A dispute arose among the sages as to which of the three gods was greatest; so they applied to the great Bhrigu, one of the ten Maharshis, or primeval patriarchs created by the first Manu, to determine the point. He undertook to put all three gods to a severe test, and went first to Brahma; on approaching whom he purposely omitted an obeisance. Upon this the god’s anger blazed terribly forth; but, restraining it, he was at length pacified. Next he repaired to the abode of Siva, in Kailāsa, and omitted to return the god’s salutation. The vindictive deity was enraged, his eyes flashed fire, and he raised his trident to destroy the sage; but the god’s wife, Pārvati, fell at his feet and by her intercession appeased him. Lastly, he repaired to Vaikuntha, the heaven of Vishnu, whom he found asleep with his head on his consort Lakshmī’s lap. To make a trial of his forbearance, he boldly gave the god a kick on his breast, which awoke him. Instead of showing anger, however, Vishnu arose, and on seeing Bhrigu, asked his pardon for not having greeted him on his first arrival. Next, he expressed himself highly honored by the sage’s blow (which he declared had imprinted an indelible mark of good fortune on his breast), and then inquired tenderly whether his foot was hurt, and proceeded to rub it gently. “This,” said Bhrigu, “is the mightiest god; he overpowers by the most potent of all weapons--gentleness and generosity.” This idea was not far removed from the genius of Christianity, which conspicuously encourages the overcoming of evil with good. [Illustration: Picart, Painter. Illman Brothers, Engravers & Printers. HINDU FAKIRS PRACTISING THEIR SUPERSTITIOUS RITES. ENGRAVED EXPRESSLY FOR ERROR’S CHAINS] CAN THE GODS DIE? One of the most remarkable ideas to be found in the Brāhmanas is that the gods were merely mortals till they extorted immortality from the Supreme Being by sacrifices and austerities. A natural or inherent immortality in these deities was never dreamed of, it is said: “The gods lived constantly in dread of Death-- The mighty Ender--so with toilsome rites They worshiped and repeated sacrifices Till they became immortal. Then the Ender Said to the gods, ‘As ye have made yourselves Imperishable; so will men endeavor To free themselves from me; what portion then Shall I possess in man?’ The gods replied, ‘Henceforth no being shall become immortal In his own body; this his mortal frame Shalt thou still seize; this shall remain thy own, He who through knowledge or religious acts Henceforth attains to immortality Shall first present his body, Death, to thee.’” SECTS OF HINDUISM.