DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0025
x« INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
praise of Krishnu are very common amongst this sect; and
sometimes an enthusiast falls to the ground while singing, and
exhibits all the symptoms of superstitious frenzy. These per-
sons reject many of the Hindoo ceremonies; but they repeat the
name of Krishnu, worship the common images of this god, and
observe the national festivals to his honour. Some individuals
are directed in their religious -duties by the Hindoo writings :
but the great body are enthusiasts, following the impulse of
feelings enkindled by their own impure imaginations. Some of
them wander from village to village, proclaiming the name and
reciting the praises of Krishnu.
Those who reverence the philosophical doctrine, and those
who thus adhere to devotion, form however but a very small
part of the Hindoo population. The great majority of the com-
munity are attached to the popular ceremonies, considering them
as at least leading to the knowledge of God, or as laying in a
stock of merit which will influence their condition in this or a
future birth.
The other branch of Hindoo theology enjoins religious du-
ties, as preparing a person for that state which leads to absorp-
tion. Krishnu, in his address to Urjoonu, thus holds up the
value of religious practice :—' Perform thy duty, and make the
event equal whether it terminate in good or evil. The miserable
are so on account of the event of things. Wise men, who have
abandoned all thought of the fruit of their actions, are freed
from the chains .of birth, and go to the regions of eternal happi-
ness'. Juniiku and others have attained perfection even by
■ Mr. Wilkins has thus translated this part of the Bhaguvutu; but the
fact is, that there is no distinct happiness in the Hindoo absorption, be-
cause there is no remaining individuality. The spirit being liberated
from every thing which is not spirit, and absorbed in the ocean of nniver-
sal spirit, or deity, there can be no such thing as individual enjoyment.
The Hindoos illustrate their idea on this subject, by comparing the soul
to air confined in a vessel, which, when the vessel breaks, is immediately
lost in the vast body of air which composes the atmosphere.
praise of Krishnu are very common amongst this sect; and
sometimes an enthusiast falls to the ground while singing, and
exhibits all the symptoms of superstitious frenzy. These per-
sons reject many of the Hindoo ceremonies; but they repeat the
name of Krishnu, worship the common images of this god, and
observe the national festivals to his honour. Some individuals
are directed in their religious -duties by the Hindoo writings :
but the great body are enthusiasts, following the impulse of
feelings enkindled by their own impure imaginations. Some of
them wander from village to village, proclaiming the name and
reciting the praises of Krishnu.
Those who reverence the philosophical doctrine, and those
who thus adhere to devotion, form however but a very small
part of the Hindoo population. The great majority of the com-
munity are attached to the popular ceremonies, considering them
as at least leading to the knowledge of God, or as laying in a
stock of merit which will influence their condition in this or a
future birth.
The other branch of Hindoo theology enjoins religious du-
ties, as preparing a person for that state which leads to absorp-
tion. Krishnu, in his address to Urjoonu, thus holds up the
value of religious practice :—' Perform thy duty, and make the
event equal whether it terminate in good or evil. The miserable
are so on account of the event of things. Wise men, who have
abandoned all thought of the fruit of their actions, are freed
from the chains .of birth, and go to the regions of eternal happi-
ness'. Juniiku and others have attained perfection even by
■ Mr. Wilkins has thus translated this part of the Bhaguvutu; but the
fact is, that there is no distinct happiness in the Hindoo absorption, be-
cause there is no remaining individuality. The spirit being liberated
from every thing which is not spirit, and absorbed in the ocean of nniver-
sal spirit, or deity, there can be no such thing as individual enjoyment.
The Hindoos illustrate their idea on this subject, by comparing the soul
to air confined in a vessel, which, when the vessel breaks, is immediately
lost in the vast body of air which composes the atmosphere.