logue, the Debtah logue †, and the Birmab logue ; in the last mentioned sphere, according to the Bramins computation, a complete day is equal to twenty-eight Munnunturs of vulgar time. (Vid. fixth or next general head.)

On the foundation of Bramah's defcription of the fifteen Boboons, the compilers of the Aughtorrah Bhade have raised an elaborate chimerical fuperftructure: that confounds the understanding.

As the Bramins conceptions and calculation of the age and future duration of the univerfe, will be the fubject of our next general head, we fhall fay nothing more of it here, than to remind our readers, that they date it's existence from the rebellious angels being released from the Onderab.

We again lament the lofs of our materials, which confines us to the eighth section of

* Munnoo logue, people of contemplation, from mun, or mon, thought, reflection, alludes to God's being worshipped in this fphere in filent meditation.

+ In this sphere the angels are first supposed to regain properly their title of Debtah.

In this fphere the delinquents are fuppofed to be cleanfed from the pollution of their fin, regenerated, and fit to enter again the Mahab Surgo, and to be readmitted to the prefence of their Creator.

Bramah's

Bramab's fecond book that treats only of the creation of this terreftrial planet, to which we will now proceed, premifing that it is diftinguished by the title of the eighth Boboon of Murto, which literally fignifies the region of earth.

!

SECT.

SE C T. VIII.

"Birmahab* or Creation.

"And it was

-that when the "Eternal ONE, refolved to form the "new creation of the Dunneabou"dab, he gave the rule of Mahah

Surgo to his first created Birmah, " and became invifible to the whole "angelic host.

"When the Eternal ONE, firft began "his intended new creation of the "Dunneaboudah, he was oppofed by two

mighty Ooors †, which proceeded "from the wax of Brum's ear; and "their names were Modoo ‡ and Kytoo ||

"And the Eternal ONE, contended "and fought with Modoo and Kytoo, "five thousand years, and he fmote

*This title is prefixed to every section of Bramah's fecond book, Birmah in the figurative fenfe (before explained) fignifying creation.

The common appellation given to giants, but is varioufly used in the Shaftah, to exprefs excrefcence, excretion, and fecretion.

+ Difcord, enmity.

Confufion, tumult.

"them

1

them on his thigh, and they were loft and affimilated with Murto.

"And it was,-that when Modoo "and Kytoo were fubdued, the Eternal "ONE emerged from his ftate of in"vifibility, and glory encompaffed him "on every fide!

"And the Eternal ONE fpoke, and "faid, Thou Birmah †shalt create and "form all things that shall be made

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in the new creation of the fifteen "Boboons of punishment, and purifi"cation, according to the powers of the fpirit, wherewith thou shalt be infpired.And thou, Biftnoo ‡, shalt fuperintend, cherish, and preferve all "the things and forms which shall be "created. And thou, Sieb ||, shalt "change, or destroy, all creation, ac"cording to the powers, wherewith I " will inveft thee."

cr

*Reduced them to fubjection, or obedience: touching the thigh, amongst the ancient Gentoos, was a token of fubjection.

+ Power of creation. Vid. introduction to the fourth chapter.

Preferver. Vid. introduction to the fourth chapter.
Mutilator, deftroyer. Vid. introduction, &c.

"And

"And when Birmah, Biftnoo, and "Sieb, had heard the words of the "Eternal ONE, they all bowed obe"dience *.

"The Eternal ONE fpoke again, "and faid to Birmah, Do thou begin "the creation and formation of the

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eighth Boboon, of punishment and pro"bation, even the Boboon of Murto, according to the powers of the fpirit "wherewith I have endued thee, and "do thou, Biftnoo, proceed to execute thy part.

"And when Brum heard the "command, which the mouth of the "Eternal ONE had uttered; he straight

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ways formed a leaf of beetle, and he "floated on the beetle leaf over the fur"face of the boale; and the children

"of Modoo and Kytor, fled before

*The foregoing exordium of the general act of creation of the Dunneahoudah, preceeds every one of the fifteen fections of Bramah's fecond book.

+ Birmah and Brum, are, in the act of creation, fynonimous terms.

Suppofed remains of difcordant matter. The Bramins fuppofed the first principles of things prior to the creation of the univerfe, to have been in a fluid ftate.

« him,