DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5828#0038
16
THE ROYAL DEVOTEE,
formed before him those mysterious rites not permit-
ted by the rules of his order to be witnessed by mor-
tal eye. In proportion as the master's assurance of
the menial's fidelity strengthened, the latter appeared
more anxious to deserve this flattering opinion of the
royal fanatic, by unremitting attention to his com-
mands. Perceiving the influence he was rapidly gain-
ing, Youghal took care to increase it by greater ob-
sequiousness of attention to the commands of his
sainted master, endeavouring to anticipate his most
trifling wishes; and when he was suffering under
the positive agonies of corporeal infliction, mitiga-
ting the severity of those pains, by extolling the mar-
vellous magnanimity of him who bore them—for your
Hindoo saints seek the reward of their fatuitous en-
durance of bodily torture, no less in the praises of
men than in the superior blessings of the Swerga1.
Those exclamations of amazement which burst from
the wily attendant were as celestial harmony to the
ears of the self-tormented devotee, who was more
completely confirmed in the conviction of Youghal's
extraordinary reverence and fidelity, in proportion
to the frequency of his exclamations, and the appa-
rent fervour of his astonishment.
The result of such severe and continued austerity
was, that the Suniassi had secured not only the
favour but the admiration of those divinities who pre-
side over the different mansions in the Hindoo para-
dise, and by frequent penances, so intolerable that
few men could undergo them without falling a sacri-
' The celestial paradise of the Hindoos.
THE ROYAL DEVOTEE,
formed before him those mysterious rites not permit-
ted by the rules of his order to be witnessed by mor-
tal eye. In proportion as the master's assurance of
the menial's fidelity strengthened, the latter appeared
more anxious to deserve this flattering opinion of the
royal fanatic, by unremitting attention to his com-
mands. Perceiving the influence he was rapidly gain-
ing, Youghal took care to increase it by greater ob-
sequiousness of attention to the commands of his
sainted master, endeavouring to anticipate his most
trifling wishes; and when he was suffering under
the positive agonies of corporeal infliction, mitiga-
ting the severity of those pains, by extolling the mar-
vellous magnanimity of him who bore them—for your
Hindoo saints seek the reward of their fatuitous en-
durance of bodily torture, no less in the praises of
men than in the superior blessings of the Swerga1.
Those exclamations of amazement which burst from
the wily attendant were as celestial harmony to the
ears of the self-tormented devotee, who was more
completely confirmed in the conviction of Youghal's
extraordinary reverence and fidelity, in proportion
to the frequency of his exclamations, and the appa-
rent fervour of his astonishment.
The result of such severe and continued austerity
was, that the Suniassi had secured not only the
favour but the admiration of those divinities who pre-
side over the different mansions in the Hindoo para-
dise, and by frequent penances, so intolerable that
few men could undergo them without falling a sacri-
' The celestial paradise of the Hindoos.