f Crishna are
represented with coronets, this fact has caused several writers to
observe that the effigies of Ballaji have furnished the copies for the
thorn-crowned Jesus. Through the ignorance of the early Christians
who in the second century adopted the religion of Crishna, the true
significance of this coronet was not understood, hence the thorns upon
the head of Christ. In referring to the effigy of a crucified savior
found in Ireland the author of The Round Towers says that it was not
intended for our Savior for the reason that it wore the Iranian regal
crown, instead of the Jewish crown of thorns.(171)

171) The Round Towers of Ireland, p. 298.

Regarding this effigy, Higgins remarks that the crucified body without
the cross reminds one that "some of the ancient sects of heretics held
Jesus to have been crucified in the clouds."

Moore, who has produced several prints of Ballaji, says he is unable
to account for the pierced foot of a crucified figure in India. He
endeavors to prove, however, that this crucifix cannot be Hindoo
"because there are duplicates of it from the same model." As the mould
is made of clay, he contends that only one cast may be made from it.
This argument falls to the ground, however, so soon as it is found
that duplicates, or copies of these brass idols which may not be
distinguished from the originals, are seen in the museum at the India
House, and also in that of the Asiatic Society.

The admission of Moore that "great influence was brought to bear upon
him to induce him not to publish the prints of Ballaji for fear of
giving offense," serves as a hint in determining the cause for the lack
of information respecting this god.

It is believed that, were the development of truth upon this subject
rather than its concealment the object of Christian missionaries, the
temples of Ballaji would have furnished more important information to
the Christian world than would those of any other of the Hindoo gods;
but while numberless pilgrimages have been made to Juggernaut and
other shrines devoid of interest to the student, we have heard little
concerning the shrines of this deity, although at the time Moore wrote,
Terputty was in the possession of the English who made a profit of
L15,000 a year from the temple.

On the Brechin Tower in Ireland are two arches one within the other in
relief. At the top of the arch is a crucifix, and about midway from top
to bottom on either side are t