Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 2Eliot, Charles
Religion
Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 2
Eliot, Charles
Asia -- Religion; Buddhism; Hinduism
[Footnote 492: It is an episode in Mahâbhâr. VI. and in its present
form was doubtless elaborated apart from the rest. But we may surmise
that the incident of Kṛishṇa's removing Arjuna's scruples by a
discourse appeared in the early versions of the story and also that
the discourse was longer and profounder than would seem appropriate to
the European reader of a tale of battles. But as the Vedânta
philosophy and the doctrine of Kṛishṇa's godhead developed, the
discourse may have been amplified and made to include later
theological views. Garbe in his German translation attempts to
distinguish the different strata and his explanation of the
inconsistencies as due to successive redactions and additions may
contain some truth. But these inconsistencies in theology are common
to all sectarian writings and I think the main cause for them must be
sought not so much in the alteration and combination of documents, as
in a mixed and eclectic mode of thought. Even in European books of the
first rank inconsistencies are not unknown and they need not cause
surprise in works which were not written down but committed to memory.
A poet composing a long religious poem in this way and feeling, as
many Hindus feel, both that God is everything and also that he is a
very present personal help, may very well express himself differently
in different parts. On the other hand the editors of such poems are
undoubtedly tempted to insert in them later popular doctrines.]
[Footnote 493: The name appears not to be in common use now, but the
Pâśupata school is reviewed in the Sarva-darśana-saṅgraha (_c._
1330).]
[Footnote 494: Śivabhâgavata, see his comment on Pâniṇi, V. 3. 99 and
V. 2. 76. The name is remarkable and suggests that the Śivaites may
have imitated the Bhâgavatas.]
[Footnote 495: I. xxiii. 209. The _Bibliotheca Ind._ edition reads
Nakulì. Aufrecht (_Bodl. MSS._) has Lakulî. The same story is found in
Linga P. chap. XXIV. Lakulî is said to have had four pupils who
founded four branches. Lakulin does not play an important part in
modern Śivaism but is mentioned in inscriptions from the tenth till
the thirteenth centuries. The Sarva-darśana-saṅgraha describes the
Nakulîśa-Pâśupata system and quotes Nakulîśa who is clearly the same
as Lakulin. The figures on Kushan coins representing Śiva as holding a
club may be meant for Lakulin but also may be influenced by Greek
figures of Herakles. See for Lakulin Fleet in _J.R.A.S._ 1907, pp. 419
ff. and Bhandarkar _Vaishṇavism and Śaivism_, pp. 115 ff. The coins
of Wema Kadphises bear the title Mahiśvara, apparently meaning
worshipper of the Great Lord. Temples in south India seem to have been
named after Kâyârohana in the seventh century A.D. See Gopinâtha Rao,
_Hindu Iconography_, II. p. 19.]
[Footnote 496: Mahâbhâr. XII.]
[Footnote 497: Mahâbhâr. XII. 13702 ff. It is recited by Daksha when
he recognizes the might of Śiva after the unfortunate incident of his
sacrifice.]
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