TH E M YS TI C S , A S CE T I C S , A ND

SAI NTS OF I N D I A
B OO KS O N I NDI A AN D TI B ET .

S A N D B U RI E D-
RU INS O F K H O TA N . By M .

L N
A U R E S TE I , I n i n E u c i o n a S e rv i c e da d at l W i th o v e r 1 20

ll t at h t a F la g
.

I u s r i o n s a n d a P o og r v u re ro n t i s p i e ce an d r e M ap
Md l th
.

e i u m 8 vo , c o ,
2 15 n et . .

C LI M B I N G AN D E! L O R AT I O N I N T H E P
K A R A K OR A M H I M AL AYAS B y S i r W I LL I A M M A R T I N
CO N W A Y t
W i h 300 I u s ra i ons b y A D M CO R M I CK , a n d ll t t
.

th M l8 l th
. . .

wi ap s . On e V o l . s u p e r r o ya vo , c o , 3 1 5 6d . . net .

IN TH E I CE WORLD OF H I M A L AYA . By
B U L L O CK W O R K M A
FA N Nv and I IA M H U TE R N W LL N
WO RK M A Wi 4 arge N th
p s , a n d n e a r y 1 00 I u s ra l Ma l ll t
t l th al a dt
.

ions D e m y 8v o , c o , 1 6 s
. so 6 5 E i i on . . .

T HROU GH U N KN OW N
T I B E T By C pt i . a a n
M S W Wi t h P h t g
E L L BY d ma th I ll o o ravu r e an ny o er us

al M ap d App d i f Fl a M d i m 8
. . .

i
t ra t o n s , so s an en ce s o or e u vo,

l th i lt
.

c o g , 2 1 5.

IN T I B E T AN D C H I N E S E T U R KE S T A N B i g . e n
th R ed f T h Y a E pl a t i B C t i H H
e c or o re e e rs
’
x or on . y ap a n

Wi t h A p d i M d 8 I ll t a t i
. .

P D E A sv p en c e s, aps, an 0 us r o n s.

l th a l a Ch E d i ti 6
. .

D y 8
em vo, c o , 2 15. ne t ; so eap on , 5 . net .

I N D IA N RE L I GI O U S AN D S O C IAL By
L I FE , .

P f JO H N C M E LL OM N C w 8
ro e ss o r l th 6 A PB A . ro n vo , c o , 5 .

I n the S T O R Y O F TH E N AT I O N S
!
S e r i es ,

hV l l g
e ac w 8
o l th wi th m y I ll t t i 5
. ar e c ro n vo , c o ,
an u s ra on s , 5.

VE D I C I N D IA B y Z EN A I D E A RA G O Z I N . . .

B U D D H I S T I N D IA B y P ro fe ss o r R H YS D AV I D S . .

M E D L E VA L I N D I A U N D E R M O H A M M E D A N
Z

R U L E (A D 7 By P f . S TA N L Y L A N
. 12 r o e s so r E E

P OO L E .

B RI T I S H IN D IA . By R . W . FRAZ ER .

LO N D ON T : . FI S H E R U N VVI N .
T H E M YS TI CS , Asc
A N D S AI N T S O F I N D I A -

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I N DI A

WILL M M

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L O N DO N

T . FI S H E R U N W I N
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A S t udy S u d/z ui sm , w i th Account of t /z e

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JO H N CA M P B E L L O M AN
F O R M E R L Y P R O FE SS O R O F N A T UR A L SCI E N CE I N T HE G O VE R N M E N T C O L L E G E , L A H O RE

A U T H OR or
” !
I ND I A N L I FE , R EL I GI o u s A N D S O C I A L T HE G R EA T I N DI A N E PI CS
”
!
W HE R E T H REE C R E E Ds M E E T E T C.

WI TH I L L U S TR A TI ON S B T

WI L L I A M CA M P B EL L OM A N ,

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LO NDON

T . FI SH E R U N W I N
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B I OL OGI S TS t each th at t he b od ygofze v ery hu m an b e i n gzi s

an aggre g ati on o f v ari ou s an d i n n u m e rabl e p ro t o pl a s m ic
,

ce lls Which are e ver u n dergo i n g ch an ge s co n st ru ct ive an d

,

de s t ru ctiv e An d ye t we c an pl ai n ly s ee t h at e ach m an
.
,

th o u gh p erc e ptibly ch an gi n g with t he p assi n g y e ar s per ,

si st e n t l re t ai n s t o t h e en d a m ark e d i n divid u ality t o g e th e r

y ,

with c orp oreal an d m en t al ch aract eri s t ics p e c u li arly hi s

o wn . S O t oo is i t with e ach rac e o f m en an d t he
, ,

c om p arat ively short live d un its o f whi ch it is m ade u p

-
.

Of t he l atte r s om e are at e v er y m o m e n t of t i m e p assing

, , ,

aw ay an d givi n g pl a c e t o n e we r an d sligh t ly m odi fi e d

on e s ; b u t t he r a c e as a Wh ol e th ou gh th u s s t eadi ly
,

u n d e rg oi n g m u tati on — p e rh aps s u fi e ri n
g d e c ay —W ith t h e

fle e t in g c en t u ri e s still h olds fast c ert ai n physic al an d

,

psych ol ogical trai t s its sp e ci al h eritage an d p o ss e ssi on

, .

whi ch h ave i n t he p ast di fi eren t i at ed it from all o the r

r ac e s an d will con tinu e t o d o so as lon g as i t e n j oys a
!

se p arat e e xiste n ce .

Th u s it h app e n s that e ve ry disti n ct eth ni c di vi si o n o f

t he wo rld s
’
op u l atio n h as its own p e c u li ar id e als an d
p
 P R E F ACE
a spiration s its own phi l o s ophy an d religio n and als o its
, ,

o wn i n t e ll e ct u al an d m or al li m i t at i o n s .

O bvi ou sly th en n o thi n g c an b e m ore h elpful for t he

, ,

com p reh e n si on of t he history c on di ti o n an d prosp e cts of

, ,

p e opl e th an t h e discov e ry an d r e c o gn itio n o f thos e

an
y
s ali en t an d p er sis t en t h abi t s m en t al p e culi ariti e s an d
,

t e n d en ci e s which i t h as u ni n t erru pt e dl y e xhibi t e d th r o ugh

,

a l on g p e riod of ti m e .

Now t h e s t u dv of I n di an A sc e t icism an d M ys t icis m

a ffor ds ,
I b eli eve n ot on ly an admi rabl e b u t t he very
, ,

b e st m ean s of Obtaini n g s u ch d e si rab l e i n form at ion i n

r e g ard to t he g re at Hi n d u r ac e I h o p e t h e r e f or e t h a t
.
, ,

t he p re s en t vol u m e whi ch is co n c e rn e d wi t h t h e re s ul t s
,

o f t h e m o st d e e p s e at e d an d abidi n g id e as an d s en t im e n t s
-

o f t h e I n di an p e o pl e m ay n ot wi t hst an di n g i t s n e c e ss ary
, ,

i m p erfe cti on s m e e t wi t h app re ci at i on i n s om e qu art e rs at

,

l e ast an d h e lp t o i n te rp re t t he p e opl e o f I n di a t o th at
,

s e c t i on o f t he E n glish p u blic whi ch is m ore or l e ss , ,

i n t e re s t e d i n a li t tl e u n de rs t ood b u t m os t f asci nati n g

l an d with whos e f ort un e s are i rre vo c ably li n k e d for g o o d
, ,

or e vil ,
t he d e s t i n i e s o f G re at B ritai n an d t he A n gl o
S axo n rac e .

A t t he thre sh old I o u ght t o e xpl ai n t h at a d e scriptio n

o f t he p e c ul i ari t i e s an d m i n o r di fi e r e n ce s o f t h e i n n u m e r

abl e Hi n d u asc e tic s e cts an d su b s e cts h as n o t e n t e r e d

-

i n to m y pl an th ou gh all t he m ore i m p o rt an t s e ctari an

,

di visi on s h av e b e e n n o tic e d an d s u ch d e t ails as s e e m e d

,

e ss en ti al fo r t h e c om p re h en si on o f t h e wh ol e s u bj e ct h av e

n o t b een o mi tt e d .

A gr eat m an y cu rio u s m yt hs l e gen ds an d sto n e s , ,

ab o u t asc etics of v ario u s s e cts h ave b e en i n cl u d e d i n this

volum e ; b u t I m ak e n o apology on t his accoun t b e c aus e ,

s u ch m yths an d stori e s re v e al far b e tter th an an y diss erta

,

tio n s c oul d possibly d o t he t ru e n ature of I n di an as ce ticism

, ,

vi
 P RE F ACE
as well as t he i nt e lle c t u al l e ve l an d e t hic al ide als o f t he
Hin du s from t i m e s i m m e m ori al .

A word as t o t he pl an of t h e b o ok m ay p erhaps
b e acc e ptabl e I n t he fi rst pl ac e I sh ou ld s t at e th at
.
,

t hro u gh ou t t his v ol u m e t h e w or d sadlzu s t an ds as a

g en e ral n am e for an y Hi n du asc e tic m on k or reli giou s , ,

I n e n di c an t wi t h ou t re feren c e t o s e ct o r order ; an d faqu t r

'

as t he co rr e sp on di n g t e rm for a sc e t ics et c wh o p r o fe ss , .
,

I sl am The e arli er ch ap t er s (I t o I V ) are d es ign e d t o

. . .

acqu ai n t t h e r e ad er wi t h t h e l e adi n g or root ide as o f !

In di an asc et icis m or sadk u i sm as I call i t an d t o

, ,
,

i n tr o du c e hi m t o t h e sadhu s t h e m s e lv e s a s t h e y app e ar
at t he p re s e n t d ay O ld I n di an dram as an d t al e s an d
.

t he a cc ou n t s o f E uro p ean t rav e ll er s are dr awn u p on i n

Chap t er s V an d VI t o S h o w t hat sadhu i sm has b e en an

. .
,

an ci e n t an d p e rsis t en t f e at u r e o f I n di an life An d as .

H i n du asce ticism is n ot t o b e un d e rs t oo d wi t h ou t s om e
kn owl e dg e of t he p rin cipl e s which un d erli e t he phi losophi co
re ligi ou s id e as o f t h e B rah m an s t h e s e are s u cci n c t ly e x ,

pl ain e d i n Ch apter VI I an d s u ppl em en t e d with a b ri e f

.
,

s um m ary o f t he m odific ati on s which Hi n du ism has u n de r

g one i n t he p r ogre ss of its d e ve l op m en t t hrou gh m ore th an
a th ou s an d y e ar s .

I n C h ap t e r VI I I t he p ri n cip al asc e t ic s e cts an d t h ei r

.

su bdivisio n s are d e scrib ed t he Yogz s c om m on ly c all e d j ogt s

' '

, , ,

an d t he yoga sys t em r e c e ivi n g e sp e ci al at t e n t i on In .

Ch ap t e r s I ! t o ! I t he re ader is tak e n i n t o t he c om p an y
. .

of m an y s adhu s I h av e k n o wn an d wi t hin t h e p re ci n cts o f ,

a fe w o f t he m o n as t e ri e s I h av e visit e d Prob ably th e s e .

l ast n am e d ch apters m ay h elp t o b rin g E ur op ean reader s

-

i n t o actu al t ou ch as it were with sadhu i sm as i t e xists

, ,

t o d ay ; an d if s o I sh all n o t re gre t t h e t i m e an d t he
-
, ,

t r o u bl e by n o m e an s i n c on sid erabl e i n v olv e d i n c oll e ctin g

, ,

t he p articu l ar s which I h av e e m b odi e d i n th em

”

Vl l
 P RE F ACE

The c on cl u di n g ch apt er is d e vo t e d t o gene ral o bs e rva

t io n s u p on t he p as t e ffe cts ,
p re s e n t stat e an d f u t u re
,

p rosp e cts o f sadk u i sm .

Fo r all t h e ill u strati on s an d for m an y o f t he photo

g r aphs r e p rod u c e d i n this vol u m e I am i n deb t ed t o m
y
so n Mr Willi am C am pb ell O m an
. . .

J C
. . 0
.

