BRAIIMADICA, supposed by Hindus in their mythology to be the first created beings ; but in their cosmogonies their origin and names are variously explained. It is said, in the Institutes of Menu (chap. i. 32), that the Almighty Power, having divided his own substance, became male and female, and from that female produced Viraj. Viraj produced the first Menu, named Swayam bhuva ; he, the ten Brahmadica or Prajapati, whom he calls tho ten lords of -created beings, also the sons of Brahma. They produced seven other Menu, whose names were bwayambhuva, Swarochesha, Uttama, Tainasa, -Rivata, Chac shusha, and Satyavrata. These Menu are by some authorities said to have produced the seven Rishi; but others state the seven Rishi to have sprung immediately from Brahma. Their usual names are Kasyapa, Atri, Vasishta, Viswamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Bharadwaja.-117Iford, As. Res. v. p. 246. The seven Brahmadica are, however, according to Coleman, named Marichi, Atrl, Vashilita, Palnatia, Angiraa, Pulastia, and Kritu. Colonel Wilford, in the Asiatic Itesearchea, tens considered the Brahtnadici, the Menu, awl the Mehl to bo seven Individuals only. The names of some of the Brahtnadica correspond with those of some of the Itishi.—Cole. Jtyth. I find. p. 8. in an account of Viraj, translated by )Ir. Colebrook° from tho White Yajur Veda, it is mil He (the primeval being) felt no delight ; there fore man delights not when alone. lie canted his own self to fall in twain, and thus became a husband and wife, and the human race was pro duced ; and, changing their forms, all ereatel beings appeared. Another account makes Itudni
assist in the theogony. Brahma said, Iliac up, 0 Rudra, and form man to govern the world.' Itudra inunediately obeyed. Ile began the work, but the men he made were fiercer than tigers, having nothing but the destructive quality in their com position, and they soon destroyed ono another, for anger was their only passion. Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra then joined their different powers, and created ten men,whose names were Nareda, Daksha, Vasishta, Bhrigu, Kritu, Puluha, Pulastya, Angira, Atri, and Marichi (that is, Reason, Ingenuity, Emu lation, Humility, Piety, Pride, Patience, Charity, Deceit, Morality), the general name of whom is the Muni. Brahma then produced Dharma, Jus tice, from the breast ; Adharma, injustice, from his back ; Labha, Appetite or Passion, from his lips ; and Kama, Love or Desire, from his The last was a beautiful female, and Brahma looked upon her with amorous emotions ; but the Muni telling him she was his own daughter, he shrank back, and Ladja, Shame, a blushing virgin, sprang from him. Brahma, deeming his body defiled by its emotions towards Kama, purified himself by partially changing it into ten females, who were respectively espoused by the ten Muni.—Moor, Ilindoo Pantheon, p. 91; brooke • Wilford, As. Research. v. p. 246 ; Coleman. IlIythology of the Ilindoos, p. 8; Alenu, i. 32.