Page:Hindu Feasts Fasts and Ceremonies.djvu/69

Rh the Ramayana. Nay, the whole of the Mahabharata is said to have been related during one of these long sacrifices. In ancient times Kalakshepas were few and far between. But wherever and whenever such took place they always resulted in a substantial addition to the literature of the country and the enlightenment of the people at large.

But now these Kalakshepas have multiplied like mushrooms and in many cases persons with no pretensions to learning stand up as preachers. The original object of instruction is lost sight of, and Mammon is the God presiding over most of these exhibitions. Most of the Bhagavatas are self-styled; and having managed to get a smattering knowledge of a few puranic tales, they make Kalakshepa of these tales, not on religious occasions but invariably during the Rahukala time of a Sunday evening, nor before learned assemblies always, as in days of old, but often before unlearned and uncritical audiences. In the majority of instances at the present day it is the inspiring nature of the themes chosen for Kalakshepa and the accompaniment of music that attract large crowds to such discourses more than the learning or