L ON D O N .

vi i i
 CON TEN T S

PRE FAC E

I N TR ODU CTI ON

E arl y ll t i s f S dh u s d F q i s — T h y
Re c o ec on o d h v a an a u r e ar e an a e

al w ys ba spi u s Fi g u s i I di —M y b s
e e n c on v y
c ou re n n a a e een e er

wh w d i g v P l i
e re an d M u t i
er n th gh Ci t i s d
o er a n an o n a n, r ou e an

Ju gl — N i t h
n eeu d st d eppr i t d by E u p s
er n er oo n or a ec a e ro e an

Th y e f v i u s S t s h ld p uli
are o O pi i s d i d ulg i
ar o ec , o ec ar n on , an n e n

st g P t i s—Th v y S pi i t f t h E st i m b di d i t h
r an e r ac ce e er r o e a s e o e n e

S dh u
a

CHA P TE R I

A S C E T I C IS M : I TS O RIG IN AN D D E VE L OPM EN T

Asc et i ci sm a c om m on Fe a t u re in all lg
R e i i on s —Id s ea un d e r lyi g n

As s m —S i fu l s Th D t i t h t M t te i i
ce t i ci n ne s- e oc r n e a a r s n h t ly
e re n

b d —Th B l i f t h t t h H u m
a e e B dy i t h g t Hi d
e a e an o s e re a n r an c e

to t h At t i m e t by t h S u l f i t p p
a n en D ti y A ti e o o s ro er es n m
s ce c

P ti s
r ac d t h C di t i
ce , an s g g phi l p li t i l d s i l
e on on , eo ra ca , o ca , an oc a ,

whi h cm st f v
are bl t t h i d p t i by l g p p
o a ou r a e o e r a o on a ar e ro or

ti on f y Co m m u i
an t y —T h E x ios t f s u h Co d
n i t i s i e e n ce o c n on n

I di f m t h
n a li s t u p t
ro t tim s
e e ar e o re ce n e

CHA P TE R II

S OME P E CULIA R AN D I S T IN CTI E CHARACTE RI S T IC S D V OF

H IN D U A S C TI CI S M E

Hi n du I d e a of t he u n b ou d e d P o w
v N t u t t i bl t h ugh
n er o er a re a a na e ro

A s t i P t i s—Th R t i l f t hi s N t i —E x m pl s f
ce c r ac ce e a on a e o o on a e o

P w o qui d by A s t i i sm i t d f m t h M h bh t t h
e r ac re ce c c e ro e a a ar a a , e

R m ya tha Siv Pu
an a , d th e Vi sh u P ua —Th r an a, an e n r an a e

S u p m B i g H i m s lf p
re e t i s s A u s t i t i s —R i v l y f S t
e n e r ac e er e a r o eo s

gi v s i s t L g ds f C fl i t s b s d
e r e o e en s u e ssful A s ce t i
o on c , a e on cc c

P ti s b t w
rac ce i val Le d s —Ti t i C fli t b t w
e een r V a er an c on c e ee n a

shi sh t d Vi m it
a an ls b t w N k d t h S i dd h s
sv a r a, a o e ee n an a an e a

Hi du A n t i i sm h u u lly
sc e cl t i t o E t hi s
as s a n o re a on c
 C O NTE N TS

C HA P T E R I II

S ADHU S BE FOR E TH E P U B LI C A T FA IR S AN D E LS WH R E E E

P AGE

S ad hu s as s s—T h i D ss—S t M k s d t h i E xpl

ee n at F ai r e r re ec ar an e r an a

ti on— H i d e ss i g —R s i s —V i u s O
ar r nm ts d th i o ar e ar o rn a en an e r

Sig ifi n —S d h u s A lm s b wl s T gs A m s t s Ch s
c an ce a
’
-
o , on , r -
re , ar a ~

p i p s B h g m t s t —H m i t g s—A s t i P t i s f
e , an -
or ar , e c . er a e ce c r ac ce o

v i u s Ki ds d D g s—Mi
ar o n A s t i i s m s—P s t u i gs
an e re e n or ce c o r n !

St g P ifi t y Ri t s
r an e ur ca or e

CHA P TE R IV

TH E W O N D E RS THAT P RE S E N T DAY S ADHU S -

AN D FA Q UIRS
AR E S A I D T O P E R F O R M

Vi i on i t l i k e t he S an a i R am ak r i n a—S a
s ss sh y s
dhu s t s m x t t wh t o o e e en a

t he Mg s
a i c i an an d N s h v ls wh b —T l s d
e c r o m an c er a e e e ere een a e an

A d s sp f
n e c o t e o f t h e Won d e r d by dh u s d f C l m i t i s
e r or m e Sa an o a a e

b ught
ro v t d by t h m —T s m u t t i
on or a er e f M t ls by e r an a on o e a

S ad h u s —S t y f Mu sli m T h u m t u g i s t wh w t h D i s i pl
or o f a a r o as e c e o

a S d h u—Cl i m s f S u p i i t y v
a a S dh u s m d by F qu i s
o e r or o er a a e a r

St g T t m t f F qui by
r an e re a en R li g i o i s t —S dh u s
o a a r a c o- e n a as

Phys i i s P lm i s t s F t
c an , t ll s
a d A , b ts or u n e - e er , an cro a

CHA PTE R V

S OME G LIM P SE S OF S ADHU S IN IN D IAN FI CTI O N

Ei gh t S t or i e r oms fam o u S an k r i tfr am a s
an d o t e r S o ur c e s D s h s
M
( 1) S ak oon t al a ; (2) al at i an d Mad h a v a ; (3 ) i i u i on m e n t D s ll s ;
d sh
(4 ) The H orn e R i i ; (5) The o t S on re t ore ; ( 6 ) in l s s d AK d
h e ar t e Lad dy
(7 ) Th e F a t er u e (8 ) Wo m an Cunn i n
’
h d pd s g

CH A P T ER VI

S AD U S R As D E S CRI B E D BY S OME EU R OP E AN VISITOR S TO IN D I A

Gre e k an d R o m an u n t s of S ad hu s an d t he i r Pr act i ce s— O bse rv a
A cco

t i on s re g ar di n g S ad h u s an d t h e ir Pe c u li a i t i e s re c o de d i n t he r r

Work s o f t he Je we lle r Taverni e r t he Phys i ci an Be rni e r t he , ,

S e ni or Me c h an t J am e s F or b e s t he Mi ss i on ar y Ward Co lo n e l
r , ,

S le e m an , an d Bi sh p o He b er
 C O N T EN T S

C HA P T E R VI I

A VI E W S UCCE SSIVE PHA S E S OF MOD E RN H IN DUIS M AN D

OF TH E
O TH E O R I G IN OF
F H E MO R E IMPO R T N T H IN D U S E CT S IN T A ,

RE LAT IO N TO TH E D E VE LOPM N T OF S A DH U I S M I N IN D IA E

P AGE
S E CT ION I .
—S om e fun d am en t al D o ct ri n e s of Hi n du Th e olo gy : Mya
P an t h i s m —M
e etem psy h si s —K
c o ar m a

CHA P TE R VI I —con ti n u ed

S E CTI O N II . d ui s m —P i i p l Di vi si s—Th S i i t
—M o d e r n Hi n r nc a on e v e

R f me or S k A h y —H i C u s d g i st B ud dhi sm
er , an ara c ar a s r a e a a n

S k t i W sh i p —M h m u d O f G i su ssful I v si f I di ’
a or a o uz n s cc e n a on o n a

—I sl m s t i m u l t i g F t i t h O i gi t i
a a a f w d iv l
n a c or n e r na on o ne an r a

Siv d Vi shnu S t s—Th P u s —R m j C m p i g ’

a an ec e r an a a an u a s a a n

g i st S i v i s m B s v
a a n d h i D t i s —K i sh
a -
W shi p
a a a an s oc r n e r na or

p h d by M dh
r e ac e h y H i T h l gi l Vi ws R m
a av ac ar a u
s eo o ca e -
a a

n and p hs t B r e ac s t h W shi p f R m
e a d Sit e n ar e e or o a a an ar

T d y t w ds A t h p m ph i sm i t h l t S t s
en en c o ar n ro o or n e a er ec

CHA PT ER VI I —con ti n u ed

S E CT I O N III .
—
Mode rn pe uli D e m oc r at i c Re f or m e r s —K b i r a , hi s c ar

an d imp t t p si t i R f m —V ll b h h y s t s u p
or an o on as a e or er a a ac ar a e

t h W s hi p f K i s h
e or B l C p l —Ch i t y t h Myst i
o r n a as a a o a ar a an a e c

p h s t h W shi p f K i sh
re ac e m R dh — B b N
e or k d o r n a cu a a a a an a an

hi T hi g—Th S i k hs D d u
s e ac d hi S t —R m Ch
n de -
a an s ec a arn an

th R m Se hi s f u d d by hi m —Th R jp ut P i ss Mi b i
a an c o n e e a r n ce ra a

a D v t f K i sh —Th T d f L t t d y H i dui sm —B i f
e o ee o r na e re n o a er - a n r e

S um m y ar .

CHA P TE R VI I I
H IN DU A S CE TI C S E CT S AN D TH E IR SU D I IS I ON S
B V

S E CTION I —I n t r od u c t ory R e m ar k s—The M l t ipli i t y f Hi du S t s

u c o n ec

l—J
.

by no m e an s Ab n or m a ai n M k s Y t i i t v i w d —T h i
on or a a n er e e e r

O pi ni on s an d Ha i t b s

C HA P T E R VI I I — con ti n u ed

S E CTI O N II .
—
Pri n c i p al
Hi n du S e ct s S i v s V i shn v s a a , a a a , an d Sik hs
P ar t i c ul ar re ar di n S an a i
-
s g g y s s D di s P m h n , an , ar a a a sas, B h ra

m ach ari s, Li n gai t s, an d A o ri gh s

 C O NT E NTS

CH AP TE n VI II —con t i n u ed
PAGE

S E CT I O N III —Yogi s an d Yoga V i d y a —

. Yogi s at t r ac t i n g a t te n t i on
i n t he We s t — Phi l os o phi c o re li gi o u s I de as u n de rlyi n g Yo gai sm
-

E m an c i p at i o n o f d u li g i u s
t he S o ul t he s u pre m e O bj e c t of Hi n re o

A spi t i raY g Vi dy t h s h w U i f t h i d i vi d u l S u l
on - o a a e ac e o n on o e n a o

wi t h t h A ll S pi i t m y b
e m pli sh d —D t i ls
-
r d p b bl a e acc o e e a an ro a e

O i gi f t h D i s i pl i
r n o d P ti s f Y g Vi dy —Th P
e c n e an r ac ce o o a a e re

ten si s f t h m d Y gi s —H i s t y Cu s t m s d R ul s f
on o e o e rn o or ,
o , an e o

t h Y gi S t
e o ec

CH A PTE R VI I I —con t i n u ed

S E CT I O N IV .
-
Vai shn av a S e c t s sh v s
S ri Va i n a a , Ma d h av as , R am an
an d i s K bi , a r P an t h i s , B all av ach arya s , an d Ch ai t an i t e s

CHA PT ER VI I I —con t i n u ed

S E CT I O N V .
—Thre e S ik h M di en c an t O rder s : U d as i s, Ni rm ali s, A k li sa 19 4

CHA PTE R I!

P E RS O NA L E! P E RI E N C E S WITH S ADHU S , c oo n AN D B AD

l . wi gi g B i gi 2 Th S y si S w m i B h k
Th e S n n a ra d f . . e an a a as ar an an a o

B s 3 G bD
e n ar e U d h b h B i gi
. . 4 A Y gi wh
ar e e a s , an r a a u a ra . . o o

p t te d A m i t s f m t h Pl gu 5 A B h m h i f m t h
ro e c r ar ro e a e . . ra ac ar ro e

T m i l C u t y 6 A S dh u f E p D s t t S i ml 7 A
a o n r . . a o u ro e an e ce n a a . .

N k d S y si d hi C m p i
a e an P i ss f B
a an 8 A s o an on , a r n ce o .

S dh u f R y l Li
a g P i B i B h u S i gh 9 A S dh u
o o a nea e, r n ce r an n . . a

wh h d f u d G d
o 10 A S
a w shi pp i g B i gi l l Y gi s
o n o . . un - or n a ra . . o

d Pi u s W m
an 12 A ps u d S dh u
o d hi A dv t u s
o en . . e o- a an s en re .

13 Y gi Gu s t s
. o14 A S dh u R st u t u
e 15 A S i t i
. . a as e a ra e r . . a n n

Ch i s a n

CH APT E R !

S OM E S A DH VI S OR F E MA LE DE VOTE E I

l . A p u bli c Le c t ure r , S ri m at i P an d i t a Mai Ji van Muk ut 2 S hri M aj i . .

,

t he R e c l Ann an d gu ph au se of . 3 . Pr e m i a y o u n g S adh i wh o
, v

b
e m race d C r i ti an i t h s y
 L I ST OF I L L U S T R AT I ON S

HIN DU A S C TI C S E .
'

F r on ti s pz ec e

1 . A BA G I AN D H
I RA IS H E RM I TA G E F ac i ng page 42

2 . SADHU S H OM AT E

3 AN U R DH A MU KH I SADHU
4 FA Q UIR W IGHT D WI TH H A Y CHAINS
E E E V

5 . SADHU S IN AR I OU S V D P O S T UR S
P B E S CRI B E E

6 HI ND U A S C TI C S UN D RG O ING AU S T R IT I S
E E E E . R EP R O
DUCT I O N O F AN O D I LLU S TR AT I O N L

7 . A SO LI TAR Y

8 . PR OC SS I ON IN H ON OUR O F H V ILING O
E T E E E A JAIN

9 . SANYA S I S AT A R E LI G I O U S GATH E RI NG
10 A YO
. G I FR OM MIR Z AP UR
11 . TH E S ANYA S I B A S H AR AN AN DA O F B N A R S
H E E

12 . A S ADHU O F E UR OP E AN D S C N T E E

13 . A S ANYA S I AN D A S AN YA S I N WI TH TH E IR COMPAN I O NS

14 . A S ADH U O F P R IN C L Y L N A G E I E E

15 . A S N WO RS HI PP ING B A IR A G I
U -

16 . TH ES DH VI S RIMAT I P AN D I TA M
A J A N MU K U T AI IV

17 . TH E MO N A S T E RY O F JOG I T ILLA

18 . GRA VE S O F Y O G I MA H AN TS AT B H IR O N KA THAN A - -
,

N E AR LAHO R E
TH E M YS T I C S , A S C E T I CS , AN D

SA INT S OF IN DIA

E ar ly R eco ll d u s d F quir s—Th y

e c t i on s of Sa h an a e

ar e and h v lw ys b spi u u s Fi g u s
a e a a e en Con c o re

i I di —M y b s
n n a v ywh w d i g a e een e er e re an er n

ov Pl i er d M u t ian t h u gh Ci t i s
an d o n a n, ro e an

J gl —N i t h
un u d st d
es epp i t d er n er oo n or a re c a e

by E u p s—Th y ro f v i
e an s S ts e are o ar o u ec ,

h ld p uli O pi i s d i dulg i st g
o ec ar n on , an n e n r an e

P t i s — Th
r ac v y S pi i t f t h E s t i
ce e er r o e a s

em b di d i t h S dh u
o e n e a .

