[7] So it is represented in Kumára Sambhava: दरीगुहाहिमेन समीरणेन, उद्गास्यतामिच्छति किन्नरीणां ।
[8] Airávata signifies both Indra, the god of caelum and the celestials, as also his vehicle, the elephantine clouds.
[9] It is recorded, that the forefathers of Bali to the fourth ascent, were all destroyed by Vishnu, who took upon him the first four shapes of his ten incarnations, namely: those of the fish, tortoise, the boar and the biform man and lion, to destroy them one after another; till he took his fifth form of the dwarf, to kill Bali also. Hence it was one family of the Asuras at Mavalipura in Deccan, that called down Vishnu five times from his heaven for their destruction.
[10] Instruction of abstruse knowledge from yoga to the impure, is pearls before swine; as it is said: पण्डिता एब उपदेष्टब्याः न च मूर्खः कदाचन ।
[11] Reason is a divine attribute and given to man for his discernment of truth from untruth, and of true felicity of the soul, from its fetters of the frailties of this world.
[12] The former figure of meditation was that of Virát, the god who with his thousand heads, hands and legs and feet “सहस्रशीर्षः पुरुषं सहस्र बाहु सहस्र पाद्,” shows the Daitya Titan Briareus with his hundred heads and hands; but the figure of worship in this chapter is that of Vishnu, with his four arms, one head and two legs only, as a more compendious form for common and practical worship.
[13] The flowers and offerings mentioned in this place, are all of a white hue, and specially sacred to Vishnu, as there are others peculiar to other deities, whose priests and votaries must carefully distinguish from one another. The adoration of Vishnu consists, in the offering of the following articles, and observance of the rites as mentioned below: viz. Fumigation of incense and lighting of lamps, presentation of offerings, of food, raiment, and jewels suited to the adorer’s taste and best means, and presents of betel leaves, umbrellas, mirrors and chowri flappers. Lastly, scattering of handfuls of flowers, turning round the idol and making obeisance &c.
सर्ब्बेधूपदाम नैवेद्यतम्बुलदर्पणच्छत्रचामर नीराजन पुष्पाञ्जलि प्रदाक्षण नमस्कारादिः ।
Brahmá was the god of Bráhmanas, and Vishnu was worshipped by the early Vaisya colonists of India; while Siva or Mahádeva was the deity of the aboriginal Daityas. These peoples after long contention came to be amalgamated into one great body of the Hindus, by their adoption of the mixed creed of the said triality or trinity, under the designation of the Triune duty. Still there are many people that have never been united under this triad, and maintain their several creeds with tenacity. See Wilson’s Hindu Religion.