CONTENTS

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CHAPTER I. IN THE VEDIC TIMES-

The Kâsis-The Vedic hymns - The Upanishads -

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

The story of Nachiketâ -

The

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

17

32

58

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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

ers Ganges water-Funeral rites-The Diwali festival

bathers-

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

CHAPTER IX. THE TEMPLES AND SACRED WELLS-

-

The different classes of Hindu deities-Household worship—

The Durga 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

106

-

134

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

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 -

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199

CHAPTER XII. BENARES UNDER BRITISH RULE-

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

-Influence of British rule-Benares and Neo-Hinduism

(B 458)

210

P

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

sikra crowned by the amâlika ornament

43

Model of a Nepalese Buddhist Temple

45

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

47

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

69

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 Ghat