LI NGE RI N G i n t he far b a ckgrou n d of m y m e m ory is a Vivid

pi c t ure o f c ert ain s adhu s an d o f a wi n t e r e ve ni n g lon g
,

—
years ago o n t h e b an ks o f t he s acre d G an ge s a pic t u r e
whi ch t he l aps e o f o v er h alf a c e n t u ry h as n ot b e e n abl e
t o di m m u ch l e ss t o o bli t e r at e
,
.

Cle ar t hou gh t h e pict u re is I alm o s t f ail at t his ,

dis t an ce of t im e t o ful ly iden t i fy m ys elf wi t h i t an d ye t ,

I cert ai nl y t o ok p art i n t he li t t l e e pi s o de which i s

en shr i n e d i n m y r e c oll e ct i on s Wi t h t he m i n d s e ye I
’
.

see t wo chi ld re n a gi rl an d a b oy r am bli n g h an d i n

, ,

h an d at s om e di s t an c e from t h ei r d e ar ol d h o m e h ard by
t h e s u nn y hills o i C o lg on g an d as t h e y w an d e r b ack
'
'

t o ge t h e r t h r ou gh t h e fi elds i n t he q u ickly d e e p e ni n g
A I
TH E MYS T I CS AS CE T I CS AN D SAI N T S , , OF I NDIA
t wili ght f e elin g o f tre pid at i on s e em s to t ak e p o ss e ssion
a

o f t hem for i n f an ts tho u gh th e y are th e y k n ow f u ll

, , ,

1 —
well th at m u rd e ro u s thugs a f e ars o m e n am e i n th o s e
—
d ays i n f e s t e d t he coun tryside Th ei r eye s s t rai n wi t h .

an xi e t y t o wards t h e di m o u t li n e s o f ig an t ic b an i an
a g
tre e which s e rv e s t h e m as a ho m e war d l an dm ark ; b u t
it s eem s v ery far away an d e v e n re ce di n g as a thi n , ,

v e il o f Whi te sm ok e st eals gradu ally ov e r t he l an dsc ap e

i n t he r apidly f aili n g t wilight S u dd e nl y two g aun t .

s adhus app e ar n o t t en y ar ds o ff b e f ore t he asto nishe d

childre n S o u n exp ect ed is t h eir p re s en c e s o u n ac coun t
.
,

abl e t h e app ari t io n t h at i t was as if t he u n w elc o m e

,

i n t ru d er s h ad S p ru n g u p ou t o f t he g rou n d b e n e ath th ei r
o wn f e e t Cl ot h e d i n s alm o n c ol oure d rob e s are th es e
.
-

m e ag re sh arp fe ature d sadhu s wi t h cl ean sh aven h eads

,
-
,
-

an d f ac e s Th ey adv an c e an d wi t h s of t w ords an d
.
,

i n sinu ati n g s m il e s e n deav ou r t o en tic e t h e st artl e d

chi ldr en t o app roach t h em offe ri n g wi t h v ari ou s all u ri n g , ,

p ro mi s e s t o sh ow th em t he wo n d erful c on t e n ts of t he
,

u gly w all e ts which h ang fro m th eir sho u lders G o od .

L or d ! h ow t h e li t t l e boy an d gi rl did ra c e t ow ards t h e

riv er wh e n all at o n c e th e r e fl a sh e d u p o n th ei r m in ds t h e

h orribl e s u spici on th at t he m e n b e f ore t he m might possibly

be vill ai n ou s thu gs disg uis e d as s adhu s ! H ow re j oic e d
were t h e chi ldr en t o fi n d t h em s e lve s at l ast s afe am on gst
t he w on d eri n g an d sym p ath e t ic b o atm e n on t h e riv er
b an k af t er a bre athl e ss run acro ss c ou n try an d afte r
, ,

wh at s e em e d a ho t p u rs uit th ou gh p rob ably it was so ,

onl y i n th e i r o wn e xci t e d i m agi n ati on s !

B el on gi n g t o t h e s am e e arly p e ri od o f m y life I re c ol
l e c t we ll t he hi ghly pictu re squ e rocks of C olg on g standi n g ,

like b old i n t rud ers i n t he n obl e rive r wi t h t he faqu i r s ’

,

l on e h e rm i tage p er ch e d ami ds t th eir gig an tic b ou lde rs .

M an y t al e s o f w o n de r w ere t old o f t he r e cl u s e wh o dwel t

am on gst th o s e c r ags ; an d wh e n e ve ry y e ar i n d u e s e as o n , ,

t h e r o cks an d t h e h e rmi t ag e w e re c om pl e t e ly c u t o ff f rom

t h e rive r b an k by t h e m ighty fl o o d r oari n g f re t ti n g an d , , ,

1
The thu gs ar e a s
s t v t i s f t h g dd ss K li b
e cr e t ec , o ar e o e o e a , an d e d
t g th
o ef t h pu p s
er or f bb y by m s f ld bl d d s ssi
e r o e o ro er e an o co -
oo e a sa n a t i on s
p p t t d wi t h li gi u s i t s d d
er e ra e li gi u s s t i s
re o r e an un er r e o an c on .
 I N T R O D U CT I O N
sw r i li n g aro u nd t he un we lc om e b arri er t he on e in h ab itan t ,

o f thos e d e s ol at e isl an d s t he isol ate d fagu i r t he soli tary

, ,

won der work e r woul d b e com e to u s littl e folks an i nt ere st

-
,

i n g s u bj e c t of s olicit u de an d childish sp e cul ation .

Ou t of t hat old I n di a so di fferen t so re m ot e i n e ve ry , ,

way from t he pl ayg roun d of t he pre s en t day wi n t e r t ouris t -

,

I re call to m in d a l on g j o urn ey by p alan qui n dd k a h al t

!

un der so m e sh a dy t ree s i n a straggli ng th atch e d vi ll ag e ,

an app are n tly d y

’
i n g i nfan t i n m y m other s arm s an d a ,

whi t e b eard e d faqm r wi t h m an y strin gs o f b eads abo u t

'

his n e ck, o fferi n g s om e m e dicin e con tain e d i n a m u sse l ,

’ ’
shell which wi t h Al l ah s bl e ssin g w ou ld s ave t he child s
, , ,

life . I re c all to m i n d als o how so m e hou rs l ater t he

venerab l e old m an re sp e ctful ly b u t firm ly de cli n e d a
, ,

h an dful of ru p ee s an d i n d e e d any re war d wh ate ver for

, , , ,

t he h e lp whi ch All ah had gra cio u sly e n abl e d hi m to affor d

t he di stre ss e d m o th er an d h er sick i n fan t .

E ver si n c e t h o s e n ow far o ff d ays t he I n dian asce tics

-
-

h ave b e en t o m e o bj e c t s of sp e ci al c u ri o sity an d i n tere st ,

n ot di m i ni sh e d i n m atu r e r y e ar s by m or e e xt en siv e k n o w

l edge of th em an d their stran ge b e li e fs p ractic e s an d , ,

pre t e nsion s .

S adhu s are an d h ave always b ee n too c on spic u o u s

figur e s i n I n di a t o e sc ap e t he n otic e of any i n t e lligen t
E u rop e an travell e r i n t h at c o u n r —
t y from Megast hen es
t o M ark Tw ai n an d Pi erre L o ti an d th e ir a c c en t u at e d -

o u twar d p e c uli ari t i e s h ave p r ove d so att ract ive t o t h e

u biqu i t ou s m od ern c am e r a m an th at his ph o t o graphs an d -

sn apsho t s rep ro du ce d i n p opu l ar pictori al m ag azi n e s h ave

m ad e th e m at l east i n th ei r m o re u n co u th fo r m s f ami li ar
, ,

t o t he We stern w orld .

Wherever at t he p re s en t tim e t he t ou rist i n I ndi a

m ay go h e m e e ts sadhus an d faqu i rs i n t he gu is e o f o n e
,

o r o t h er of t he m an y e xisti n g s e cts ord e r s or f rat e rn i t i e s , , .

He c om e s a cr oss t he m i n t he b u sy m art i n t he qu i e t gro v e ,

by t he river i n t he gay an d crowde d f ai r on t he l on ely

, ,

hi ll track an d i n t he d en s e f ore sts wh er e m an y p eri sh

, ,

mi s erably d evo u r ed by wild b easts

, I nde fatigabl e ro vers .
,

t h e y u su ally d o n ot li n g er l on g i n an y o n e pl ac e b u t are ,

e ve r on t he m ov e like th eir gi psy ki n dr e d i n t he We s t

, .
 TH E M YS T I CS AS CE T I CS AN D SA I N T S
, , OF I ND I A
Fro m ab ou t N o vem b er wh en t he a u t u m n h arve s t
,

is g ath ere d an d t he s e e d for t he spri n g crop co m m i t te d

t o t he s oil t ill M ar ch wh en t h e fi rst f rui ts o f t h e y ear
, ,

are re a dy fo r t h e sickl e t h
,
e n —
Hi du s m e n w om e n an d , ,

childre n — sp en d m u ch o f t h ei r t i m e i n j oy ou s pilgri m age s

t o t h ei r i n n u m erabl e s ac re d pl ac e s s om e t i m e s hu n dre ds
,

o f m il e s aw ay f r om h o m e H ardl y i n de e d c ou ld i t b e
.
, ,

o t h e r wis e ,
for a cl ou dl e ss sky a crisp e xhil ar at i n g at m o
,

sph e re an d b ri gh t g e ni al s u n shi n e c all t h e m f ort h wi t h

,

a s u m m on s th at is i rre sis t ibl e D u ri n g t his p eri od e v e ry

.

y ear t h ere is a liv ely an d h e al t hy ci r cul a t i on t hrou gh o u t

t h e l an d o f all r an ks an d cl ass e s an d i n t h e s e c u rr e n ts o f
,

life a l arg e p r o p ort i on o f t he s adhu s f u lly p art icip at e ,

o ft e n m o vi n g a b o u t f r om pl ac e t o pl ac e i n c o n side rabl e
p arti e s un der l e aders an d t e ach e rs o f re p u t at i on An d .

far b e y on d t h e b ou n d ari e s o f t h e i r o wn v as t c o u n t r y d o
t h e Hi n du as c e t ics w an d e r a s i n d e e d t h e y h av e d on e
,

si n c e r e m ot e an t iqu i t y c arryi n g t o di s t an t l an ds t h ei r
,

s u b t l e S p e cul ati on s ab ou t t he o rigi n n at u re an d d e s t i n y o f

, ,

m an an d t h e u ni v e r s e t o which h e b e l on gs .

A s a r ul e s adhu s are c au t i ou sly r e t ic en t b u t t h e y m ay ,

o cc a sio n all y b e i n d u c e d t o t ell o f l on g w an d e ri n gs an d

s t r an ge e xp eri en c e s I h av e m e t s om e o f t h em i n K ash m i r
.

o n t h e i r way f r o m P u ri by t h e B ay o f B en g al t o t h e l o n e

i ce c av e s o f Am arn at h an d i t n e e d n o t b e d o u b t e d th at
-
,

m e n wh o r an g e t h e wh ol e I n di an P eni n s u l a a s t h e s e d o , ,

an d w an der o v e r t h e e t ern al s n o ws o f Him al ay a fi n d ,

f oo d for l o fty t h o u gh t an d d e e p e m o t i on i n t he m ys t e ry
an d g ran d e u r o f t h e sc e n e s whi ch o f t e n m e e t t h e i r g az e .

