441105- 176

qrirs- 4) (seepage 1757) od 215. nor Heelo, litew-

115-44. Group of three posed ivory statuettes ac ‘uired FO 659 includ-
Goddess Lakshmi, Brahma and Shiva. Lakshni (Prounoericed Looké) Goddes

of prosperity and wealth and wife of Vishnu. Stands on a padma or lotus

(m in padma silent) Also holds padma in hands. This god is in my opinion
-. the most beautiful of the Hindu idols and notoubt the most delicate of
vicrlmanahiio of the entire group. The most significant thing about this
Goddess is the association with the lotus. This mythical fhower represents
the perfect symbol of creation, divine purity and beauty. The many petals
open with the early morning rays at daybreak and close again at sundown.

The colors come in red white and blue, good old American combination. #he
red for Brahma the creator, the white for Shiva and the blue for Vishnu

the preserver and upholder of the Universe. Brahma the Creators One

of the three gods of the Trinity or One god of Hinduism, There may be a
question about the identity of the God but am assured b, many of the natives
as being the God Brahma. As in the Christian doctrine of the Trinity of
Gods the Hinu has three gods. It is not a conception of three different
Gods, though it is frequently presented as being separate, but different
aspects of the One God. Strangely enough Brahma worship is but little
practised. _Shiva (or Siva) God of Destruction. When angry eftern referred
to as Samhara Rudra. He carries the trisul or three pronged spear as
representing a weapon of destruction. The cobra is his constant protector
and more frequently wears a tiger wkin. He iw worshipped even more than eith:
Brahma or Vishnu, When the English Mt Everest expedition tried their as-
sult upon the Mt they were warned to be aggreable with Shiva as he controléed

the mt and its environs.