CONTENTS

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CHAPTER I. IN THE VEDIC TIMES-

The Kâsis The Vedic hymns. - The Upanishads — The

ancient universities-The story of the Flood--Aryan ethics-

The story of Nachiketâ

I

CHAPTER II. THE HINDU EPICS-HERO-WORSHIP-

Vasishtha and Vishwâmitra--The caste system-The preser-

vation of Sanskrit learning—The Mahâbhârata and Râmâ-

yana—Hero-worship in modern times

CHAPTER III. THE ADVENT OF BUDDHA-SARNATH AND THE

LATEST DISCOVERIES-THE JAINS-

The points of dispute between Buddha and the Brahmin

priests-The tyranny of Brahminical rites--Buddha's preach-

ing at Sarnath--The Chinese pilgrims and their accounts of

Sarnath-The recently discovered Asoka column and Buddhist

sculptures-The story of the Deer-park-History of Jainism -

CHAPTER IV. THE RISE OF MODERN HINDUISM--

Asoka-The decline of Buddhism - The Hindu reformer

Sankaracharya - The Bhagavat Gita-Shiva-worship-The

esoteric doctrine of Hinduism regarding the universe-Hindu

philosophy and its comprehension by the masses—Shiva and

the lingam-Shiva in Hindu art

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CHAPTER V. IN THE CITY-

The sacrificial virtue of the city and environs-The up-to-date

Indian's transformation-The cantonment-Streets-Symbol-

ism of Hindu temples-The microcosm of Indian life--Art

industries-The dancing-girls-Story of Vajrasena and Syama

71

CHAPTER VI. ON THE GANGES-

The river at dawn and sunrise-Rites and ceremonies of the

bathers Ganges water-Funeral rites-The Dîwâlî festival

90

CHAPTER VII. THE GHATS-ASI SANGAM TO NEPALI GHAT—

Dasâsamedh Ghât--The Kâlî-puja — Sitala Ghât-Munshi

Ghât-Yogic exercises-Chauki Ghât--The pippal-tree-The

Aghoris Kedarnath Ghât-Shivâla Ghât and fort-Mud-

figures of Bhima-The tulasi plant-Man Mandil Ghât and

the observatory-The Nepalese temple -

CHAPTER VIII. THE GHATS--FROM MANIKARNIKA TO BARNA

SANGAM-

Scene at Manikarnika-The well-Scindhia Ghât-A camping-

ground for Sâdhus-Râm Ghât and Panchganga―The piazza

at Panchganga--A bed of spikes-A Vaishnavite nun

106

134

CHAPTER IX. THE TEMPLES AND SACRED WELLS-

The different classes of Hindu deities-Household worship-

The Durgâ temple-The Ahmêty temple-Annapurna temple

-Vishweshwar—The temple at Ramnagar—The Maharaja's

palace-Temple of Bhaironath-Ganêsha, the god of wisdom-

The well of Knowledge and the well of Fate-The Snake well

160

CHAPTER X. THE PANCH-TIRTH AND THE PILGRIMAGE OF

THE PANCH-KÔSI ROAD-THE PILGRIMAGE of the Soul—

The virtues of pilgrimages-The Panch-kôsi road and village

of Khandawa-Shradha ceremonies for the repose of the souls

of the dead

(B 488 )

186

CONTENTS

CHAPTER XI.

REMAINS OF OLD BENARES-A HINDU-MUHAM-

MADAN RIOT-A WEAVERS' COLONY-

The study of Indian sculpture and painting-Miniature stone

temples-Mosques built of materials from ancient temples-

The Lât Bhairo-Bakariya Kund -

CHAPTER XII. BENARES UNDER BRITISH RULE-

Chêt Singh and Warren Hastings-The murder of Mr. Cherry

-Influence of British rule-Benares and Neo-Hinduism

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Miniature Votive Shrine, excavated at Sarnath, 1905, showing the

sikra crowned by the amâlika ornament

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45

The Asoka Column, marking the place where Buddha began to preach. Discovered at Sarnath, 1905

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Buddha Preaching. Discovered at Sarnath, 1904

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Carving on the Dhamek Stupa

53

Excavations below Humayun's Tower, Sarnath, 1905

Shiva, as Natesa. From a bronze in the Madras Museum

Temple at Dasâsamedh Ghât

"Lighting up the recesses of the cave-like shrines"

A Sannyâsî's Water-Vessel

A Shivaite Rosary

"He will sit like a living Buddha, motionless"

The Burning Ghất

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