I n di an p o e t s e arly appre ci at e d t he aes t he tic ch arm s o f

n at u r e an d t h e s o o t hi n g c al m o f s ol i t u d e ; a n d we m a
y
b e s u re t h at e v e n t h e u n s o ci al s adhu i n hi s j o u rn e yi n gs
am o n gs t t he gi an t m o un t ai n s l o oks wi t h w on d e ri n g
a d m i rat i o n u p o n t h e v ag u e n e ss a n d i n sc r u t ab i li t y o f t h e i r

wayw ar d m o o ds t h eir vas t si l en t sn o wfi eld s t h ei r whi sp e r

, ,

i n g rills an d f u ri o u s t orr e n t s
,
I t is i m p o ss i bl e fo r an y
.

m an n o t t o e xp eri en c e a n i n d e fi n ab l e f e e li n g o f e l at i on o f ,

b u oy an cy as h e b r e at h e s t he p u re ligh t pi n e sc en t e d ai r
, , ,
-

o f t h e high er m ou n t ai n r an g e s an d w at ch e s t h e risi n g s u n
,

p ai n t wi t h ro sy fl u sh t h e i cy pi n n acl e s arou n d hi m ; n or
4
T H E M YS T I CS AS C E T I CS AN D SAI N T S
, , OF I NDIA
S adhus we fi n d the m are of vario u s cts
h old ‘

as se ,

p e culi ar opi ni on s i n d ul ge i n stran ge practic es ,

, an d s u bj e c t

the m s elve s i n m an y c as e s to cru el h ardships an d fan tastic

disciplin e s . Th e y com e f ro m all ran ks o f life an d from all
t he h ere ditary c ast e s i n to which H i n d u s o ci et y is divid e d .

Am o n gst th e m we fi n d all sh ad e s of reli gi ou s Opinio n an d

phi l o s ophic al sp e cul at ion an d di e t ary h abits ran gi n g from
,

t he m o st fastidi o u s v e ge t ari anis m to r e vol t i n g c an n ib alis m

i n t he c as e o f t he e gr egio u s agho ms d e scrib e d l at er on
'

Th o u gh e xc ee di n gly n u m ero u s t he I n di an s adhus c om

,

m an d t he re sp e ct an d e ve n t he s u p e rstiti ou s v en e r at i on
o f t he v as t m ul t i t u d e o f t h e i r co u n tr ym en wh o b e li e ve
,

t h at t h e y are o fte n if n ot always p o ss e ss e d o f al m ost

, ,

u n li mi t e d s u p ern at ur al p o w e r for g o od o r e vil .

Th e co m m on p ro verb Gervi Kapron se fogt n aht n hota

' ’

, ,

a tt e sts t he f a c t th at t h e I n di an s q uite as m u ch as E u ro
,

p e an s ar e w ell aware t h at t he h abit do e s n ot m ak e t he

,

m on k an d s t ori e s t o t he disc re di t o f t h e re ligio u s asc e t ics

,

are curr e n t all o v er I n di a ; b u t th e y h ave n o t sh ak en

t he f ai t h o f t h e p e opl e i n t h e sadhu s at an y r at e n o t m ore
,

t h an t h e t al e s ab ou t t he g aily i m m oral b e h avio ur o f t he

m e di aev al m o n ks h a ve i n j u ri ou sly affe ct e d t he p o si t i o n o f
t he R o m i sh cl e rgy .

I n t he an ci en t l e gisl atio n of I n di a t he sadhu b u lks l arge ly ,

an d he has a u n iqu e pl a c e i n t h e r o m an t ic t al e s of m or e

r e c e n t d at e The v e ry spi rit o f t he E ast is e m b odi e d i n

.

t h e s adhu an d i t is p e rh aps n ot too m u ch t o ass ert th at

,

he is so i m po rt an t a f e at u re i n t he lif e an d civili s at i on o f
I n di a t h at a stu dy o f hi s ch aract e ris t ics an d hi s rel at io n s
to t h e ge n e ral p op ul ati on will n ot o nly affo rd c on sid erabl e
ligh t for t he c om preh en sio n of t he I n di an p e opl e as t h e y
are, an d h av e b e e n si n c e t he e arli e st hi sto ric t i m e s but ,

wi ll als o p erh aps b e f oun d t o h ave at t ra c t io n s o f an e ve n

, ,

wid e r an d m ore g e n eral n ature .

 CH A PTE R I -

A SC E TI CI S M : I TS O RI GI N AND DEV EL OP M E N T

As ce t i c i sm a c om m o n s—I d s u de lyi g A sc t i i sm
Fe at ure i n all R e i i on lg ea n r n e c
-
S i f u l ss —
n Th D t i
ne t h t Mat t i i h et ly b d —Th B l i f
oc r n e a er s n e re n a e e e

t h t t h H um
a B dy i t h g t Hi d
e an t t h At t i m
o t by t h
s e re a n r an ce o e a n en e

S ul f i t p p
o o D st i y—As t i Pr t i es d t h C di t i s
s ro er e n ce c , ac c , an e on on ,

g g phi l p li t i l d s i l whi h
eo ra ca , o m s t f v ur bl t t h i
ca , an oc a , c ar e o a o a e o e r

Ad pt i by l g P p t i f y Com m i t y—Th E xi s t
o on a ar e ro f or on o an un e e n ce o

su h C di t i i I di f m t h
c on li s t u p t
ons n t Ti m s
n a ro e e ar e o re cen e .

CE TI CI S M
is a c o m m on f e at u re i n
all r e ligi o u s s s t e m s an d is t h e
y ,

p rac t ic al e xp re ssi on of c ert ai n

de fini t e ph as e s o f religi ou s
s en t i m en t an d phi l o s o phic al
sp e cul ati on Pro b ably .

t h e e arli e st p rom p t i n gs
t o w ar ds a sc e tic p ractic e s
c am e from a de sire o f
s elf hum i li ati on b e f ore
t he U n s e e n P owe r s i n ,

ord er t o p r opi t i ate th em an d t o m ak e at on em en t for ,

n e gl e ct e d du t i e s an d con se qu en t ly i n t i m e s o f great
1
, , ,

n at i on al t ro u bl e s wh en t he p rote cti n g go ds s e e m t o h ave

,

t u rn e d aw ay i n w rat h a sc e t ic p ractic e s b e co m e m ore ,

com m on wi d e spre ad an d i n t en s e till som e t i m e s wh ole

, , ,
!

com m un i t i e s s e em t o b e s m i t t en by a m ani a for s elf

ab as e m e n t s elf i m p o s e d h ar dshi ps an d s e ve r e au st e ri t i e S
,
-
2
,
;

1
The s m f li g
a e ee n d f s lf
i s m ani ifi f st
e in t he C h i st ir an i ea o e -
sac r ce

an d th e Ch i s t i
i
r d t
t h t i t i t h u gh s u h s
an oc r n e ifi t h t God v ls
a s ro c ac r ce a re ea

Hi m se lf i n m —C i d s E l uti
an .
f
”
R l i gi n l
ar i i p 2
’
58 vo on o e o , vo . . . .

Th 2
u s whi h f v u d t h d v l pm t f s cet i i sm m gst t h
e ca se c a o re e e e o en o a c a on e

Ch i st i s f t h p i m i t i v Ch h w ll st t d i P ss s e s H i t ’
! ’

r an o e r e u rc are e a e n re eu s o z re

d T i P mi
es ro s S ie l re Q t i é m S
er sé i pp 523 —39 c es , ua r e r e, . .
T H E MYS T I C S AS CE T I C S A N D S AI N T S OF I ND I A
, ,

S i m il ar s l t s are als o s om et im e s p ro du c e d wh en i n t en s e
re u

r e ligio u s e xcit e m en t h as aw ak e n e d t h rilli n g e xp e ct at i o n s ,

a s i n t he e arly C h u r ch wh en en t i r e c on g r e g at io n s b e li e vi n g
, ,

t he e n d o f all e ar t hl y t hi n gs t o b e i m m i n e n t g av e u p t h e i r ,

p oss e ssion s an d re t i re d t o t he d e s ert t o awai t t he s e c on d

A dve n t o f t he L ord ; an d as i n d e e d th at p e cu li ar s e ct
, , ,

t h e R u ssi an D ou kh ob or s h av e d on e i n t h e b r o ad d ayligh t
,

o f o u r o wn ti m e t o t he am u s e m en t o f an u n b e li e vi n g
‘

g en e rati on .

An ard e n t d e si r e o n t he p art of re ligi o u s e n t h u si as t s

t o i m i t at e t he lif e o f t h e f oun d er o f th ei r o wn r eligi on or
s e c t such fou n der bei ng a lm ost i n vari ably an ascet i c an d a
,

c on tem n er of t he thi n gs of t hi s world h as als o b e en a p o t en t ,

i n flu e n c e i n origi n at i n g an d p e rp e t u at i n g sch e m e s of life ,

o r p ar tic u l ar p ra c t ic e s which s av o u r o f s e lf d e ni al m ore o r -

l e ss ri gid .

I t w o ul d app ear t hat all re ligi on s hold th at i n t he

t h ou gh t s d e sir e s an d a cti on s o f e v ery i n divid u al th ere
, ,

are p re s e nt e l e m e n t s which u nl e ss c on qu e r e d
, m o difi e d , ,

or n e u t r alis e d i n s o m e way o r o t h er di squ alify hi m f rom ,

a t t al m n th at u n e n di n g rest or t h at m o s t d e si r abl e b e at i
g
t u d e i n a f u t u r e s t at e o f e xis t e n c e which t he w orld p r o ph e ts -

h ave s o fre ely p rom is e d m an k i n d The di squ alifyi n g .

e l e m en t s ab o v e r e f e rr e d t o as hi n d e ri n g t h e re l i gio u s i n

t h e r e ali s at i on o f th e i r aspi rat i on s al t h ou gh di ffe ri n g r e

,

m ark ably i n t h e vario u s cu lts m ay for c on ve ni e n c e b e ,

i n cl u de d i n t he on e t erm s i nfu ln ess .

No w wh at is t he c au s e of t his si n ful n e ss so di s as t r ou s
,

h
t o t e hig st i e r s t s f h
h e n t e o u m a n it y ? Th at is a qu e sti on
whi ch has p erpl e x e d t he ag e s ; b u t of all t he d o ctri n e s
which m en h av e p rop oun d e d i n th ei r e n d eav o u rs t o s olve
this p e rm an e n t e nigm a o f e xis t en c e p rob ably n on e has had ,

m or e s u b t l e an d p o t e n t i n fl u en c e t h an t h at which h olds
t h at spiri t is e t e rn ally p u re an d m att e r i n he re n t ly b ad .

Th e s e id e as of i m m e m ori al an t iq ui ty an d far re achi n g

,
-

i nfl u en c e i n t he E as t f ou n d t h ei r way t o E u rop e i n t he
,

e arly c e n tu ri e s o f o u r e r a i n c o n n e cti on wi t h M anich aeis m

an d G n o sticis m an d th o u gh co n d e m n e d an d s u pp r e ss e d by
,

t h e P ap acy aid e d by t h e stron g arm o f t h e s e c ul ar p ow e r di d

, ,

n o t f ai l t o m ak e a d e e p i m p r e ssi o n o n We s t ern th o u gh t .

8
 AS CE T I CI S M : IT S O R I GI N AND D E V E L O P M E N T
If d o c t ri n e i n qu e s t i on b e a cc e p t e d i t i s pl ai n t h at
t he ,
’
m an s co rp or e al fram e c om e s di re c t ly u n d e r c on d e m n at i on ,

an d i t als o f o ll o ws th at spi ri t b e i n g p u re t he fl e sh an d i t s ,

l u s t s are re sp on sibl e for t he sin s whi ch m an c om mi ts H en ce .

,

for t he p re s erv at i on o f t h e s ou l an d t he fur th e ran c e o f i t s

aspi rat i o n s i t is n e c e ss ary t h at t he b o dy
,
wi t h i t s s en s e s , ,

app e ti t e s an d d e si re s sh o u ld b e k e pt u n d er re st rai n t
‘

, , ,

sh oul d b e m ort ifi ed an d s u ppre ss e d ; t he l ogic al ou t c o m e

of t his t rai n o f r e as o ni n g b e i n g t h e asc e tic p r a c t ic e s so highl y

h on ou re d i n all t h e gre at re ligi ou s system s 1

.

By t he H i n du sp e cu l at i ve t h eol o gi an s a sc et icism wi th ,
'

a Vi e w t o t he r e p r e ssi on o f t h e an i m al p assi on s is r e g ard e d ,

i n acc ord an c e wi t h t h e i r d u alis t ic t h e o ri e s as a m e an s t o ,

t he p urifi c at i on o f t h e m i n d s u ch p u r g at i on b e i n g as t he y , ,

sa an e ss en t i al c o n di t i on fo r t h e at t ai n m e n t o f a c o m pl e t e
y ,

kn owl e dge o f B rah m an wi t h i t s at t e n d ant fre e do m from ,

s am sara t h at is e m b o di e d e xist e n ce
,
2
which fre e d om we
, , ,

sh all fi n d is t he gre at ai m an d o bj e c t o f H in du re li gi ou s
,

li f e . An d t he pu r i ficati on of the body by a s ceti c pra ct i ces is

als o h e ld by H i n d u t h e o l o gi an s as a n e c e ss ary c o n di t i on fo r

e ve n t h at t e m p o rar y C o m m u ni on i n t hi s lif e o f t h e h u m an , ,

s oul wi t h t he D ivin e S pirit whi ch i s t he o bj e c t o f t h e e c st at ic ,

h op e of m an y a reli gi ou s m an i n I n di a .

