42 HISTORY OF INDIA. [Book IV.
AD. — which might have been deferred for days, or months, or years, by wiser and
gentler ti-eatment. In consequence of this practice the sacred stream can hardly
be viewed without disgust, from the number of dead bodies which are floated
down upon it.
iiinfiooism The character of the Hindoo religion may be legitimately inferred from that of
m practice.
the gods who are the objects of its worship ; but a much more vivid impression may be obtained by passing from theory to practice, and viewing it under the forms it assumes both in daily life and on extraordinary occasions. In regard to all forms, private and public, one common remark may be made. The reli- gious service performed is entirely of a ceremonial nature, and has nothing to do with the heart and conscience. If words of the Veda are repeated by rote as a kind of charm — if the breath is suppressed and made to pass in a peculiar manner through one nostril, while the other is stopped by the finger — if water is sipped, poured out, or used in bathing, while a number of minute regulations are carefully observed — by these, and such like mummerie.s, the worsliipper considers himself cleansed from all impurity and entitled to claim the divine favour. If higher degrees of merit are aspired to, the means to be employed are not genuine sorrow for past sins and earnest endeavours to advance in holiness, but penances and austerities, the efiicacy of which is estimated by the amount of bodily suffering which they inflict. The tortures to which multitudes submit with this view are often of the most barbarous and shocking description. The highest place in heaven is thus reserved for those who, from physical constitution or long training, possess most strength of bodily endurance, and the greatest villain on earth, without repenting of one of his crimes or forsaking one of his vices, may acquire the reputation and the privileges of a saint. Under such a system there is no inducement to virtuous practice. Every man has only to follow the bent of his own inclinations, assured that into whatever enormities passion or interest may lead him, it will always be easy to find some divinity who will accept his worship, and in retm'n for it cancel all hi.^ guilt. ,; In illustrating the highest form of religious observance required of a Hindoo in the ordinary routine of life, we shall be sure not to understate the matter by selecting the Brahmin as an example, obseivances Assumino' that the Brahmin performs all that is required of him, his daily
ofaBrah- , ° ... . .
mill. course will be as follows: — On rising from sleep the first thing he does is to
clean his teeth with a twig of the racemiferous fig-tree, repeating to himself during the operation the following prayer: "Attend, lord of the forest, Soma, king of herbs and plants, has approached thee; mayest thou and he cleanse my mouth with glory and good au.spices, that I may eat abundant food. Lord of the forest ! grant me life, strength, glory, splendour, offspring, cattle, abundant wealth, virtue, knowledge, and intelligence." The use of the twig, ordinarily deemed so indispensable that the omission of it would render all other religious services fruitless, is forbidden on certain specified days, when as a substitute for it
