Page:The Land of the Veda.djvu/37

 seen, as here represented, on the banks of the Ganges or other “holy” stream.

Any thing more singular and whimsical than the forms prescribed for him were never enjoined upon humanity as religious ritual. In illustration of this, from a paper in the “Asiatic Researches,” by Mr. Colebrook, as quoted by Dr. Duff, we ask the reader's attention to the following extract. Speaking of the duties of morning worship, one of which is the religious ablution, as here represented, “the Sacred Books” strictly enjoin as follows:

“He may bathe with water drawn from a well, from a fountain, or from the basin of a cataract; but he should prefer water which lies above ground—choosing a stream rather than stagnant water, a river in preference to a small brook, a holy stream before a vulgar river, and above all the water of the Ganges. If the Ganges be beyond his reach he should invoke that holy river, saying, ‘O, Gunga, hear my prayers! for my sake be included in this small quantity of water with the other sacred streams.’ Then, standing in the water, he must hallow his intended performance by the inaudible recitation of certain sacred texts. Next, sipping water and sprinkling some before him, the worshiper throws water eight times on the crown of his head, on the earth, toward the sky; again toward the sky, on the earth, on the crown of his head; and lastly on the ground, to destroy the demons who wage war with the gods. During the performance of this act of ablution he must be reciting these prayers: ‘O waters! since ye afford delight, grant us present happiness and the rapturous sight of the Supreme Being. Like tender mothers, make us here partakers of your most auspicious essence. We become contented with your essence, with which ye satisfy the universe. Waters, grant it to us.’ Immediately after this first ablution he should sip water without swallowing it, silently praying. These ceremonies and prayers being concluded, he plunges thrice into the water, each time repeating the prescribed expiatory texts.

“He then meditates in the deepest silence. During this moment of intense devotion he is striving to realize that ‘Brahma, with four