’
I n t he E as t g en erally an d i n I n di a p ar tic u l arly m an s , ,

c orpo real fram e has b e e n for age s c on sid ere d t he gr e at

hi n dran ce t o t h e at tai nm en t by spiri t of i t s p r op e r d e s t in y ,

wh e th er t h at de stin y b e as t he B u ddhi s t s t each a r el e as e , ,

from t he e vils of su cc e ssive rebi rt hs with u lt im at e n i rvan a ,

or as t h e H i n d u s h o ld di re ct un i on with an d abs o r p t i o n i n t o
, ,

t he U ni v e rs al S pi rit An d wh at e v e r o th e r vi e ws m ay h ave
.

b e en h e ld t h e hu m an b o dy h as Un de r r eligi ou s z e al b e en
, , ,

s acrific e d i n al m o st all c o u n t ri e s t o t he s u pp o s e d adv an

t age o f t he s ou l ; an d t his s u pp re ssion o f n at u r al d e si r e s ,

o f t en c om bi n e d wi t h p o s i t i v e ill t re at m e n t o f t h e b o dy fo r -
,

1
Tu r e, hu h p s i b d p
t he C s h i st i
r th g u ds ls
an C rc re c r e e n an ce on o er ro n a o,

h ldi g t h t v f i d uly p t d f t m p l p lt y w s t i ll d
o n a e en or S n re en e o a e or a en a as ue,

and i ,d t ff d m s f t h s t i sf t i
n or er o a f t h i s bli g t i
or tha e an or e a ac on o o a on , e

p i t t i l di sci pli f t h Chu h m d p vi si i t h f m f f st i gs

en en a ne o e rc a e ro on n e or o a n ,

fl g ll t i
a e p i lg i m g s d fi s
a on s, r a e , an ne .

Th U p i sh ds
2
s C m m t y t sl t d by S ’
e d S i S k an a an r an ar a o e n ar , r an a e .

Sit m S st i B A
ar a a l i sp i lly p 8 5
a r , . . , vo . . e ec a . .

9
 T H E MYS T I CS AS CE T I CS AN D S AI N T S OF I N D I A
, ,

spiri t u al en ds is wh at we n ow u s u all y c all asce ticis m

, ,
1

t h ou gh c u ri o u sly en ou gh am on gst t he G r e e ks it m e an t
, ,

t h at absti n e n c e fr o m s en s u al i n du l gen c e s which was n e c e s

s ary for t he pre servati on of the body i n a fi t s t at e for
a t hl e t ics .

O f th o s e who un d ergo m orti fi c at i on s t he m aj o rity wh at , ,

e v e r th e i r c re e d m a
y b e p r o b ably c o n fi n e t h e i r au st e riti e s
,

t o an o cc as i on al f ast or a p e ri o dic al abs t i n e n c e from par

t i c u l ar ki n ds of f o o d ; b ut e v e rywh ere a m i n ori t y c an b e
f ou n d o f s en si t ive n atu re s who m ore d e eply affe ct e d by , ,

wo rld we ari n e ss an d sp u rre d on by t he un c on t roll abl e

-
,

e xcite m e n t o f i n t e n s e r e ligi ou s e n t h u si as m willi n gly e xh au s t ,

i n gen u i t y i n affli cti n g t h e m s elve s wi t h cru e l p ai n s an d

p en al t i e s E arly Chris t i an histo ry p r ovide s ab un d an t
.

e x am pl e s o f t his l at t e r t yp e ; b u t t h e y ar e n ot p e c ul i ar t o

Ch ris t en do m as we sh all p re s en tly se e S u ch h e roic c on

, .

te m pt o f p ai n an d ple as ure as t h e s e e xt re m e asc e t ics di s

pl ay c om m an ds t he w o n de ri n g att en t ion an d r e s pe c t fu l
h o m ag e o f t he m u l t itu de The v olu n t ary s u fferer s b e c om e
.

o bj e cts o f v e n e r at i on ; f am e m ak e s i t s e lf b u sy wi t h t h e i r

d oi n gs ; w o n d ers ar e at trib u t e d t o t h em an d by a c u ri ou s , ,

i r on y spiri t u al p ride an d vani t y pl ay n o u ni m po rt an t p art

,

i n e n c our agi n g r e ligi ou s asc e t icism Th e re as on is obvi ou s . .

The r ep u t ati o n for s an c t i t y which acco m p ani e s s e lf r e -

p re ssi on an d d e t achm e n t from t he w orld bri n gs wi t h i t

n o t o n ly p o p u l ar a d m i r at i o n b u t o fte n s o m u ch s u bstan t i al
,

pow er also th at m an y am bi t i ou s m en an d s eek e rs afte r

,

p u blicity are at t ra c t e d i n t o t he ran ks o f t he asc e t ics i n

o r d e r t o e n j oy th e s e c o n g e n i al an d by n o m e an s i n con

si d e r abl e adv an t ag e s .

I t h app en s n ot i n fre qu e n t ly t h at t h e sp e c t acl e is pre

s en t e d o f t he co n te m poran e ou s e xiste n c e o f u n b ou n de d
l u xu ry an d t he m os t au s t ere asc e ticis m ; on e b ei n g t he
re s ul t o f t he s u cc e ss o f t h e fe w t h e o t h er o f t he f ail ur e ,

o f t h e m an y I n s u ch t i m e s t h e asc e t ic t h e re n u n ci an t
.
, ,

S t an ge as i t m ay see m s u ff i n g i i t se l f co m e s i n t he c ase of s o m
1
r , er n ,
e

hi ghly e m t i on al n at ure s t o be r g a de d as d s i able S t T he re s a for

o , e r e r . .
,

e x am ple s ays S u ff in g alon e c an m ak e li fe t o le able t o m e My gre ate st

, , er r .

d si re i s t o su ffer O fte an d Ofte n I c ry o t t o Go d from t he de p t h s o f m y

e n u

—
.

s oul Ei t he r t o su ffe r or t o d i e i s ll I ask of T hee

, J oly s P sychology
a .
’ ’

10
 ASCE T I CI S M : ITS O RI GI N A N D D E V E L O P M E N T
b e c om e s t he p op u l ar ide al o f a gre at m an t he gu ide an d ,

le ader o f t he p e ople t he frie n d of t he p oo r an d t he sc orn fu l

, ,

con t e m n e r o f t he e x al t e d I n s u ch t im e s t he spiri t o f
.

asc e t icis m m ay p en et r at e i n t o t he v ery hi gh e s t gr ad e s o f

s o ci ety wh ere it co ul d l eas t b e e xp e cte d t o fi n d adm issi on

, ,

t h ou gh t he r e aso n s for this w o u ld n o t b e di fficul t o f c om

p reh en si on i n m o st c as e s c o u ld on e b u t get a gli m ps e b e
,

hi n d t h e c ur t ai n s Of p riv ate life For i t is n ot onl y dis .

c o m fi t u re i n t h e o p e n w orld s t rif e t h at bri n gs m en t o -

de sp on den cy ; d om e s t ic di s app oi n tm en ts an d t he o rdi n ary

disillu si on m en ts of life m ay drive e ve n t he rich an d highly
pl ace d t o s ee k pe ac e i n t he re t i rem e n t o f t he cl oiste r or i n
philosophi c al re sign at i on c ou pl e d wi t h c on te m ptu ou s i n di ffer
e n c e t o w orldly advan t ag e s
1
.

E ven wh en d omi n at e d by ascet ic z eal an d t he spiri t of

s elf sacri fi ce t h e m aj ori t y of m en are gre g ari ou s i n t h e ir
-
,

i n stin ct s S o i t h app en s t h at m an y b re t hre n i n m isfortu n e

.
,

r e no n ci n g t he w orld an d wh at th e y c all i t s h o ll o w si n f ul
u
pl e asure s g at her t oge t h er for m u tu al i m p rove m en t an d
, ,

en c ourag e m en t i n r eli gi o u s co m m u ni t i e s whi ch lat er on

, ,

devel op i n t o c on ve n t u al e st ablishm en t s or m on as t e ri e s
g overn e d by fixe d rul es Hi t h er gravi t at e t he dis app oin t e d
.
,

t h e w o rld w eary -
H ere i n t rou ble d t im e s m an y s e e k p e ace
.

an d p r o t e c t i o n an d h e re t oo a few a t t r ac t e d by t he t ran
, ,

qu illit y o f t he c en obitic life c om e from a sh ee r l ov e o f God ,

an d a d e si re for sile n t an d c on st an t c om m un i on wi t h

Like oth e r ide as o t h er s e n ti m e n t s which h ave for

an d

a ti m e obt ai n e d en e ral c ur re n cy o r a cc e p t an c e thos e c on

g ,

n e c t ed wi t h p ra ctical a sc e t icis m h av e a t en d e n cy t o l an ui sh
g
wh en t he c au s e s which stim u l at e d t h em i n t o sp e ci al a ctivity
h ave di e d ou t B u t t h ou gh t he spiri t o f asce t i cism m ay
.

s e em at c ert ain fl ou rishi n g p e riods o f his t ory t o b e e xt in ct ,

i t c an n e ve r b e q u i t e s o wh l e t h e t e di u m of e xist en c e
i
pre ss e s u pon we ary s o uls an d whi le so rrow wan t an d , , ,

g d s p s h
An in t e re st i n I n i an i n t an ce of t i s i s t he oe t an d Pri m e Mi ni t e r
M an ak a Vasagur , wh o i n t h e e i
-
gh h uy
t ce n t r A D g v u p h gh p s
a e hi s i o i t i on . .

dv h s f
t o e o t e i m e l i n ec s lu s p uy
i on an d e n r t o t he w p v
ors hi o f S i a, as t he

su p ul
re m e r e r o f t he un i e r e v s
H i s poe m sp s vd
. re e r e u d
i n S o t he rn I n i a
are s d b h
ai u
t o re at e a t r e e m o t i on al i e t —
p y Jou rnal , Royal As i at i c S oci em
. ,

Ap pp
ril 19 01, 3 46 48
.
-
.

I I
TH E MYS T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D S A I N T S OF I N D I A
, ,

m i s ery xis t i n t his w o rld I t sl um b er s p erh aps , b u t is

e .
,

re a dy t o qui ck en wh e n e v e r ci r c u m s t an c e s h app en which

m ak e t h e b u r d e n o f life for t h e m aj o ri t y t o o h eavy fo r
p at i en t e n du ran ce I n p ro sp erou s t i m e s t he at t ract i on s o f
.

t h e far o ff h e av e n s l o s e s om e t hi n g o f t h e i r f o r c e i n t h e
-

p r e s en c e o f t h e n e are r an d m ore t an gibl e all u re m e n t s o f

t he d ay b u t as s oon as t h e fi er c e stru ggl e fo r e xis t e n c e
, ,

b e c om e s c al am i t ou s t o t h e m aj or p o rt i on o f an y c om m u ni ty ,

t h e di sc om fi t u r e o f t h e m an y o n c e m or e r e viv e s fr om i t s
s t ill warm e m b e r s t he d orm an t spiri t o f asc e t icism ; an d
t h en n e w re li gi ou s o r at l e as t n e w r e ligi o u s l e ad er s aris e
, , ,

am o n gs t t he w re t ch e d an d d o wn t ro dd e n t o t e a ch ag ai n t h e ,

e xp e d i e n cy an d b e au t y o f t h e r e n u n ci at i on o f al l w o rldly

d e sire s an d t o p oi n t t he way p e rh aps a n e w way t o a

, , ,

d e l e ctabl e e xiste n c e b e yon d t h e gr av e E v e n t he ru shi n g .

stre am o f m o d ern E u r op e an life has i t s q u i e t b ackwat er s

i n t o which t he w orld we ary dri ft S il en t ly an d u n obs erv e d
-
,

re sig ni n g t h e m s e lv e s i n dis m al m on as t eri e s an d r eligi ou s

,

e st abli sh m en t s t o s u c h au s t e ri t i e s as t h e y b e li e v e will
,

e n h an c e t h e h e av e nl y re w ar d t o which t h e y l o o k f o rw ar d

wi t h childlike c on fid en c e o r t i m id h op e .

N o t hi n g is m ore c e rt ai n t h an t h at wh e n i n di vi d u als o r
.

c om m u ni t i e s are s u fferi n g fro m wide sp re ad c al am i t i e s an d

gre at n at i on al tro u bl e s o f wh at e ve r n at u re t h eir t h ou gh t s ,

t urn i m pl ori n gly t o w ards th e i r g o ds an d l on gi n gly t o w ards

h e ave n as s u re ly as t he m agn e tic n ee dl e s e eks t he Pol e
,
.

For t h e p ro sp e ro u s t his e ar t h h as its at t ra c t i o n s an d i t s

re w ar ds , b u t for t h e u n f or t un at e an d d o wn tro dd e n th e re
is on ly t he p ro m is e d h e re af t e r H en c e i t is ob vi o u s th at
.

r e ligi on fl o urish e s b e s t wh e r e t he c on di t i o n s o f lif e h av e

b e e n m o s t u nfavo urabl e for t he m aj o ri t y No w I n di a .

,

h as for d e c ad e s o f c e n t u ri e s s u ffe re d i n n o sligh t d e g re e

from c ert ain d e p re ssin g ci r cu m s t an c e s m o st c on du cive t o
t h e p ro d u c t i on o f i n divid u al an d n ati on al d e sp on d en cy .

