Hindu Pantheon: The Court of All Holy Gods

496 Pages·1976·29.742 MB·English

by  Edward Moor

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THE
HINDU PANTHEON
BY
EDWARD MOOR, F. R. S.
MEMBER of the ASIATIC SOCIETY of CALCUTTA, and of the LITE
RARY SOCIETY of BOMBAY.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR J. JOHNSON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD.
BY T. BENSLEY, BOLT-COURT, FLEET-STEEET.
1810.
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OP
J anrier i,-. (•':>'•>, . JorPy
•
TO THE
Hon. JONATHAN DUNCAN,
GOVERNOR of BOMBAY.
MY DEAR SIR,
#
It is not, perhaps, usual, but I am little read in the history of
such things, for an author to inscribe two works to the same
person. Permit me, however, to dedicate a second, though a
smaller, work to you.
When I compiled the former, we stood in a different relation
to each other—you a governor, I one of your subalterns—
now we are merely, what I am not a little proud and happy in
saying we at all times have been, friends. In the first case, a
prudent forecast, laudable and honourable will be admitted, of
bettering my fortunes, might have been supposed to mingle with
other sentiments. Now, continents and oceans are. interposed
between us, and we may never meet again: this Dedication of
my humble Work cannot, therefore, flow from feelings less
pure than those of gratitude and esteem. These would, of
a
VI
themselves, necessarily have influenced me; but when I recollect
that I dedicate the Hindu Pantheon to the man whose name
and character, of all men now in India, (and with the exception,
perhaps, of Warren Hastings, of all men who have ever been
there) are looked up to with the most respect and reverence by
the extraordinary race whose prejudices and superstitions on the
subject of Mythology I here endeavour to illustrate, and who
in varied knowledge of that race is exceeded by few —when I
recollect these facts, I persuade myself that I am guided by a pro
priety, independent of personal considerations, not often attain
able on such occasions.
The language of adulation would ill become me to adopt, or
you to approve; nor is it likely that I shall now use it, for the
first time. In what I state, those who know me will give me
credit for being sincere; those who know us both will see that
I am no more than just.
The complimentary style in which dedicators of the last and
preceding centuries indulged themselves, is happily now disused;
and were it otherwise, I should be backward, not only in fol
lowing their example, but, knowing who I address, in saying
what I feel. But I may, passing over all other instances of public
and private virtue, be permitted to state that to you, and you
solely, is humanity indebted for her triumph over unnatural en
thusiasm, in the entire and voluntary abolition of that most ex-