ABSTRACT
IN the Hindu conception of creation water is one of the five primary elements, the Pancbkūt, Pancmaħabh,ūta. In the evolution of the world, water was the fourth element to appear, preceding only Pŗthvī or the earth; at its dissolution the world is supposed to assume first the form of water. After the dismissal of śakti from things which have been the residence of power, the things are thrown into water, that they may return to the element antecedent to earth from which they evolved. According to the Muhammadan, God has called water mvhārak; it represents immortality. In the Koran it is the source of life: ‘We have made of water every thing living’; the Divine Revelation is compared to water.
