III. RAMAYANA.
With respect to age, the Ramayana is generally ranked next to the Code of Menu, and is equally adored as a holy and inspired book, and "may be classed," says Mr. Allen, "with the Hindoo Scriptures." It treats of the war in Heaven, in which the dragon, or serpent-devil, was cast to the earth. To put an end to his ravages here, the Savior and incarnate God Chrishna was sent down. Christ, we are told, "came to destroy the devil and his works." Col. Sherman tells us, in his "Recollections of an Indian Official," that "the people (Hindoos) assured us this Bible was written, if not by the hand of the Deity himself, at least by his inspiration; and, if asked if any absurdity that may be pointed out in the book be true, they reply with great naivete, 'Is it not written in the Holy Book? and how could it be there, and not be true?'"—exactly the same defense that is often set up for the Christian Bible by its educationally warped admirers. It is believed the great Hindoo prophet, Vyas, wrote much of this Bible, or "Inspired Poem," as some call it.