Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/131

 A ROYAL SUTTEE 99 day to day in the hope that the widow would at last make up her mind to prefer a glorious death to a rem- nant of life spent in contempt and opprobrium. It was a fruitless attempt! The obstinate princess turned a deaf ear to all the pressing entreaties of her rela- tives; and ultimately the deceased was obliged to de- part alone to the other world. It must, however, be confessed that some widows commit this folly readily enough, spurred on as they are by the thought of the wretchedness of widowhood, by vanity, and by the hope of acquir- ing notoriety perhaps also by a genuine feeling of enthusiasm. It should be remembered that they are awarded boundless honours, and are even deified after death. Vows are made and prayers ad- dressed to them, and their inter- cession is sought in times of sick- A PILLAR OF THB OUPTA AOB> ness and adversity. Such remnants of their bodies as have not been entirely consumed by the fire are most devoutly gathered together, and on the spot where they have sacrificed themselves small monumental pyramids are erected to transmit to posterity the memory of these brave victims of conjugal affection a tribute all the more conspicuous, because the erection of tombs is almost unknown among the Hindus. In a word, women who have had the courage to deliver themselves so