R eligi on o f t h e glo om y t yp e h as c on s e q u e n t ly always

fl ou ri sh e d t h e re and wi t h i t a sc e t icism als o e x agge rat e d
, ,

an d i n t e n sifi e d by t h e f ac t t h at I n di a is t h e h e ad c e n t r e -

o f t he d o c t ri n e o f t he e t e rn al an t a go ni s m b e tw e e n spi ri t

a n d m at t e r .

The m o s t c u rs ory c o n sid e r ati o n o f f ac t s will b e ar

12
TH E MYS T I CS AS C E T I CS A N D SAI N T S OF I N D I A , ,

of the ir d o in gs whil e on t he o ther h an d i n gl oom y , ,

p e ri o ds of stagn atio n an d oppre ssi on n o t on ly is t he ,

h ealthy s t im u l us t o t he p rodu ctio n o f historic al writin gs

ab s en t b u t t h ere is als o e v e r p re s e n t a powe r f ul d e te rren t
,

i n t he dre ad of o ffen di n g t he o pp re ssors which p aralys e s

t he han d of t he woul d b e his t ori an -
.

B e sid e s t he al re ady n ote d c aus e s p redi sposi n g t he

In di an s t o h abits o f d e sp o n den cy an d re ligi ou s qui etis m ,

th e re are o t h er s which h ave also co n trib u t ed to wards

t he s am e e n d One o f the s e is t h e stric t ly v e g e t ari an
.

di e t of a m aj ority o f t he p e opl e which di e t e ve n if , ,

alw ay s s u fli ci e n t ly n u triti ou s wo uld c ertai nly h ave i n t he , ,

co u r s e of su cce ssive gen e rati on s a c um ul ative t en d en cy t o ,

i n d u ce a p ati en t in aggre ssive an d p rob ably d espon d en t , ,

h abit of m i n d with physic al i n dole n c e an d ap athy i n its

,

t rain .Then agai n t he In di an p eopl e h av e alwavs had

, ,

am o n gst th e m i n p ro f u sio n t he S OPOI Ifi O poppy an d t he

’

h em p pl an t wh o s e n arcotic p ro du cts we re di scove re d e arly

, ,

1
an d th e i r d rowsy fasci n at i o n s e xt e n sive ly app re ci at e d .

Fi n ally t he stu dy of t he psychology o f t he In di an

,

p e opl e re veals t o u s th at com bi ne d wi t h i n tell e ctu al ,

qu aliti e s of t he hi gh e st order th ei r m o s t striki n g ch ar ,

ac t eri s t i c s are i m agi n ativen e ss e m otio n alism m ysticism , , ,

credu li t y reli gi o u s fe rvo ur an d i m p re ssio n ability all i n

,
2
,

a v e ry e x agg e rat e d d e gr ee .

1 Th p p ul ar be li f t h t t h h bi t f sm k i g i gi t d wi t h t h
e re is a o e a e a o o n or na e e

u se f t b
o fte t h di s v y f Am i t t h d f t h fift t h
o ac c o a r e co er o er c a a e en o e e en

ce n tu y r b t wh t v m y b t h fac t as
u , g ds t b
a e er th i m pl
a e e re ar o acc o , e re s a e

e vi d t sh w t h t t h b k s
en ce o d l v s f
o t i n pl
a ts ls s wdu st
e ar an ea e o ce r a an , a o a

an d m u shr m s f s t s oo w ll pi u m d h m p h v s i
o or , m t
as e as o an e , a e n ce r e o e

an t i qui t y b sm k d in t h E st d A f i
een o d i Ee p t S m e a an r c a , an n u ro e oo . o e

tim s e , i th as f t h S y t hi
n s d s i b d by H d t u s t h s m k
e c as e o e c an e cr e er o o , e o e

w as u s d Si m plye fum i g t i l s d t t f p du i g xhi l t i g

as a an n a c o e en or ro c n e ar a n

e ff t s b t m
ec ,
mm u ly t h p i p wi t h b wl w k w i t w u s d
ore c o on e e, a o as e no , as e ,

an d , mi gh t h v b
as xp t d h l gi s t s h v t f i l d t b t i
a e een e ec e , ar c aeo o a e no a e o o a n

an a m pl s u pply f t h s e ti l s f m io t t u m uli d d p s i t s wh i h
e e ar c e ro an c e n an e o c

d t b k m y tu i
a e ac R
an E y l p digce n 3 d A p i l 189 7
r es -
evu e nc c o
’
e ue , r r .

D J m s E sd i l
2
r . a w ll k w i I di s m fift y si x t y y s
e a e , so e no n n n a o e or e ar

a g o as a m s t s u ssf u los u g i l p t u d
c ce m s m i i fl u rm ca o e ra o r n er e er c n e n ce , c a e

t oth l u si
e c on c ft t i xp i m t s i S t l d t h t ly t h
on , a e r ce r a n e er en n co an , a on
‘f
e

d p ssi g i fl u
e re n f d i s s wi ll b f u d t
n e n ce du E u p s t t h
o ea e e o n o re ce ro e an o e

i m p ss i bl
re di t i f t h
e c on v u s sys t m mm
on o m g t h E st e n er o e so c o on a on e a e rn

na ti s —Di ti y f N tion l B i g phy

on .
”
c o na r o a a o ra .

14
 AS CE T I CI S M : I TS O R I GI N AN D D E V E L O P M EN T
To s um th en it wo ul d app e ar th at u n de r t he
u p, , ,

c om bi n e d i n flu en ce of t he p hysic al p oli t ic al an d s o ci al , ,

c on di t i on s re ferre d t o aide d powerq y by t he in te ll e ct u al

,

an d m o ral p e cul i ariti e s o f t he p e opl e a dull s t agn ati on ,

has b e e n for ag e s t he u n e n vi abl e lot o f t he m as ses of t he

In di an p e opl e— a st at e ve ry c on du cive t o m en t al de pre ssio n
an d gl o om y r eligi ou s sp e cu l at i on s l e adi ng n aturally t o ,

ab n e g ati o n an d asc e tic li v i n gJ H en c e it c am e t o p ass t h at

t he an ci e n t l awgive r was abl e wi t h a r e aso n abl e hOpe o f ,

s u cc e ss t o m o de l t he o rdi n ary life of t he Hi n du u p on a

,

wi de b asis o f pove rt y r en u n ci ati o n an d re ti rem en t fro m

, ,

t he w orld A s p re scrib e d i n t he s acre d S hastras of t he

.

Hin du s t h e i de al life for t he thre e su p e rior c as t e s b e gi n s

,

with m en di c an cy an d e n ds wi t h asc e ticism acc ordi n g to ,

t he foll o wi n g sch e m e whi ch di vid e s t he ordi n ary sp an o f a

,

’
m an s e xist en c e i n t o f our w ell m ark e d p e ri o ds -
.

1 E arly yout h which sh ou ld b e p ass e d as a B ra h

.
,

m achari o r re ligi ou s s t u de n t livi n g o n al m s .

2 M anhood d uri n g which p eri o d t he

. , twice b orn -

m an sh ou ld as a Gr i ha sta d e v ot e hi m s e lf to ho u s ehold
, ,

du ti e s an d t he reari n g of a fami ly .

3 M i ddle age whi ch sh o ul d b e sp en t as a B ana

.
,
’
astha or f o r e s t re cl u s e with o r wi t h ou t one s wif e I n
p r , .

re g ar d t o f oo d t he h ermi t sh oul d r e stric t hi m s elf t o t he

,

sp on t an e ou s p rodu ct s o f t he e arth o btai n e d by hi m s elf ,

an d sh o u ld abs t ai n u n de r all ci rc u m s t an c e s fro m p ar t aki n g

, ,

y
’
o f an ythi n g gro wn i n t o wn s or t h e p ro d u c e o f an m an s

labou r .

4 . The f li fe d uri n g which fin al stage

c losi n g p eri od o ,

t he go o d Hi n du sh ou ld b eco m e a S anyas i aban d on i n g all ,

s en sual de si re s an d li vi n g by m en di cancy on the chari ty of

This is n otpl ace t o di scu ss wh at b an e fu l e ffe cts

t he
s u ch a sch e m e for t h e c on du c t of i n dividu al life if a c t e d ,

u p on g e n e r ally wou ld i n e vi t ably p ro du ce u p on n at i on al

,

Characte r an d n at i on al r e so u r c e s an d s u ch c on sid e rat i on s ,

wou ld i n all p rob abili t y h av e b ee n o f qui t e i n signific an t

, ,

im p ortan c e i n t he e ye s of t he Hi n du l awgiver Nor n e e d .

we p au s e t o e s t i m at e t h e e xt en t t o whi ch t hi s id eal sche m e of

life has b rou ght abo u t t he a cc e pted low s t an d ard o f c om fort
15
TH E MYS T I CS AS CE T I CS AN D S AI N T S O F I N D I A
, ,

an d t he x t rem e si m plici t y o f livi n g i n I n di a B u t i t is

e .

n e c e ss ar y t o d raw at ten t i on t o t he e n c ou r ag em en t an d
s an cti on whi ch t he divi n ely app oin te d H i n du id e al o f
li fe giv e s t o m en di can cy as w ell a s r e t ire m en t f ro m t he
w orld b e c au s e t he i n e vi t abl e r e s ul t o f t hi s h as b een t h at
,

n o Hi n d u f ee ls asham ed t o b e g or t o ab an d on t h e d u t i e s

o f ci t iz e n shi p a t an age wh en h e m ight b e a p r o d u c t iv e

1
w ork er for t h e g en eral g o o d .

I t h as b e en arg u e d t h at t he id e al sch e m e o f lif e with

i t s f ou rf old di visi on was i n s t itu t e d r eally i n o ppo si t i o n t o
s adhu i s m a s i t p o s t p o n e s t h e a d o p t i o n o f t h e a sc e t ic lif e
,

t o a t i m e wh e n a m an w ou ld i n o rdi n ary c o u r s e b e t o o , ,

f e ebl e t o e n du re all its h ardships B u t whi le i t is d o u btf ul .

,

wh e t h er the re is an y t ru t h wh at e ver i n t hi s c on t en t i on ,

n o u n p r e j u dic e d p e r s on will d e n y t h a t t h e s ch e m e i t s e lf

c ou n t e n an c e s an d e n j oin s a sys t e m o f a sc e t icis m o f u n

p ar all el e d sc op e for i t e m b rac e s e v ery s u p eri or I n di vidu al
,

wi t hi n t he p al e o f Hi n dui sm .

I t m ay b e a dd e d t h at t h e s t r on g r e s t rai n t which n at ur al
’
s olici t u d e for t he c om for t abl e m ai n t e n an c e o f on e s fam ily
w oul d or di n arily e x er cis e u po n t he d e cisi on o f a p aren t
'

hu sb an d s on o r b ro t h e r di spos e d t o ab an d on his h om e
, , ,

is con side r ably w e ak e n e d am on gst H in du s by t h e c o

o p e ra t iv e sys t em whi ch p re v ai ls am on gs t t h e m u n der ,

which i n ordi n ary cir cu m s t an ce s t h e b ur d en of s u pp or t in g

, ,

—
t he fam i ly t hi s t e r m b e i n g u n d e r s t oo d i n a wid e s e n s e
'

w ou ld f all u p on an d b e sh are d al i k e by all t h e m al e

m em b e rs t h e re o f I n de e d t his j oi n t sys t em al t ho u gh n ot
.
, ,

with ou t i t s a dvan tag e s d oe s un d ou b t e dl y e n c o u rage nu

,

p rofi t abl e idl en e ss l e adi n g i n m an y c as e s t o t h e ad op t i on

,

o f a lif e o f r e sp e ct abl e v ag ran cy u n d e r t he c o n v e n i e n t

m ask o f r e li gi on .

Wi t h ou t an y p ret en c e o f an e xh au s t ive an alysis o f t he

v ari ou s an d c om pl e x m o t ive s whi ch u n d erli e r eligi ou s
asc e t icis m I m ay b e fore c on clu di n g t his ch ap t er d r aw
,

at t e n t i on t o wh at app e ar t o m e t o b e t h e m o re g e n e ral

r e as on s which p rom p t m en t o asc e t ic p rac t ic e s

d e si re which is i n t en sifi e d by all p e rs on al or
,

1
The P w d B e au t y of B gg a y
o e r an i t h e s u bj e t f an e r s c o

an I di n j ourn li s t i
n a E as t a nd Wes t for De ce m be r 19 01
a n

16
 A S CE T I CI S M : I TS O R I GI N AN D D E V E L O P M E N T
t rou bl e s , t o p ropiti ate t he U n s ee n Po we r s .
(2) A l o n gi n g
on t he p art of t he
i n te n s e ly reli gi ou s t o fo ll ow i n t h e
fo o ts t e ps o f t hei r m aster alm o s t i n v ari ably an asc et ic
, .

