Ward, William: A View of the History, Literature, and Religion of the Hindoos (Band 1) (London, 1817)

244 THE HINDOO MYTHOLOGY.

have been bequeathed to the god, the expense of the?daily
worship and offerings is less now than formerly. Few
places in Bengal, however, can now boast of a temple at
which fifty roopees are daily expended °. No bloody sacri-
fices are offered to this image.

However shocked a professed Christian may be at reading
such accounts, and however revolting to every feeling of
modesty and decency these stories may be, the Hindoo
philosophers have thought proper to perpetuate them, and
in this image to personify Inst itself. The bramhuns also
bow down to this image as to a deity worthy of adoration.

" This expense is incurred in the meat-offerings, consisting of rice,
peas, salt, oil, ghee, butter, sugar, sweetmeats, fruits of different kinds,
herbs, spices, betle nuts, &c.; in the offerings of cloth, metal vessels, and
other things; and in the wages of the bramhuns and shoodrus employed.
About ten bramhuns and fourteen shoodrus constantly attend on the ser-
vice of this image.