rous than that which flowed from the chords of the vina. The stones were again reduced to a state of liquefaction, and Nárad received his instrument uninjured.

Ganesha is another of the monsters whom the Hindus adore. It is said that Parwati, produced him from the excrementitious particles and impurities of her own body, on account of which, Shiva, her husband, was jealous and displeased. It once happened that Ganesha had a battle with Vishnu, and he had won the day, but that Shiva interposed, and cut off his head. Parwatí was overwhelmed with grief and indignation. She proceeded in revenge to a course of rigorous austerities, which put in the greatest jeopardy the whole universe. Nothing would serve to divert her from these acts of devotion, but the restoration of the life of her son. Upon the very earnest solicitation of the congregated gods, Shiva consented to restore to his wife this darling child. But when he sought for the severed head he could not find it. It was then de

termined, in the way of remedying this inconvenience, to attach to the headless trunk of Ganesha the head of the first animal that should chance to come along. This happened to be an elephant with one tusk, and therefore Ganesha was restored to life with the head of an elephant substituted for his own, which was irrecoverably lost. In this shape he always appears in the images which represent him. As an indemnification for this loss, and a farther satisfaction to Párwatí, all the gods consented that the name of Ganesha should stand foremost in all acts of invocation and religious worship. This God is also known by the name of Ganpati-the lord of troops. His countenance and blessing are sought at the commencement of all the ordinary and extraordinary business of life. Before proceeding to a journey, to the building of a house, the occupation of a new dwelling, and the like undertakings, his favor is specially propitiated. The image of Ganesha is often seen carved upon the lintel of the door, and