Jainism Early Faith of Ashoka

SR No.: 007306
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Edward Thomas
Publisher: Trubner and Company London
Total Pages: 167
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 114

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THE EARLY FAITH OF ASOKA.
IV. ROMAN GODS.
In the identification of the whole list of the Roman and Græco-Roman gods, I have been guided more by the forms and figures stamped on the coins than by the legends which are supposed to define the names and attributes of each divinity, which must often be accepted as simply independent versions of the original nomenclature. I am uncertain about the decipherment of PIAH, but there can be little doubt for whom the figure is intended. In the same way the type of Mars is manifest; his title of PHOPO may be referred to the Zend Gel eretha "great," etc.,' and though épv@plas might find some advocates, Anquetil's Veréthre "victorious" seems to be conclusive as to the derivation. It will be remembered that the nearly similar term of OPAH POT is to be found on the coins of Kodes.2
V. BRAHMANICAL GODS.
These several deities, their nomenclatures and attributes, have already been fully adverted to, under their Saivic aspect, in the preceding pages.
I have only to add, in addition to what has already been said about APAOXPO, a reference to the fact which seems to have been hitherto lost sight of, that the second portion of this name does not coincide with the legitimate orthography of the OKPO of Siva. Indeed, as far as direct numismatic evidence may furnish a test, Siva is more directly associated with Nana, the Parvati of later belief,3 than with the Ardokro, or the Roman definition of "abundance " on coin No. 16, Plate II.
temples of Anaïtis and of Omanus. Belonging to these temples are shrines, and a wooden statue of Omanus is carried in procession. These we have seen ourselves."
1 Burnouf, Yasna, pp. 323, 377, 473.
* J.R.A.S. Vol. IV. w.e. p. 518. ΥΡΚΏΔΟΥ, ΟΡΔΗΘΡΟΥ, ΜΑΚΑΡΟΥ. See also Num. Chron. N.e. vol. xiii. p. 229.
3 See coin No. 7, J.R.A.S. Vol. XII. o.e. Plate IV., and J.A.S. Bengal, vol. iv. fig. 7, pl. xxxviii., and Prinsep's Essays, vol. ii. pl. xxii. fig. 7, wherein OKPO Siva appears upon the reverse in company with Nana.