BRAHMA. VISHNU. SIVA. THE THREE CHIEF HINDU GODS.] All the human race is said to have come from the highlands of Central Asia, and the worship of these, our Aryan forefathers, was at first exceedingly simple. Their manner of life brought them into close contact with nature, and we learn from the hymns then written, many of which are still preserved in the Vedas (the sacred book of the Hindus), that they regarded the powers of nature as manifestations of gods. In the storms, they supposed these rival gods were quarreling. In the Vedic hymns, frequent mention is made of the chief god, called Dyaus, the “Heavenly Father.” Also Aditi, the “Infinite Expanse,” is called the mother of all gods. Next comes Varuna, the “Sky in its Brightness,” then Indra, the god of the “Atmosphere;” so running through the whole list. After a time, the names of the gods are somewhat altered, and a sort of trinity is formed. Agni, god of fire, becomes Brahma; Surya, the sun-god, becomes Vishnu, and Indra, the atmosphere-god, becomes Siva. These constitute what is called the Tri-murti, and are generally said to represent one god as Creator, Preserver or Destroyer. Hindus often write in their honor verses like the following: “In those three persons the one God was shown-- Each first in place, each last--not one alone; Of Siva, Vishnu, Brahma, each may be First, second, third, among the Blessed Three.” As to which of the three gods is to be called the Supreme Being, opinions differ. The following story is told in one of the sacred books touching upon this point: STORY OF THE SAGES’ SEARCH.