DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9551#0178
SECOND CONFERENCE ON THE PRACTICE
pile, and at that time the widow, according to the pres-
cribed form, ascends the pile, in this mode also there is
nothing contrary to the Shastrus. You have at the same
time quoted two or three authorities to shew, that rites
should be performed according to the custom of the
country. I reply. Female murder, murder of a Brahmun,
parricide, and similar heinous crimes, cannot be reckonec
amongst pious acts by alleging the custom of a country
in their behalf; by such customs rather the country in
which they exist is itself condemned. I shall write more
at large to this purpose in the conclusion. The practice,
therefore, of forcibly tying down women to the pile, and
burning them to death, is inconsistent with the Shastrus,
and highly sinful. It is of no consequence to affirm,
that this is customary in any particular country—if it
were universally practised, the murders would still be
criminal. The pretence that many are united in the com-
mission of such murder will not secure them from divine
vengeance. The customs of a country or of a race may
be followed in matters where no particular rules are
prescribed in the Shastrus; but the wilful murder of
widows, prohibited by all Shastrus, is not to be justified
by the practice of a few. From the Skundu Pooran :
" In those matters in which neither the Veds nor law-
givers give either direct sanction or prohibition, the-
customs of a country or of a race may be observed."*
If you insist that the practice of a country or of a race,
though directly contrary to the directions of the Shastrus,
is still proper to be observed, and to be reckoned amongst
*r ^ ^iwf?^?fr «t ftw: ^ «ft w eft i
i.
pile, and at that time the widow, according to the pres-
cribed form, ascends the pile, in this mode also there is
nothing contrary to the Shastrus. You have at the same
time quoted two or three authorities to shew, that rites
should be performed according to the custom of the
country. I reply. Female murder, murder of a Brahmun,
parricide, and similar heinous crimes, cannot be reckonec
amongst pious acts by alleging the custom of a country
in their behalf; by such customs rather the country in
which they exist is itself condemned. I shall write more
at large to this purpose in the conclusion. The practice,
therefore, of forcibly tying down women to the pile, and
burning them to death, is inconsistent with the Shastrus,
and highly sinful. It is of no consequence to affirm,
that this is customary in any particular country—if it
were universally practised, the murders would still be
criminal. The pretence that many are united in the com-
mission of such murder will not secure them from divine
vengeance. The customs of a country or of a race may
be followed in matters where no particular rules are
prescribed in the Shastrus; but the wilful murder of
widows, prohibited by all Shastrus, is not to be justified
by the practice of a few. From the Skundu Pooran :
" In those matters in which neither the Veds nor law-
givers give either direct sanction or prohibition, the-
customs of a country or of a race may be observed."*
If you insist that the practice of a country or of a race,
though directly contrary to the directions of the Shastrus,
is still proper to be observed, and to be reckoned amongst
*r ^ ^iwf?^?fr «t ftw: ^ «ft w eft i
i.