Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/136

120 enlightened Bania reformer, waged war on the tribe of Máhárájá's twenty years ago. He was fiercely opposed by rich and influential bigots of his own class; but so well-aimed were his hits, that at last he drew forth the giants of iniquity from their impregnable stronghold. They dragged Karsandas to the Court of Law; but in the course of the trial such fearful disclosures were extorted from the Vaishnavas by the redoubtable Anstey, that the cause of the Máhárájás was damaged for ever. The highest tribunal in the land and the entire Indian press pronounced Máhárájism a sink ofiniquities. But Karsandás Mulji died, and with him died that spirit of patient heroism which alone could cope with and triumph over bigotry, hypocrisy, and sin. Our friend the Vaishnava Máháráj is again relapsing into his old ways. His is a very tenacious creed, and until some providential visitation overtakes it, it will go on "conceiving mischief and bringing forth iniquity." It is unspeakably sad to find men and women, whose lives in other respects are regulated by the best domestic and social virtues, men of keen wits and women of pure habits, becoming so utterly infatuated by a vile tradition—a tissue of fantastic fables and