DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0105
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
to despise the great body of the people, and teach them, that the
very sight and touch of a shoodrti renders-them unclean. To be
contented in ignorance is the duty of a shoodru, as well as to
drink with reverence and hope the water in which the bramMn
has dipped his foot. The services too and the hopes held forth
by this religion, are almost exclusively confined to the bramhuns.
The shoodru is supposed to be born to evil destiny; and the only
hope he can indulge is, that after a long succession of transmi-
grations he may probably be born a bramhiin.
The subjugation of the passions, so much insisted upon in the
Hindoo shastriis, applies to all virtuous as well as vicious desires.
The person who is divested of all desire, even that of obtaining
God, is described as having arrived at the summit of perfection.
The love of parents, of children, &c. is an imperfection, accord-
ing to the Hindoo code: hence says Krishnii, ' Wisdom is ex-
emption from attachment and affection for children, wife, and
homey.'
These shastriis also teach, that sin may be removed by the
slightest ceremony; and thus, instead of reforming, they pro-
mise impunity in transgression. See different stories in vol. i.
pp. 82, 272, 277.
The tit'hurvu vetlu contains many prayers for the destruction
y At the time a learned native was assisting the Rev. Mr. Carey in the
translation of the New Testament into the Sungskritu,when such passages
as these were translating,' Henceforth know I no man after the flesh;'
' We are dead, and our life is hid,' &c.' I am crucified to the world;'
' We are fools for Christ;'' We are made a spectacle/ &c. he exclaimed,
' This is pure voirageeism: Paul was a true PMrum-hiingsee.' Yet the
divine principles upon which Paul trampled upon the world, and devoted
himself supremely to God, have no existence in the shastriis. The Hin-
doo principle is mere stoicism; its origin is either selfishness, or infatu-
ated ambition: hut the principle of the apostle, was the love of Christ
who died on a cross for his enemies—as he himself says,' The love of
Christ, like an irresistible torrent, bears us away;' ' If we are besida
ourselves, it is for your sakes.'
to despise the great body of the people, and teach them, that the
very sight and touch of a shoodrti renders-them unclean. To be
contented in ignorance is the duty of a shoodru, as well as to
drink with reverence and hope the water in which the bramMn
has dipped his foot. The services too and the hopes held forth
by this religion, are almost exclusively confined to the bramhuns.
The shoodru is supposed to be born to evil destiny; and the only
hope he can indulge is, that after a long succession of transmi-
grations he may probably be born a bramhiin.
The subjugation of the passions, so much insisted upon in the
Hindoo shastriis, applies to all virtuous as well as vicious desires.
The person who is divested of all desire, even that of obtaining
God, is described as having arrived at the summit of perfection.
The love of parents, of children, &c. is an imperfection, accord-
ing to the Hindoo code: hence says Krishnii, ' Wisdom is ex-
emption from attachment and affection for children, wife, and
homey.'
These shastriis also teach, that sin may be removed by the
slightest ceremony; and thus, instead of reforming, they pro-
mise impunity in transgression. See different stories in vol. i.
pp. 82, 272, 277.
The tit'hurvu vetlu contains many prayers for the destruction
y At the time a learned native was assisting the Rev. Mr. Carey in the
translation of the New Testament into the Sungskritu,when such passages
as these were translating,' Henceforth know I no man after the flesh;'
' We are dead, and our life is hid,' &c.' I am crucified to the world;'
' We are fools for Christ;'' We are made a spectacle/ &c. he exclaimed,
' This is pure voirageeism: Paul was a true PMrum-hiingsee.' Yet the
divine principles upon which Paul trampled upon the world, and devoted
himself supremely to God, have no existence in the shastriis. The Hin-
doo principle is mere stoicism; its origin is either selfishness, or infatu-
ated ambition: hut the principle of the apostle, was the love of Christ
who died on a cross for his enemies—as he himself says,' The love of
Christ, like an irresistible torrent, bears us away;' ' If we are besida
ourselves, it is for your sakes.'