DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.640#0112
ON THE HINDOO RELIGION. xcix
idolaters, because they maintained the unity of God; though
they worshipped the works of their own hands as God, and
though the number of their gods was 330,000,000. It is very
probable, that the unity of God has been a sentiment amongst
the philosophers of every age; and that they wished it to be un-
derstood, that they worshipped the One God, whether they bowed
before the image of Moloch, Jupiter, or Kalee : yet mankind
have generally concluded, that he who worships an image is an
idolater; and I suppose they will continue to think so, unless, in
this age of reason, common sense should be turned out of doors.
Now, however, the world has had some opportunity of decid-
ing upon the claims of the Hindoo writings, both as it respects
their antiquity, and the value of their contents. Mr. Colebrooke's
essay on the ve'diis, and his other important translations; the
Bhuguviit-Geeta, translated by Mr. Wilkins ; the translation of
the Ramayunu, several volumes of which have been printed ;
some valuable papers in the Asiatic Researches; with other
translations by different Siingskritu scholars; have thrown a
great body of light on this subject:—and this light is daily in-
creasing.
Many an object appears beautiful when seen at a distance, and
through a mist; but when the fog has dispersed, and the person
has approached it, he smiles at the deception. Such is the exact
case with these books, and this system of idolatry. Because the
public, for want of being more familiar with the subject, could
not ascertain the point of time when the Hindoo shastrus were
written, they therefore at once believed the assertions of the
bramhuns and their friends, that their antiquity was unfa-
thomable.
The Reverend Mr. Maurice has attempted to describe the
Hindoo ceremonies, which he never saw, in the most captivating
terms, and has painted these ' abominable idolatries' in the
most florid colours. It might hare been expected, (idolatry
being in itself an act so degrading to man, and so dishonourable
n 2
idolaters, because they maintained the unity of God; though
they worshipped the works of their own hands as God, and
though the number of their gods was 330,000,000. It is very
probable, that the unity of God has been a sentiment amongst
the philosophers of every age; and that they wished it to be un-
derstood, that they worshipped the One God, whether they bowed
before the image of Moloch, Jupiter, or Kalee : yet mankind
have generally concluded, that he who worships an image is an
idolater; and I suppose they will continue to think so, unless, in
this age of reason, common sense should be turned out of doors.
Now, however, the world has had some opportunity of decid-
ing upon the claims of the Hindoo writings, both as it respects
their antiquity, and the value of their contents. Mr. Colebrooke's
essay on the ve'diis, and his other important translations; the
Bhuguviit-Geeta, translated by Mr. Wilkins ; the translation of
the Ramayunu, several volumes of which have been printed ;
some valuable papers in the Asiatic Researches; with other
translations by different Siingskritu scholars; have thrown a
great body of light on this subject:—and this light is daily in-
creasing.
Many an object appears beautiful when seen at a distance, and
through a mist; but when the fog has dispersed, and the person
has approached it, he smiles at the deception. Such is the exact
case with these books, and this system of idolatry. Because the
public, for want of being more familiar with the subject, could
not ascertain the point of time when the Hindoo shastrus were
written, they therefore at once believed the assertions of the
bramhuns and their friends, that their antiquity was unfa-
thomable.
The Reverend Mr. Maurice has attempted to describe the
Hindoo ceremonies, which he never saw, in the most captivating
terms, and has painted these ' abominable idolatries' in the
most florid colours. It might hare been expected, (idolatry
being in itself an act so degrading to man, and so dishonourable
n 2