Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 674

SWARGA, INDRA'S PARADISE
634
The palace
and king of
in the centre, sparkling with gold
and precious stones. There is also another palace of equal
splendour for Sati, his wife, Puloma's daughter. Their son
is Jay ant a.
In this paradise grows the famous kalpa-tree,
the golden fruit of which has an exquisite flavour
and
there also is the cow Kamadhenu, which gives delicious
milk.
This fruit and milk form the nourishment of the
gods.
The kalpa-tree and Kamadhenu the cow are held in high
esteem by the Hindus, and are referred to on almost every
page of their books. This tree of life of the Hindus, and
their Swarga itself, may well be but a gross imitation of
the arbor vitae and of the earthly paradise of Genesis. Be
this as it may, however, the kalpa-tree, which grows to
the height of ten yojanas, has the power of satisfying all
the desires of men who put their trust in it. As for Kama-
dhenu the cow, she is not less prodigal of her bounties, and
can, among other things, grant milk and butter in abun-
dance to anybodj^ who invokes her with sincere faith and
Aditi.
this
of India, their eldest son,
realm of delight,
is
;
devotion. Many other trees are to be found in Swarga,
while the limpid waters of many rivers meander there in
all directions, the principal one being the Mandakini.
The
eyes of the inhabitants of this happy abode are refreshed
by the rhythmical and voluptuous movements of throngs
of dancing-girls
while the sweet notes of the vina and
kanohra 1 which the Gandharvas, famous musicians, play
in accompaniment to their melodious songs, charm the ear
without ceasing. Innumerable courtesans, too, are always
ready to satisfy the passions which they excite. Bruhaspati
performs the office of guru to the gods in Swarga, and ex-
plains the Vedas to them.
Finally, strangely enough, two
duly appointed physicians are to be found there, Chonata
and Kumara 2
The Ashta-Dik-Palakas, mentioned above,
hold the first rank, as is natural, among the inhabitants
of this Abode of Bliss.
The nine planets also have their
abode there, and it is from thence that they shine upon us.
;
,
.
We cannot trace this word. The Abbe probably means the Tamil
Kinnaram, Ed.
- The Abbo has made a mistake here.
Apparently he refers to the
twins Asvini Kumaras, divine physicians.
Ed.
1
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