DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5828#0127
A HINDOO LEGEND.
99
pronounces thy freedom from carnal defilement, and
classes thee with the chief among his adorers."
In an instant, the place was enveloped in pro-
found darkness—the form of the Divinity had dis-
appeared ; and Mariataly, recovering from her trance,
found herself upon the temple floor, the Brahmin
standing beside her. She immediately related to
him every particular of the vision, except what
referred to her having been a Pariah. The sacred
functionary, struck by so extraordinary a visitation
of the God of his idolatry, looked upon the agitated
girl as a person eminently favoured of heaven, and
endeavoured to persuade her to devote herself to the
temple in honour of the Deity who had so mer-
cifully revealed himself to her. Mariataly, knowing
the abandoned course of life pursued by women
so devoted, determined not to adopt the Brahmin's
suggestion, and at once declared her resolution.
He was angry that a woman, however pure, and
however distinguished by his Gods, should slight the
counsels of a priest of Vishnoo, especially too of
one who had acquired such long experience in reli-
gious matters ; he, therefore, told her, that she had
no alternative but to become a minister of the
sanctuary, or incur the everlasting indignation of
that august Being who had just appeared to her
under an aspect of the most benign mercy.
Mariataly, little moved by the subtle, but impure,
logic of the Brahmin, who did not hesitate to disgust
her with proposals of his odious love1, determined
1 Nothing ever exceeded the licentious practices of the priests and
other functionaries in some of the Hindoo temples.
F 2
99
pronounces thy freedom from carnal defilement, and
classes thee with the chief among his adorers."
In an instant, the place was enveloped in pro-
found darkness—the form of the Divinity had dis-
appeared ; and Mariataly, recovering from her trance,
found herself upon the temple floor, the Brahmin
standing beside her. She immediately related to
him every particular of the vision, except what
referred to her having been a Pariah. The sacred
functionary, struck by so extraordinary a visitation
of the God of his idolatry, looked upon the agitated
girl as a person eminently favoured of heaven, and
endeavoured to persuade her to devote herself to the
temple in honour of the Deity who had so mer-
cifully revealed himself to her. Mariataly, knowing
the abandoned course of life pursued by women
so devoted, determined not to adopt the Brahmin's
suggestion, and at once declared her resolution.
He was angry that a woman, however pure, and
however distinguished by his Gods, should slight the
counsels of a priest of Vishnoo, especially too of
one who had acquired such long experience in reli-
gious matters ; he, therefore, told her, that she had
no alternative but to become a minister of the
sanctuary, or incur the everlasting indignation of
that august Being who had just appeared to her
under an aspect of the most benign mercy.
Mariataly, little moved by the subtle, but impure,
logic of the Brahmin, who did not hesitate to disgust
her with proposals of his odious love1, determined
1 Nothing ever exceeded the licentious practices of the priests and
other functionaries in some of the Hindoo temples.
F 2