o forces will be a current in the directed from
S.E. to N.W. This, I think, is one of the real causes of the prevailing
south-east wind. At any rate, I do not think the north pole to be
positive, as there would be no snow there in such a case. The aurora
cannot take place at the source of the currents, but at their close.
Hence the source must be towards the equator or south. The course of
life, civilization, light, and almost everything seems to be from E. to
W. or S.E. to N.W. The penalty for sleeping with the head to the west
is said to be anxiety of mind, while sleeping with the head to the north
is considered fatal. I beg to invite the attention of the Hindus to a
similar penalty of death incurred by any but an initiate (Brahman)
pronouncing the sacred Pranava (Om). This does not prove that Pranava
is really a mischievous bad word, but that, with incompetent men, it is
fraught with danger. So also, in the case of ordinary men of the
plains, there may be unknown dangers which it would not be prudent for
them to risk so long as they do not know how to meet them, or so long as
they are not under the guidance of men who can protect them. In short,
ordinary men should move on in their beaten course, and these rules are
for them only.

As an instance of the infringement of the rule the following anecdote is
given:--

After Ganesha (Siva's son) was born, all the Devas (gods) came to
congratulate the family and bless the child. Sani or Saturn, was the
last to come, and even then he came after he had been several times
inquired after. When he went to see the infant, it appeared headless!
This at once created a sensation, and all the Devas were at their wits'
end. At last Saturn himself approached Mahadeva with folded hands and
reminded him that it was due to his presence, and the child having been
kept in a bed with its head to the north. For such was the law. Then
the Devas consulted together and sent out messengers to find out who
else was sleeping with the head to the north. At last they discovered
an elephant in that position. Its head was immediately cut off and
placed on the shoulders of Ganesha. It need not be said that Ganesha
became afterwards so learned and wise that if he had not had an
elephant's head, a human head would never have been sufficient to hold
all he knew. This advantage he owed to the circumstance of his sleeping
with head to the north, and the blessing of the Devas. To the eleph