Page:Monier Monier-Williams - Indian Wisdom.djvu/41

 This common ground is to be looked for more in Brahmanism than in Buddhism, and even than in Islam. In proof of which I refer the reader to pp. 53-60 for a summary of Buddhism; t« pp. 36, 324, and to p. 12, note I, for a summary of Hinduism both popular and esoteric; to pp. 22, 228, for the Hindu account of the creation of the world l; to pp. 32, 394, for that of the deluge; to pp. 5-8 for the Hindu and Muhammadan doctrine of revelation and inspiration; to p. 146, note I, for the Hindu conception of original sin; to p. 333, note i, for the Hindu theory of the gradual depravation of the human race; to p. 31, note I, and to p. 251, for that of sacrifices and sacramental acts2; to pp. 247-249, 279, for that of the mystical efficacy of water in cleansing from sin 3 (compare also

1 Professor Banerjea ('Indian Antiquary,' Feb. 1875) thinks that the Hindu account of the creation of the world preserves traces of the revelation made in the Bible of the Spirit brooding on the surface of the waters; and that the theory of the Nagas, who were half serpents half men, dwelling in the lower regions (see p. 430), confirms the Biblical account of the Serpent, which was originally perhaps a species corresponding to the Naga, before the sentence was pronounced by which it became a creeping reptile. Compare the story of the eldest of the five sons of Ayus (of the lunar race), called Nahusha, cursed by Agastya to become a serpent, for excessive pride, in having, after gaining by penance the rank of Indni, compelled the Rishis to bear his litter on their backs, and then kicked some of them (Manu VII. 41; Vishnu-purana, p. 413; Maha-bh. V. 343).

2 The Hindus have two roots for 'to sacrifice,' hu ( = an older <lhu = ft/) and yaj. The first is restricted to oblations of clarified butter in fire; the latter is applied to sacrificing, and honouring the gods with sacrifices generally. A third root, su, is used for offering libations with the juice of the Soma-plant, especially to the god Indra—the oldest form of sacrifice in India (note I, p. 31). The idea of sacrifice is ingrained in the whole Hindu system. It is one of the earliest that appears in their religious works, and no literature—not even the Jewish—contains so many words relating to sacrifice as Sanskrit. It is remarkable that the food offered to the gods, when appropriated and eaten by the priests, and the rice distributed by them to the people, are called prasada (t = (vxapurrla).

s Bathing in sacred rivers—especially in the Ganges and at particular Tlrthas, such as Haridvar, Prayaga—purifies the soul from all sin. Hence dying persons are brought to the river-side, leaves of the Tulasi plant being often put in their mouths. Hence also Ganges water (as well as other consecrated liquid) was used in the inauguration (alhislieka) of kings (sec p. 515, and cf. Ramayana II. xv. 5) and in the administration of oaths.