( )
3 A wish t o wo rk ou t o n e s o wn fu t u re s alv ati o n
’
or ,

e m an cip at i o n by c on q u e ri n g t he e vil i n h e re n t i n h um an
,

n at u re , i s t he fl e sh
. . 4
( ) A.
y e arn i n g t o p r e p ar e o n e s e lf
by p u rific at i on o f m i n d an d b ody for en t eri n g i n t o present
c om m u ni on wi t h t he D ivi n e B ei n g (5) D e sp air arisin g .

fr om di sill u si onm en t an d from de fe at i n t he b at t l e o f lif e .

An d l as t ly m e re v an i t y sti m ul at e d by t he admi rati o n

, ,

which t he m ul titu de b e sto w u p o n t he asc e t ic .

I h ave I h Ope m ade i t s uffici en t l y c l ear that t he

, ,

p olitic al an d o t h e r c au s e s which i n du ce t he fram e o f m i n d

wherei n t he ab o ve s t at e d re as on s ar e m o s t Op er at ive h av e
-
,

for ag e s e xis t e d i n I n di a i n a m o re t h an o rdi n ar y d egre e , .

Wh at o the r p owerf ul an d p e cu li arly In di an m ot ive s

, ,

st i m ul ate t he asce t ic p ractic e s o f t he sadhu s will b e

m en t i on e d i n t h e n e x t ch apt e r .
 CHA PTE R I I

S OM E P EC UL I A R AN D D I STI N CTI V E C H A R A CT E RI STI CS

or H I N DU A S CE TI CIS M

Hi n du I de a Of un b oun de d Po wer o ve r Nat ur t t ai n ble t h ou gh

t he e a a r

As ce t i c Pr ac t i ce s—The R at i on al e o f t hi s No t i —E x am ple s o f P owe r on

ac qui d by As t i i s m i t d f m t h M h abh t t h R m y
re ce c c e ro e a ar a a, e a a an a ,

t h S i v Pu
e a d t h Vi sh u P u
r an a, an —Th S u p m B i g H i m s lf
e n r an a e re e e n e

p t i s s Au st i t i s—R i v l y f S t s gi v s i s t L g ds f Co
r ac e er e a r o ec e r e o e en o n

fli t b s d su ssful A s t i P t i s b t w
c s, a e on c ce i v l wad s ce c r ac ce , e ee n r a er

Ti t i C fli t be t w V si sh t d Vi m i t ls b t w N k
an c on c ee n a a an sv a ra , a o e e en an a

an d t h S i dd h s —H i d u A s t i i s m h
e a u su lly n l t i t E t hi s
ce c as a n o re a on o c .

ENDE AVOUR ED t o
sh ow i n t he l ast
ch apte r th at asce t icis m was fost e re d i n
I n di a by c au s e s whi ch h ave given birth
t o si m il ar d e v e lop m en t s e ls e wh ere an d ,

t h at o wi n g t o sp e ci al ci r c u m s t an c es ,

r e f e rre d t o i n s om e d e t ail it has ,

a ss u m e d a ch ron ic f o rm i n t h e c oun try

t o t h e s o u t h o f t h e H i m al ay as B ut .

t h ere ar e st riki n g p e cu li ari t i e s a b ou t

Hi n du a sc et icis m whi ch di ffe re n ti at e
i t f ro m t h at ass o ci at e d wi t h B u ddhi s m ,

Chris t i ani t y or I slam ; an d t o t he se ,

p e c u li ari t i e s an d t h e m otive s un de r ,

lyi n g t h e m I n o w i n vi t e at t e n ti o n , .

A ll t h e m o s t e s t eem e d s ag es of
I n di a are b eli ev e d t o have p rac t is ed
au s t e ri t i e s The gre at p oe t s t o o e v e n .
, ,

t h e m o re m o d e rn o n e s s u ch as T ul asi ,

Das au th or of t h e Hi n di R am ayan a an d Jayad e v a a u th or

, , ,

o f t h e Gi t a G o vi n d a we re re ligi ou s de v o t e e s an d t h e m e
-
,

t u rgi st s o f t he hi gh e st o rd e r
1
M arti al he ro e s an d demi gods.
,

1
S k etc h of the R el i gi ous S ects o f the H i ndus , by P f ss ro e or H H . . Wi lso n ,

pp . 4 1 43 -
.
S O M E C H ARAC T E RI S T I CS OF H I N D U AS CE T I CI S M
like Arj un a an d R am a are c re di t e d wi t h a sc e t ic p ractic e s ;
,

b u t it is d e cid e dly st ar tli n g t o le arn th at t he gods t h e m

se lv e s h ave u n d e rg on e s e lf i nfli c t e d t o r t u re s fo r t he a tt ai n
-

m en t o f t he o bj e cts of th e i r d e si re s R e f erri n g t o thi s .

p oin t t he l ate Pr ofe ss or S i r M oni e r Willi am s wro t e as

,

foll ows 1
A ccordi n g t o Hi n d u t he ory t he p e rform an ce ,

o f p e n an c e s was like m aki n g d e p o si t s i n t h e b an k of

!

h eave n By d e gre e s an e n o rm ou s cre dit was a ccu m u l ated

.

which e nabl e d t he d e p o sito r t o draw t o t he am o un t o f

hi s s a vi n gs wi t h ou t f e ar o f his draft s b e i n g r e fu s e d
,

p aym en t The p o we r gai n e d i n t his way by we ak m ort als

.

was so e n o rm ou s th at g o ds as W e ll as m e n were e qu ally

,

a t t he m e r cy o f t h e s e all b u t o m ni p o te n t a sc e tics an d ,

i t i s re m ark abl e t h at e ven t he g o ds are d e scrib e d as !

e n g agin g i n p en an c e s an d au ste ri t i e s i n o rde r it m ay b e , ,

pre s u m e d n o t t o b e o u t don e by hu m an b ei n gs S iva was

'

.
,

s o e n g ag e d wh en t he go d o f lov e sh o t an arr o w at hi m !
2

The g en e sis o f t he s e n o ti on s so e x t rav ag an t an d far , ,

fetch e d i n app e aran c e is I thi n k su sc e p t i b le of e xpl an ati on

, , , .

From t he acc e pt e d d Oc t ri n e t h at asce t ic p rac t ic e s by c on ,

f —
qu e ri n g t he e vil t e n den ci e s o m atter t h at is t he fl e sh , ,

pu rify t he im pris on e d spi ri t an d re n d e r i t fit for re

-
,

u ni on with t he A bs o l u t e B e i n g t he Hi n d u t hi n k e r mi ght ,

re aso n ably arg u e t h at a s t he au s t e ri ti e s w e re i n c reas e d an d

i n t en sified t he pro b ability of t he wishe d for re un i on o f t h e -

asce tic s
’
s oul wi t h t he Abs ol u t e B ei n g w ou ld b e come
r t r an d g re at e r an d th at by vi rt u e o f s u ch ap p r o a chi n g
g ea e ,

r eu n i on t h e p o w e r o f t he so ul o v e r m at t e r an d n at ur al

phe n om e n a ge n e rally woul d als o grow m ore an d m ore

e ffe c t ive T hi s b ein g co nc e de d t he n e xt st e p w ou ld b e t o
.
,
’
gau ge a m an s u n kn own s u p ern at ural p o wer s by hi s s elf
i nfli ct e d t o rt u r e s an d c on ve r s e ly if on e d e si re d s u p e rh u m an
’

1
I ndi a n E p i c P oetry, n o te t o 4 p . .

2
d fu t u
To t h e I n i an n o t i on o f m e r i t b o ar de d u i us s up for re use , a c r o

re s bl em d d h
an c e m ay b e t r a ce th Ch u h p ss ss d
i n t h e i e a t at e rc o e e a

t su i th m i t s f Ch i s t d f t h s i t s d m t y s f m whi h
rea re n e er o r an o e a n an ar r , ro c

t sure a uld b d w u p f m t i m t t i m s t i sf t i f t h
re co e ra n on , ro e o e, a ac on or e

pe lt i s f i
na eid whi h u d l y t h R m i sh p t i f g t i g
o s n an ea c n er a e o r ac ce o r an n

i d u lg
n s S Ce n ce K x Li t t l s S t F i f A i i h p vii i
. ee an o n no e
’
. ra nc s o ss s , c a . ,

G i go n s t p fu t ha th f i
e s t k u p t h m s lv s t di s t i b ut t h
r e r, e r ar oo on e e e o r e e

s u plus m i t f t h i d
r er —S i l E g l d by T i ll d M n
o e r or e r. l oc a n an , ra an an , vo .

ii p 3 72
. . .

I 9
T H E MYS T I CS AS C E T I CS A N D SA I N T S OF I N D I A , ,

powe r for t he acc om plish m e n t o f an y de fini t e o bj e c t h e ,

wou ld r e s ort t o au s t e ri t i e s to g ai n his e n d Wh at a .

pl en t ifu l cro p of e xt rav agan t m y t hs an d l e g en ds co u ld ,

an d di d spri n g o u t o f s u ch id e as is cl e arly shown i n Hi n d u

, ,

li t eratu re whi ch m ay n ow b e drawn u p on for a few t ypic al

,

e x am pl e s r e qu isi t e for t h e e xp o si t i o n o f t h e s u bj e ct .

I n t he M ah abh arat a i t i s re l at e d o f t wo b r ot h ers ,

dai tyas o f t he r a c e o f t he g re at A s ur a t h at t h e y u n d er ,

t o o k a c ou rs e o f s e v e re au s t e ri t i e s wi t h t h e m o m e n t ou s
”
Obj e ct o f s u bj u g at in g t h e t hre e w orlds Th e y cl o t h e d .

t h e m s e l v e s i n t he b ar k o f t r e e s w ore m at t e d h ai r b e , ,

s m e are d t h e m s elv e s wi t h di rt from h e ad t o f o o t an d i n .

s oli t u d e u p on t he l on e m ou n t ai n s e n d ure d t he gre ate st

, ,

privati on s of h u n ger an d t hi rs t Th e y s t o od for ye ars on .

t h e i r t o e s wi t h t h e i r arm s u plif t e d an d t h e i r e y elids wid e

,

o p en .No t c on t e n t wi t h t h e s e s ore p en an c e s t h e y i n , ,

t h e i r z e al c u t o ff p i e c e s o f t h e i r o wn fl e sh an d thre w t h e m
,

i n t o t h e fi re Th e Vi n dhya m o u n t ai n s o n which t h e s e
.
,

d e t e rm i n e d asc e tics h ad pl ac e d t h e m s e lve s b e cam e h e at e d ,

by t h e f erv ou r o f t h eir au st e ri t i e s an d t h e g o ds b e h o l di n g ,

t h ei r d oi n gs an d al arm e d for t he c on s e qu e n c e s t h at m ight

,

en su e did e ve ryt hi n g i n t h ei r p o we r t o dive r t t h e m from

,

t h e s t ri c t o bs erv an c e o f t h ei r v o ws The g ods t em p t ed .

t h e b r ot h e r s by m e an s o f e v e ry p re ci o u s p o ss e ssi on an d
” 1
t he m o s t b e au t if u l gi rls b u t with ou t s u cc e ss Th en , .

”
t h e c e l e s t i als t ri e d t h e i r p o w er s o f i ll u si on m aki n g i t ,

s e e m t o t h e asc e t ics t h at t h ei r sis t e r s m o t h e r s wiv e s , , ,

an d o t h e r re l at iv e s wi t h dish e ve ll e d h ai r an d o rn am en t s
,

an d r o b e s were ru n ni n g t owards t h e m i n t e rr o r p u rsu e d

, ,

an d stru ck d own by a R aksh as a wi t h a l an c e i n h an d .

An d i t s e em e d t h at t he w o m en i m pl ore d t h e h e lp o f t he
b rot h ers c ryi n g O s av e u s
,
2
, ,

E ven t his h arro wi n g sc en e o f d om e s t ic afflict i on f

t o sh ak e t h e co n s t an cy o f t h e a sc e t i cs t o t h ei r v o ws ,

1 M h bh a a ar at a —Ad i Par v s
a, e c t i on c c xi . B bu P
a ro t a p Ch an d ra

t r an sl at i o n .

2 T hi s te m pt at i on of t he st s t i
e ar n e a ce c,

sv
e us t i t i s i
e re a er e , s n ot c on fi d t Hi d
ne o n

f d i t h hi st y
ou n n e or

sp re ad b e li e fi n t he p o te n c y of s lf m o
e -
r t ifi c at i on s .

20
TH E MYS T I CS AS C ET I CS AN D S AI N T S O F I N D I A
, ,

faire st co m pl exio n t he e lde st d au ghte r of t he Ki n g o f

,

K aoi p rocu re d wo o d fr o m th at f ore st i n t h e v ery sigh t

,

o f t h o s e g r e a t ri s hi s m ad e a l arg e f un e ral p y re on t he b an ks
,

o f t h e Yam u n a an d h avi n g s e t fi re t o i t
,
h ers e lf e n t e re d ,

t h at bl azi n g fi re with a h ear t b urni n g with wr at h u t t e ri n g ,

t he w ords I d o s o for B hi shm a s de s t ru cti on !

,
’ 1
The
pri n c e ss was re b orn i n d u e c ou rs e an d n e e dl e ss t o s ay , , ,
’
was t h e i n s t ru m en t o f B hi shm a s d e ath .

