The deities in the Hindoo pantheon amount to 330,000,000. Yet all these gods and goddesses may be resolved into the three principal ones, Vishnoo, Shivŭ, and Brŭmha; the elements; and the three females, Doorga, Lŭkshmēē, and Sŭrŭswŭtēē. The following pages will contain accounts of all those at present worshipped by the Hindoos, particularly in the provinces of India under the English government.

SECT. I.—Vishnoo

This god is represented in the form of a black man, with four arms; in one of which he holds a club, in another a shell, in the third a chŭkrŭ and in the fourth water-lily. He rides on Gŭroorŭ, an animal half-bird, and half-man, and wears yellow garments.

The Hindoo shastrŭs give accounts of ten appearances or incarnations of Vishnoo, in the character of the Preserver; nine of which are said to be past.

The first is called the Mŭtsyŭ incarnation. Brŭmhŭ the one God, when he resolves to recreate the universe after a periodical destruction, first gives birth to Brŭmha, Vishnoo, and Shivŭ, to preside over the work of creation, preservation, and destruction. After a periodical dissolution of the universe, the four védŭs remained in the waters. In order to enter upon the work of creation, it was necessary to obtain these books, for the instruction of Brŭmha.