1 4A HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.
2 these is subjecting the body to sufferings and privations of all kinds and with-
3 drawing from all worldly concerns. The pious should consciously neither
4 molest nor destroy any living being, lest it should contain the spirit of one
5 whom the living would have been the least inclined to injure, if, like himself,
6 he had been alive. One’s future state of being depends entirely on the
7 good or bad deeds of the present life. It is related that a Brahmin once
8 seeing a beautiful cat in the lap of an English lady during her even-
9 ing drive, stood amazed by the roadside, exclaiming, “Great is Ram!
10 This creature must surely have done good deeds in a former state of
11 existence that it should now enjoy the good luck of occupying the lap
12 of a Faringan (English lady).” ; Ae
13 The system of caste, The system of caste has taken such deep root in the social institutions
14 of the Hindus that it now forms the vital part, the very mainstay, of their
15 religion. Religious ceremonies have been associated with almost every civil
16 transaction, and an order of priesthood merging into hereditary sacerdotal-
17 ism has been established. This may be called modern Hinduism, as
18 distinguished from that of the age of the Vedas. The spiritual power
19 The Brahmins and gradually lifted its head and the secular power collapsed. The Brahmins
20 their prerogatives. Vorked on the imaginations and fears of the people so well that, from
21 being active and useful members of society, from being counsellors, magis-
22 trates and military commanders, they became an indolent, covetous and
23 superstitious set of people. Like so many tax-gatherers they expect the accus-
24 tomed fee on ceremonies which have become as numerous as themselves.
25 The occasions are not few on which they must be feasted. Should a man
26 die, bedsteads, horses, dresses, utensils and other articles of use in daily
27 life must be given to the Brahmins, for without these the deceased would
28 be inconvenienced in the next world. With the bedstead must be given a
29 pillow, blanket and other necessaries, for whatever is given to the Brah-
30 min in this world is used by the dead in his future life. He there sleeps
31 a good sleep on the bedstead, rides on the horse and wears all the gar-
32 ments that are here given to Brahmins. The Brahmin is no more than
33 a custodian, an instrument through whom your articles are safely trans-
34 mitted to your friend or relative in the world unseen. The more you
35 comfort the Brahmin here, the more will your friend be comforted in
36 the next world. Thus do the Brahmms live on the community as privi-
37 leged pensioners. He who breaks his word with a Brahmin, or inflicts
38 any Injury on him, will, after death, be born again in the form of a devil
39 living in a thick forest, doomed to lament for ever and suffer extreme dis-
40 tress. It is related that a monkey, seeing a fox devouring carrion, was seized
41 with compassion for her, and exclaimed: “Dear sister,—I pity you in your
42 miserable condition. You have to feed yourself on such abominations.
43 You must surely have committed the most heinous crimes in your
44 former life.” “Alas!” eried the poor fox, shedding tears, “my dear
45 Naa T was once a man. Having made a promise to a Brahmin, I had
46 fe that eee ss to fulfil it. This is the punishment I am undergoing
47 ence. 4am compelled to live this life until my former sins are
48 atoned for.” From the moment of birth until the time the soul leaves
49 its earthly tenement, no subject enoro tl i : A
50 than the sacred Brahmi Tt Bere ae on onthe pious
51 a charm against evil poe he dust of their feet is a cure for diseases,
52 pleasure is the pleasure he ad page ey ecuuterney ovis 1a an
53 pi ME ro tanst ‘They are the “mouth of the Soda” Seer eee ae Sonnet OF Hoda
54 medans in India been able to exclude the effects
55 i Ea : a have the Maho
56 ; © € caste system from their community, for, while in Turkey, Arabia
57 Sri Satguru J agjit Singh Ji eLibrary NamdhariElibrary@ gmail.com