year in nearly all of these forms, and various blessings are sought from her by her worshippers. In addition to these she is worshipped under other names; some of the more generally known will now be given. It should be noticed that the Hindus who worship Durga in any of her forms, and the other female deities, when they represent the Sakti, or energy of their husbands, are called Saktas, and form a class distinct from the Hindus generally. An exception, however, must be made in respect to Sarasvati, Lakshmi, and the autumnal worship of Durga; this particular form of worship being common to almost all Hindus.

11. PRATYANGIRa (the well-proportioned one). Of this form of Durga no images are made, but at night the officiating priest, wearing red clothes, offers red flowers, liquors, and bloody sacrifices. The flesh of animals dipped in some intoxicating drink is burned; the worshipper believing that the flesh of the enemy for whose injury the ceremony is performed will swell, as the flesh of the sacrifice swells in the fire.

12. ANNAPURNa (she who fills with food) is represented as a fair woman, standing on a lotus, or as sitting on a throne. In one hand she holds a rice bowl, and in the other a spoon used for stirring rice when it is being boiled. Siva, as a mendicant, is receiving alms from her. She is the guardian deity of many Hindus, who have a proverb to the effect that a sincere disciple of this deity will never want rice. It is in connection with this form of Durga that the "Linga Purana" [**] gives a legend explaining an image called Ardhanarishwara, which represents Siva and Durga as together forming one body. Siva as a mendicant supported his wife and children by begging; but on one occasion,

owing to his use of intoxicating. herbs, he was unable to go his rounds. Durga told him there was nothing in the house to eat; half the previous day's contributions they had eaten; Ganesa's rat and Kartikeya's peacock

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ANNAPURNA

having finished the rest. Siva then went out to beg, and Durga started for her father's house with the children, but was met by Narada, who advised her, as Annapurna, to lay an embargo on the food of the houses where Siva asked for alms. The result was no one

would give him anything. Narada meeting him advised him to go home; Annapurna met him at the door, and so pleased him by giving him food, that he pressed her to his breast with such force that they became one body.

13. GANESAJANANI (the mother of Ganesa) is worshipped with her infant in her arms.

14. KRISHNAKRORA (she who holds Krishna on her breast). When Krishna fought with the serpent Kaliya in the river Yamuna, he was bitten, and in pain called upon Durga for help. She heard his cry, and, by suckling him from her breast, restored him to health.