On this page
-
Text (1)
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
taean * in my power to improve their minds , aud lead them to the knowledge of a purer system ot morality . Living constantly amongst Hindoos of different sects and professions , I have had ample opportunity of observing the superstitious puerilities into which they have heen thrown by then *
self-interested guides ; who , in 4 efian < eof the law as well as of common sense , have succeeded hut too w&N in conducting them to the temple of idolatry ; and while they Wd from their viewrthe true substance of morality , have infused into their simple hearts a weak attach merit for its mere
shaqpw . J ? or , the chjef part of the theory and practice of IHndooism , I am sorry to say , is made to consist iil the adoption of a peculiar mode of diet , the least aberration from which , ( even though the conduct of the offender may , in other respects , be pure and blameless , ) is not only visited with the severest censure , but actually punished by
exclusion from the society of his family and friends . In a word , he is doomed to undergo what is commonly called loss of caste . On the contrary , the rigid observance of this grand article of Hindoo faitii , is considered in so high a light , as to compensate for every moral defect . Even the most atrocious crimes weigh little or
nothing iu the balance against the supposed guilt of its violation . Murder , theft , or perjury , though brought home to the party by a judicial sentence , so far from inducing loss of caste , is visited in their society with no peculiar mark of infamy or disgrace . A trifling present to the Brahmin
commonly called PrdyascMtj with the performance of a few idle ceremonies , are held as a sufficient atonement for all those crimes 5 and the delinquent is at once freed from al ! temporal inconvenience , as well as all dread of future retribution . My reflections upon these solemn truths have been most
painful for many years . I have never ceased to contemplate with the strongest feeliiig-s of regret , the obstinate adherence of my countrymen to their fatal system of idolatry , inducing , for the sake of propitiating- their supposed deities , the violation 1
of every humane and social feeling . And this in various instances ; but more especially in the dreadful acts of self-destruction , and the immolation of the nearest relation ^ , under the delusion of conforming * to sacred religious rites . 1 have never ceased , I
repeat , to contemplate these practices with the strongest feelings of regret , and to v * e ? p in them the moral debasement of a race who , I cannot lielp thinking * , are capable of better things ; whose susceptibihty , patience and mildness of character , reader them worthy of a better destiny , y ^ der thefce im pressions , therefore , I have ™ eri tcotapeMetl to lay before them genuine ttttatfttftbtafi of ptrte of their Scripture , vfoith inctfteat e * afct onty the enlightened
Untitled Article
worship of one God , but the purest principles of morality , accompanied with such notices a * I deemed requisite to oppose the arguments employed by the Brahmins ^ iu defence of their beloved system . Most earnestly do I pray , that the whole may * sooner or later , prove efficient in producing
on the minds of Hindoos in general , a conviction of the rationality of believing in , aiid adoring * the Supreme Being only 5 to » gether with a complete perception and practice of that grand and comprehensive moral principle , Do unto others as ye would be done by . "—In trod . pp . i . —v :
The " Upanishad of the Veda * ' has some fine verses . For example" The Supreme Spirit is one and unchangeable : He proceeds more ra * pidly than the comprehending power of the mind : Him no external sense £ an apprehend , for a knowledge of him outruns even the internal sense /*
He , the Supreme Being , seems to move every where , although he iu reality has no motion—He pervades the internal and external parts of this whole universe . * ' " He who
perceives jthe whole univerae in the Supreme Being , and who also perceives the Supreme Being in the whole universe , does not feel contempt towards any creature whatsoever . ''
Thfe concluding verses are curious and interesting , especially with the translator ' s comment mingled with the te ^ t and his note at the end : " 15 . Thou hast , O sun , ( say $ to theszin a person agitated on the approach qfdeath
who during his life attended to the performance of religious rites neglecting the attainment of a knowledge ofGod 9 J thovt hast , O sun , concealed by thy illuminating body the way to the true Being-, who rules in thee . Take off that veil for the guidance of me . thy true devotee .
u 16 . O thoti ( continues he ) who nourishest the world , movest singly , and who dost regulate the whole mundane system—O zun , Son of Cushvup , disperse thjr ray * for my passage , and withdraw thy violent light , so that I may by thy grace ,
behold , thy most prosperous aspect . Why should / , ( says he again retracting Mmself on reflecting upon the true divine nature , ) why should I intreat the sun as I am what be is , that is , the Being who rules in the sun rules also in me ?
cc 17 . Let my breath ( resumes he ) be absorbed after death into thje wide atmospbere ; and let this my body be burnt to ashes . O my intellect , think now on what may be beneficial tome , O fire ! remember what religious rites I have hitherto performed .
Untitled Article
Remew .-r-Hindoo Uftitarianwm . 567
-
-
Citation
-
Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1819, page 567, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1776/page/43/
-