Page:The Land of the Veda.djvu/390

380 In the event of her husband dying while absent from her, provision is made for her suttee in the following words of the Brahma-Purana: “If the husband be out of the country when he dies, let the virtuous wife take his slippers, or any thing else that belongs to his dress, and, binding them or it upon her breast, after purification, enter a separate fire.” The same Purana adds: “While the pile is preparing, tell the faithful wife of the greatest duty of woman. She is alone loyal and pure who burns herself with her husband's corpse. Having thus fortified her resolution, and full of affection, she completes the Pragashita, and ascends to Swarga.” The circumstances are defined in which widows are excused from the obligation of suttee. For example, if a woman has recently become a mother, or expects soon to be, she may hold herself exempted; yet even she is at liberty, thirty days after childbirth, to assert her fidelity by dying amid the flames.

In case a Hindoo widow decides not to burn, then these priestly law-makers have prescribed her future condition under degrading obligations, that often prove but a little less terrible than death itself; but of this we shall speak more fully when we come to describe the condition to which Hindoo law reduces the afflicted widows of that land. Before considering the motives of this fearful sacrifice, and the extent to which it has prevailed, we will place before our readers a description of the rite of suttee as it is usually performed.

The husband is dead. In India the body must be disposed of within twelve hours. In the tumult of her grief, the Brahmins and friends wait upon the distracted widow to learn her intentions. There is no time for reflection or second thought. Within an hour it is usually settled. She agrees to mingle her ashes with her lord's. Opium or strong liquor is given to sustain her courage. Before the word is spoken the decision is with herself; but, once consenting to die, she may not recall her words. Millions, of course, have expressed a trembling preference for life, even with all its future gloom to them; but multitudes have consented at