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OF THE HINDUS.
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That this season was considered propitious for marriages amongst the Greeks, is evident, from the name of the month corresponding with JanuaryFebruary, Fajor, from marriages (anos) being frequently celebrated in it; and what is very curious, although very possibly no more than an accidental coincidence, the fourth from the new moon-the Hindu Chaturthi-is especially recommended by Hesiod: 'Er δὲ τετάρτῃ μηνὸς ἄγεσθαι ἐς οἶκον ἄκοιτιν· “Let him (the bridegroom) take home his bride on the fourth of the moon.
در
ŚRI PANCHAMI.-Fifth lunar day of the light half of the month Mága (2nd February),—The designation Śrí indicates the bride of Vishnu, the goddess of prosperity and abundance; and the text quoted from the Samvatsara Pradípa, in the Tithi Tattwa, confirms the identification by stating, that upon this day, Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune, (who is also the bride of Vishnu,) is to be worshipped with flowers, perfumes, food, and water: probably the day was originally dedicated to her. The same text, however, proceeds to direct, that pens, and ink, and books, should be reverenced upon this day; and that a festival should be observed in honour of Saraswatí, the goddess of learning-hence it is inferred, that by Śrí, in the first part of the rubric, Saraswati also is intended, especially as Srí had various significations, one of which may be Saraswati.
Saraswati, by the standard mythological authorities,
