THE

METAMORPHOSIS OF SONA;

A HINDÚ TALE:

WITH

A GLOSSARY,

DESCRIPTIVE OF THE

MYTHOLOGY OF THE SASTRAS.

BY JOHN PUDLEY,

VICAR OF SILEBY IN LEICESTERSHIRE.

The Divine Spirit alone is the whole assemblage of gods.

MENU, CHAP. 12. VER. 119.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR BLACK, PARRY, AND KINGSBURY,

BOOKSELLERS TO THE HONOURABLE EAST-INDIA COMPANY,

LEADENHALL-STREET

By S. Hamilton, Weybridge.

1810.

PREFACE.

THE Author of this work was induced to relate in verse, the following legendary tale from the Vayéra Puráná, at the suggestion of an ingenious and much esteemed friend; who, intending to write upon a subject connected with Hindúst hún, imagined such a poem might be properly introduced into it. The verses were not, however, expected to exceed the number of two or three hundred lines; nor were they, by any means, intended to enter very deeply into the doctrines of the Hindú religion, or into a very accurate description or illustration of Hindú manners. As, however, the work advanced, the contemplation of those subjects continued to afford increasing pleasure, and to excite fresh interest; and it was determined to introduce such ornaments,