On Mankind; Their Origin and Destiny - Arthur Dyot Thomson

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIV. The Bagawadam contains a sacerdotal myth respecting the Deluge which is evidently astrological in its origin, for it can be explained without difficulty by the astronomical aspects. Vishnu, or the guardian deity, assumes in it the form of a fish in Capricorn, as is represented in the Hindu Zodiac. This is the Southern Fish, which is at the end of the water of Aquarius in our spheres, and winds under Capricorn. The Sun-god, or Vishnu, assuming this celestial shape, came, it is said, in order to be near a virtuous prince, whom he wished to save from the Deluge in order to reestablish a new order of things. This prince is evidently Aquarius, or Deucalion, who was also saved from the Deluge on account of his virtues. The Chinese also place a prince, Tchouen-Hi, under whom also a deluge took place, in this same sign (Souciet, t. iii. p. 32). In the Hindu fiction this prince is the seventh Menu, or tutelary genius, who presides over one of the ages, just as Aquarius is the seventh sign from the summer solstice, and as Saturn, who is also domiciled in it, is also the seventh. Vishnu in this shape tells this virtuous prince that he will be near him; that as soon as he is on the ocean he will see a large ship and a seaserpent appear in the midst*of the waters, and that this serpent will serve as a cable by which the ship can be drawn along by tying it to the great horn of the fish, whose form Vishnu himself has assumed. The Deluge begins; the sea overflows, the rain falls in torrents. This alludes to the sign we are about to enter, namely, Aquarius, or the first Ritou, under whom the year is about to be renewed. The protecting Deity also appears on the ocean in the shape of a fish which glitters like gold. No better description can...