The Sacred City of the Hindus: An Account of Benares in Ancient and Modern TimesTrübner & Company, 1868 - 388 pages |
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Page 14
... deity , painted upon his forehead , to point him out . In his very gait and step you trace his claim to his superiority ; and , did we but know the thoughts dwelling in his mind , we should possess the real secret of his majestic ...
... deity , painted upon his forehead , to point him out . In his very gait and step you trace his claim to his superiority ; and , did we but know the thoughts dwelling in his mind , we should possess the real secret of his majestic ...
Page 42
... deities , or arrange them in rows in the temple en- closure . You may sometimes see twenty , fifty , and even a hundred of these idols in one place , many of which will perhaps receive as much homage as the god who is exalted to the ...
... deities , or arrange them in rows in the temple en- closure . You may sometimes see twenty , fifty , and even a hundred of these idols in one place , many of which will perhaps receive as much homage as the god who is exalted to the ...
Page 43
... deities of the temples , to throw them away . I recall to mind a remarkable instance of this . One day on entering the courtyard of the temple of Annpúrṇá , the goddess of plenty , my attention was arrested by an aged woman seated on ...
... deities of the temples , to throw them away . I recall to mind a remarkable instance of this . One day on entering the courtyard of the temple of Annpúrṇá , the goddess of plenty , my attention was arrested by an aged woman seated on ...
Page 44
... deity . In a letter on business , or on any other matter , the first word he invariably writes is the name of a god . Should he propose an engagement of im- portance , he first inquires the pleasure of the idol , and a lucky day for ...
... deity . In a letter on business , or on any other matter , the first word he invariably writes is the name of a god . Should he propose an engagement of im- portance , he first inquires the pleasure of the idol , and a lucky day for ...
Page 45
... deities . In short , idolatry is a charm , a fascination , to the Hindu . It is , so to speak , the air he breathes . It is the food of his soul . It is the foundation of his hopes , both for this world and for another . He is subdued ...
... deities . In short , idolatry is a charm , a fascination , to the Hindu . It is , so to speak , the air he breathes . It is the food of his soul . It is the foundation of his hopes , both for this world and for another . He is subdued ...
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Common terms and phrases
ANCIENT REMAINS antiquity architraves Asiatic Aśoka Bakaríyá Kund banks Bará Barna bass-relief bathe Bengal Bisheswar Brahmá Brahmans Buddha Buddhist building built called carved centre century chaityas Cheit Singh Christian Chunar city of Benares cloister deities distance divine Durgá edifice enclosure entire erected excavations existence feet in height festival figure five formerly four Gaṇeś Ganges goddess gods ground Hindu Hinduism Hiouen Thsang honour hundred idolatry idols images inches India inscription James Prinsep Jou-laï Káśí king large number Mahadeva Mahalla Manikarniká Melá miles Mohammedan monastery mosque native neighbourhood niche northern original ornamented persons pilgrimage pilgrims pillars portion present priests quadrangle Ráj Ghát Raja Raja of Nepal Rám Rámnagar regarded religion religious remarkable residence river road ruins Sangam Sanskrit Sárnáth sculptured side Siva small shrine spot square stairs stands stone Stupa tank temple terrace tower Vihára Vishnu wall Warren Hastings worship
Popular passages
Page 198 - I resolved," — these are the words of Hastings himself, — "to draw from his guilt the means of relief to the Company's distresses, to make him pay largely for his pardon, or to exact a severe vengeance for past delinquency.
Page 5 - Commerce had as many pilgrims as religion. All along the shores of the venerable stream lay great fleets of vessels laden with rich merchandise. From the looms of Benares went forth the most delicate silks that adorned the balls of St. James's and of Versailles, and in the bazaars the muslins of Bengal and the sabres of Oude were mingled with the jewels of Golconda and the shawls of Cashmere.
Page 5 - Benares, a city which in wealth, population, dignity, and sanctity, was among the foremost of Asia. It was commonly believed that half a million of human beings was crowded into that labyrinth of lofty alleys, rich with shrines, and minarets, and balconies, and carved oriels, to which the sacred apes clung by hundreds. The traveller could scarcely make his way through the press of holy mendicants and not less holy bulls.
Page 5 - It was commonly believed that half a million of human beings was crowded into that labyrinth of lofty alleys, rich with shrines, and minarets, and balconies, and carved oriels, to which the sacred apes clung by hundreds. The traveller could scarcely make his way through the press of holy mendicants and not less holy bulls. The broad and stately flights of steps which descended from these swarming haunts to the bathing-places along the Ganges were worn every day by the footsteps of an innumerable...
Page 5 - Hindus from every province where the Brahminical faith was known. Hundreds of devotees came thither every month to die ; for it was believed that a peculiarly happy fate awaited the man who should pass from the sacred city into the sacred river. Nor was superstition the only motive which allured strangers to that great metropolis. Commerce had as many pilgrims as religion. All along the shores of the venerable stream lay great fleets of vessels laden with rich merchandize.
Page 236 - Brahmani geese, while the two farther ones carry only single birds. Over the - nearest pair of geese, on the right hand of the figure, there is a frog. The attitudes of the birds are all good, and even that of the human figure is easy, although formal. The lotus scroll, with its flowing lines of graceful stalk, mingled with tender buds, and full blown flowers, and delicate leaves, is very rich and very beautiful.
Page 40 - Moreover, it is of great importance to bear in mind, that, as a man can hardly be better than his religion, the nature of the Hindu partakes of the supposed nature of the gods whom he worships. And what is that nature ? According to the traditions handed about amongst the natives, and constantly dwelt upon in their conversation, and referred to in their popular songs, which, perhaps, would be sufficient proof...
Page xxix - History of Bengal, p. 36. Elsewhere we read, that, " having broken the idols in above a thousand temples, he purified and consecrated the latter to the worship of the true God.
Page 189 - ... and an expression of sympathy with these holy mourners, would sufficiently comfort them, and give them an ostensible reason for returning to their usual employment. Accordingly, all the British functionaries went to the principal ghat, expressed their sorrow for the distress in which they saw them, but reasoned with them on the absurdity of punishing themselves for an act in which they had no share, and which they had done their utmost to prevent or to avenge.