DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0091
lxxviii
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
states of suffering. Absorption can be obtained only by quali-
fications acquired on earth; and to obtain this, even an inha-
bitant of heaven must be born on earth. A person may sink to
earth again by crimes committed in heaven. The joys of heaven
arise only from the gratification of the senses. A person raised
to heaven is considered as a god.
' Every ceremony of the Hindoo religion is either accompanied
by a general prayer for some good, or is done from pure devotion,
without hope of reward; or from a principle of obedience to the
shastrii, which* has promised certain blessings on the performance
of such and such religious actions.
' Various sacrifices are commanded, bat the most common one
at present is the burnt-offering with clarified butter, &c. It is
performed to procure heaven.—The worship of the gods is,
speaking generally, followed by benefits in a future state, as the
prayers, praise, and offerings, ^please the gods.—Repeating the
names of the gods procures heaven, for the name of god is like
fire, which devours every combustible.—Bathing is the means of
purification before religious services, and when attended to in
sacred places, merits heaven.—Gifts to the poor, and to persons
of merit, and losing life to save another, are actions highly meri-
torious, and procure for the person future happiness.—Fasting is
an act of merit, as the person refuses food in devotion to the
gods.—Vows to the gods procure heaven.—Praise offered to the
gods in songs, is efficacious in procuring future happiness.—Vi-
siting holy places, a spiritual guide, a father or a mother, destroys
all sin.—Compassion, forbearance, tenderness, (regarding the
shedding of blood,) speaking truth, entertaining strangers, be-
coming the refuge of the oppressed, planting trees, cutting pools
of water, making flights of steps to holy rivers, and roads to holy
places, giving water to the thirsty, building temples and lodging-
houses for travellers, hearing the praise of the gods or a sacred
book, &c. are actions which merit heaven.—Religious austerities
are useful to subdue the passions, and raise the mind to a pure state.
These austerities are rewarded either by heaven or absorption.'
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
states of suffering. Absorption can be obtained only by quali-
fications acquired on earth; and to obtain this, even an inha-
bitant of heaven must be born on earth. A person may sink to
earth again by crimes committed in heaven. The joys of heaven
arise only from the gratification of the senses. A person raised
to heaven is considered as a god.
' Every ceremony of the Hindoo religion is either accompanied
by a general prayer for some good, or is done from pure devotion,
without hope of reward; or from a principle of obedience to the
shastrii, which* has promised certain blessings on the performance
of such and such religious actions.
' Various sacrifices are commanded, bat the most common one
at present is the burnt-offering with clarified butter, &c. It is
performed to procure heaven.—The worship of the gods is,
speaking generally, followed by benefits in a future state, as the
prayers, praise, and offerings, ^please the gods.—Repeating the
names of the gods procures heaven, for the name of god is like
fire, which devours every combustible.—Bathing is the means of
purification before religious services, and when attended to in
sacred places, merits heaven.—Gifts to the poor, and to persons
of merit, and losing life to save another, are actions highly meri-
torious, and procure for the person future happiness.—Fasting is
an act of merit, as the person refuses food in devotion to the
gods.—Vows to the gods procure heaven.—Praise offered to the
gods in songs, is efficacious in procuring future happiness.—Vi-
siting holy places, a spiritual guide, a father or a mother, destroys
all sin.—Compassion, forbearance, tenderness, (regarding the
shedding of blood,) speaking truth, entertaining strangers, be-
coming the refuge of the oppressed, planting trees, cutting pools
of water, making flights of steps to holy rivers, and roads to holy
places, giving water to the thirsty, building temples and lodging-
houses for travellers, hearing the praise of the gods or a sacred
book, &c. are actions which merit heaven.—Religious austerities
are useful to subdue the passions, and raise the mind to a pure state.
These austerities are rewarded either by heaven or absorption.'