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OF THE HINDU'S.
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in some of his Avatáras-descents or incarnations, especially as Rama or Krishna. I have already stated that it is very doubtful if these incarnations are adverted to in the Vedas, at least in the text*. They are mentioned in some of the Upanishads, supplementary treatises of the Vedas, but these compositions are evidently from their style of later date than the Vedas, and some of them, especially those referring to Ráma and Krishna, are of very questionable authenticity.
The history of these two incarnations of Vishńu, Ráma and Krishna, gives to the adoration paid to them every appearance of Hero worship. They were both of royal descent, and were both born on earth like true knights-errant to destroy fiends, giants, and enchanters, and rescue hapless maids and matrons from captivity and violence. Poetry exaggerated their exploits and mythology deified the performers. The story of Ráma is told in the mytho-heroic poem, entitled the Rámáyana, of the first two books of which a translation in very choice Latin, by the celebrated A. von Schlegel, has been published. No fault is to be found with the character of Ráma as a hero, except the impossibility of his feats: but he is described as a dutiful son, an affectionate husband, an intrepid warrior, and a patriotic prince. His wife, Sítá, is à model of a wife,-gentle, devoted, enduring, and obedient. The worst that can be said of either is, that
* (Lassen. Ind. Alt., 1, 158. II, 1107 ff. IV. 575 #.]
