Ixora

Ixora a divinity of the East Indians, or the worshippers of Brahm. They hold him to be of infinite endurance, and illustrate this belief by saying that Brahm himself, desirous of seeing Ixora's head, ascended to heaven on wings, but failed to gain admittance, the power of Ixora preventing it. A very similar desire Vishnu cherished, but all his attempts also to this end Ixora frustrated. He is said to have two wives, one of whom constantly resides with him, and conceals herself in his hair; the other, strangely enough, they say, dies annually, and is by Ixora restored to life again. The Brahmins represent this idol standing on a pedestal, with no less than sixteen arms, each of them grasping something of value, or representing the natural elements, or weapons indicating his power. His head is adorned with long and beautiful hair; his face is white and shining; he has three eyes, and a crescent or half moon upon his forehead. — Broughton, Bibliotheca Hist. Sac. i, 561. SEE BRAHMINISM.