DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9550#0096
48
INTRODUCTION.
It is with no ordinary feeling of satisfaction that I
have already seen many respectable persons of my
countrymen, to the great disappointment of their inter-
ested spiritual guides, rise superior to their original pre-
judices, and enquire into the truths of religion. As-
many European gentlemen, especially those who inter-
est themselves in the improvement of their fellow-crea-
tures, may be gratified with a view of the doctrines of
the original work, it appeared to me that I might best.
contribute to that gratification, by translating a few
chapters of the Ved into the English language, which I
have accordingly done, and now submit them to their
candid judgment. Such benevolent people will, per-
haps, rise from a perusal of them with the conviction,
that in the most ancient times the inhabitants of this
part of the globe (at least the more intelligent class) were-
not unacquainted with metaphysical subjects ; that al-
legorical language or description was very frequently
employed to represent the attributes of the Creator,
which were sometimes designated as independent exist-
ences ; and that, however suitable this method might be
to the refined understandings of men of learning, it had
the most mischievous effect when literature and philosophy
decayed, producing all those absurdities and idolatrous
notions which have checked, or rather destroyed, every
mark of reason, and darkened every beam of under-
standing.
Ganges This is practised by the Hindoos of Bengal only, the cruel-
ty of which affects even Hindoos of Behar, Ilahabad, and all the
upper provinces.
INTRODUCTION.
It is with no ordinary feeling of satisfaction that I
have already seen many respectable persons of my
countrymen, to the great disappointment of their inter-
ested spiritual guides, rise superior to their original pre-
judices, and enquire into the truths of religion. As-
many European gentlemen, especially those who inter-
est themselves in the improvement of their fellow-crea-
tures, may be gratified with a view of the doctrines of
the original work, it appeared to me that I might best.
contribute to that gratification, by translating a few
chapters of the Ved into the English language, which I
have accordingly done, and now submit them to their
candid judgment. Such benevolent people will, per-
haps, rise from a perusal of them with the conviction,
that in the most ancient times the inhabitants of this
part of the globe (at least the more intelligent class) were-
not unacquainted with metaphysical subjects ; that al-
legorical language or description was very frequently
employed to represent the attributes of the Creator,
which were sometimes designated as independent exist-
ences ; and that, however suitable this method might be
to the refined understandings of men of learning, it had
the most mischievous effect when literature and philosophy
decayed, producing all those absurdities and idolatrous
notions which have checked, or rather destroyed, every
mark of reason, and darkened every beam of under-
standing.
Ganges This is practised by the Hindoos of Bengal only, the cruel-
ty of which affects even Hindoos of Behar, Ilahabad, and all the
upper provinces.