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JULY, 1980
19
"For thee, O Thoth I shall make a resplendent abode in the great deep and the underworld which is Duat. Thou shalt record the sins of men, and the names of those who are mine enemies; ...
“So came into being by his power the ibis, the crane, and the dog ape, the messengers of Thoth.”
(Donald A. Mackenize : Egyptian Myths and Legends, p. 11).
In Indian mythology the monkey has at times an exalted position in respect of purity, faith and devotion. Apart from the role of Hanumana, the devoted follower of Rama, the avatara of Visnu, the cosmic deity, the monkey appears as a cognizance of Jaina Tirthankara Abh-i nandananatha and the Buddhist legends contain the story of the noble Mahākapi who was all intent to save his followers at the cost of his own life. As late as seventh century A. D. the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen-tsang refers to monkeys who offered honey to the Buddha near Vaisali.
A scene envisaging Siva Pasupati or a supreme meditation as that of a Jina or any other saint of distant past the motif is carved on a seal
from Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan.
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