Sankhya philosophy. In verses 24 &nd 25 we have specifications introduced out of consideration for the general characte and object of this areatise : as also, in the party assigned to the sun in the history of development, we ney perhaps recognize homage paid to its asserted author. For the beins called in verse 28 the perfected ’ (४idth, see below, verses B1 and 40.