The R am ayan a affo rds u s m an y i n st an ce s of e xc e pti on al

powers an d privil e ge s a cqu ire d b y asc etic p ra ct ic e s Fo r .

e x am pl e t he t en h e ad e d R aksh as a R av an a h ad by l o n g
,
-
, , ,

an d p ai n f u l au st e ri t i e s obtaine d fr om B rahm a t he b oon

,

t h at n eith er god n or d e m o n sho u ld b e abl e t o d e p ri v e hi m

o f his lif e Pr o t e c t e d b y t his d e cre e o f t h e Cre at or t h e
.
,

t en h e ad e d R aksh as a b e c am e a t error t o t he w orld b u t

-
,

h e h ad i n his prid e om i t te d t o ask fo r p ro t e cti on ag ai n s t

, ,

m en . T aki n g advan t ag e o f t his o versight t he god Vish n u ,

b e c am e i n c arn at e as R am a an d after w on de r fu l a dven tu re s , , ,

e v e n t u ally d e str o y e d t he t ro u bl e s om e d e m on ki n g -
.

A s om ewhat si mi l ar s t ory is t old i n t he s am e e pic ab o u t

t he R aksh as a Vi radha wh o h ad by his asc e t icis m s Obt ai n e d ,

t h e pri v il e ge o f b ei n g p r oo f ag ai n st e v ery ki n d o f w e apo n .

H o we ve r he m e t his fat e at t h e h an ds o f R am a who o ver

, ,

c am e hi m n ot wi th weapon s b u t with his fists an d fl u n g

, , ,

hi m i n t o a d e e p pit .

I n t h e S iva P ur an a th ere is a sto ry of a da i tya (d e m on )

n am e d T arik a who , by v ol u n t arily u n derg oi n g e l e ve n di s
,

t i n ct f orm s or m e t h ods of s e lf m ort i fi c at i on e ach e xte n di ng -

,

o v e r a p e ri o d o f o n e hu n dr ed y e ar s so al arm e d I n dra ,

an d t h e l e ss e r g o ds t h at t h e y w en t t o B r ah m a t o b e s e e ch

hi m t o fr u s t rat e t he am bi t io u s d e sign s o f t hi s t e rri bl e

a sc e t ic .The S u p re m e B ei n g h ad t o adm i t t h at h e c o ul d
n o t r e sis t s u ch au st e ri t i e s an d was c o n st rai n e d t o r e w ard
,

t h e m ; b u t h e t old his p e t i t i one r s t h at af t e r g r an t i n g t he ,

b oo n fo r whi ch T arika had i nflict e d s o m u ch s u ffe ri n g u p on

hi m s elf he (B rahm a) wo u ld d e vis e a pl an o f u l t i m ate ly
,

’
n e u t ralisi n g t h e d em o n s l on g l ab o u r s Wh at T arika sou ght .

was , t h at h e sh oul d b e un riv all e d i n s t re n gt h an d t h at ,

n o h an d sh o ul d sl ay hi m b u t th at o f a so n o f M ah ade va
,

B b u P ot a p Ch a d R y s t slati o
1
a r n ra o
’
ran n .

22
S O M E C H A RAC T E RI S T I CS OF H I N D U AS CE T I CI S M
(t h e god T hi s b oon h avi n g b ee n co n c ed e d as ,

i n dee d i t had t o be t h e d e m on i n his pride of pow er , , ,

t yr an nis e d o ve r t he l e ss e r g o ds an d ke p t t he en ti re ,

uni v e r s e i n t e rr or hi m s e lf fe elin g p erfe ctly s afe as he

, ,

r e ck o n e d c onfiden t ly t hat t he au stere M ah ade va w o u ld

n e ve r b e t he f at h e r of a s on I n t hi s h o we ve r he m i s .
, ,

c alcu l at e d an d i n t he ful n e ss o f t ime his d e stru cti on was

,

1
acco m plish e d .

The ab o ve t hree le ge n ds of R avan a Vi radha an d T arik a , , ,

b e side s b e in g go o d e x am pl e s of privil e g e s wru n g by asc e t ic

p rac t ic e s fr om t he re l u ct an t g ods ill u strat e t he apprec i ati on ,

whi ch t he E astern has always f el t for t he crafty overre ach

i n g o f a d an ge r o u s foe .

I t is rel at e d i n t he Vishn u Pu ran a t hat a c e rt ai n

2

Ki n g U t t an apada had t wo wive s each of who m bo re hi m ,

a s on .On e day t he ki n g s e at e d on hi s t hr on e was fon d , ,

lin g on his kn e e t he son of his favo u rite wife whi l e hi s ,

o t h e r so n D hru va a child o f o nly fi v e ye ars o f age who

, ,
.

h app en e d t o b e p re se n t att em pte d quite n aturally to , , ,

sh are t he s am e privil e ge The fav ouri t e qu e en S uru chi .

, ,

who was at h an d l e ctu re d t h e litt l e o n e r at h er h au ghtily

,

on his u n b e c o m i n g p r e s u m ptu o u s n e ss t elli n g hi m t h at t he

'

t hr o ne was a fi t s e at fo r her son b u t c er t ai n ly n o t for hi m , .

Ab ashed an d in dign an t li t t l e D hruva wi t hdre w to hi s o wn ,

’
m ot h e r s ap art m e n ts an d t h e r e un b u rd en e d hi s b ur sti n g
,

h e art of i t s fe eli n gs of an ger an d m ort i fi c at i on His dis .

t re ss e d m o th e r t ri e d t o c on s ol e t he s u lky chi ld and ,

re c om m e n d e d wi t h tru e I n di an f e e li n g t he e xer cis e o f

, ,

p ati en ce and t he c u ltiv at i on o f a spiri t o f c on ten t m en t ;

’
b u t D h ru va was too d e e ply h u r t t o a cc e p t his m ot h er s
well m e an t advic e an d i n f an t th ou gh h e was s aid
-
, , , ,

Mot her t he w ords t hat you h ave addre ss e d t o m e for

,

m y c on s ol ati on fi n d n o pl ac e i n a he ar t t h at c on t u m e ly
has b rok e n I will e xert m ys elf t o o b t ai n s u ch e l evat e d
.

ran k th a t i t S h all b e re v ere d by t h e whol e w orld Tho u gh .

I b e n ot b orn of S u ru chi t h e b elov e d of t h e ki n g you , ,

shall b eh old m y gl ory who am yo u r s on Le t U t t am a m y , .

,

b rot her p osse ss t he t hr on e gi v en t o hi m by m y fat h er ; I

,

1
M oor
’
s Hi d P th n u an eon , L on d on , 18 10, pp . 5 1 53
-
.

2
Pro f ss H H Wi ls
e or . .
’
on s tr an sl at i on , bk . i . ch . xi . an d x ii .

23
TH E MYS T I CS AS CE T I CS AN D S A I N T S O F I N D I A, ,

wish fo r n o o t h er ho n o u rs th an s u ch as my own acti on s

”
sh all a cqui re s u ch as e ve n m y f athe r has n ot e n j o ye d
, .

Che rishi n g th e s e aspi rati on s t he ve ry p re co cio u s i n fan t ,

pri n c e i n qu e s t o f t he highe st h o n o ur an d gl ory f oll ow e d

, ,

a c o u rs e which n o E u ro p e an child or m an wi t h a si m il ar ,

o bj e ct i n vi e w c o ul d d re am of e n t eri n g u p o n D hru v a
, .
,

wh o i t will b e re m e m b e re d was o n ly fi v e y e ars o f age

‘

, , ,

l e ft t he ci t y an d e n t ered an adj oin in g t hi ck e t wh ere he ,

”
s aw s e ve n m u n i s sittin g u p on hid e s of t he bl ack an t elop e
1
.

E xpl ai ni n g t o th e s e h oly s age s t he circu m s t an ce s whi ch

h ad drawn hi m f o rt h fr om hi s roy al h o m e an d his ard e n t ,

wish e s for t he att ai n m e n t o f a loft y p o siti on h e re sp e ctfu lly ,

a sk e d for th e i r advic e The s ai n t s w ere g oo d e n o u gh t o.

list e n to t he child t o re co m m en d t he w orshi p o f Vishnu ,

an d t o i n s t ru ct hi m i n t he p at h h e sh oul d p u r s u e .

”
Pri n c e s aid t he ri shi s
, t h o u d es e rv e s t t o h e ar h ow t he
,

a d or ati o n o f Vish n u has b e e n p e rfo rm e d by t h o s e wh o h av e

b e en d e v ot e d to hi s s ervic e H is m i n d m u st fi rs t b e m ad e .

t o f o rs ak e all e x t e rn al i m p re ssi on s an d a m an m u st th en ,

fix it s t e adi ly on t h at b ei n g i n wh om t h e w orld is By .

hi m wh o s e t h o u gh t s are t h u s c on c e n trat e d o n on e Onl y

o bj e c t an d wh o lly fill e d by i t wh o s e spiri t is fi rm lv u n d er ,

c on t rol t he p raye r t h at we sh all r e p e at t o t h e e 1s t o b e

,

i n vari ably re ci t e d Om gl ory t o Va s u d e va wh o s e e ss en c e ,

is divi n e wi sd om wh os e f orm is i n scru tabl e o r is m an ife s t

, ,
’
as B rah m a Vish n u an d S iv a , , .

To w ork o u t hi s gre at pr oj e ct t he li t t l e p ri n c e re p ai re d ,

t o a h oly pl ac e on t h e b an ks o f t h e Ju m n a an d th e r e ,

f oll owe d v ery c are fu lly t he i n s t ru c t i on s h e h ad re c e iv e d

from t he ri shi s wi t h t he gratifyi n g re s u lt t h at Vi shn u
,

beca m e m an i fest i n hi s m i n d Whe n t his o ccu rre d t h e .

,

e ar t h its e lf was u n abl e t o b e ar t h e w e ight o f t h e di m i nu t iv e

asc e t ic The c el e s t i als t o ok al arm an d t ri e d e ve r y ar t t o

.
,

di s t urb an d di st ra c t hi s m e di t at i on s b u t all t h e i r e ffort s ,

w e re i n e ffe ct u al S t ill mo re al arm e d by t h ei r w an t o f

.

1
M a n i —a h ly s g
o a e, a pi us d l
o d p s
an d w d wi t h m
e ar n e e r on , e n o e o re

or le ss of a di vi n e n at u re , o r h vi g t t i d t i t by i gi d bs t t i
a n a a ne o d r a r ac on a n

m o r t i fi c at i on l i . The t i t e s a ppli d t t he i hi
e d t
o g t um b
r s s, an o a re a n er

ofp s s d i s t i gu i sh d f
e r on n e or t h i w i t i gs
e r r si d d i spi d P
n c on i e re as n re , as an a n ,

Vy s tc
a e, e D ws s D i.
”
-
a on
’
ct i o n a r
y o f H i ndu M ythology .

24
S O M E C H ARAC T E RI S T I CS OF H I N D U AS CE T I C I S M
s u cce ss t he l e ss e r gods app e al e d t o Vish n u addre ssin g hi m
, ,

thus : God o f g o ds s o ve re ign o f t he w orld god s u prem e

, ,

an d i n fi ni t e spi ri t dis tre ss e d by t he au ste riti e s o f D hru va

, ,

we h ave c om e t o th e e for p r ot e c t i on A s t he m oon .

in cre as e s i n hi s o rb d ay by d ay s o t hi s you t h advan c e s ,

i n c e ss an t ly t owards s u p e rh u m an p owe r by hi s d e vo ti on s .

T e rrifi e d by t he asc e t ic p ra c t ic e s o f t he s on o f U t t an apad a ,

we h av e c om e t o t h e e for s u cc o ur Do t h ou all ay t he .

fervo u r o f hi s m e di t at i on s We kn o w n o t t o wh at s t at i o n
‘
.

he a spi re s t o t h e t hr on e o f I n dra t he r e g e n cy o f t h e s olar

, ,

o r l u n ar sph e re or t o t he sov e r e ign ty o f rich e s o r o f t h e

,

dee p H ave c om p assi on o n u s l ord ; r e m o ve t he affli c t i on

.
,

from our b re as t s div ert t he son o f U t t an apada from per

,

s eve ri n g i n hi s p en an c e .

To all ay t he fe ar s o f t he gods an d for t h e ge n e ral g oo d , ,

Vish n u at l ast c am e d o wn t o e art h i n p e r s on an d gran te d

’
t he b oy a sce tic s wish t o o b t ai n
-
an e x al t e d s t ati on s u p e ri o r ,

”
t o all ot h e rs an d o n e t h at sh al l en d u re fo r e v e r
,
This .

’
am bi t i ou s d e si re wa s gr at ifi e d by Dhru v a s e x al t at i on t o t he

ski e s as the pole star of the vi s i ble u n i vers e

,
-
.

T hi s l e g en d differ s s om e wh at from t he p revi ou s on e s ,

i n asm u ch as it b ri n gs o u t v ery cl e arly t he id ea of t h e al m o s t

u ni m agi n abl e e ffic a cy o f men t al abs t ra c t i o n from hum an
affai r s wh e n c ou pl e d wi t h p r o f o u n d c o n c e n trati on of at t en t i o n

u p on t h e S u p r e m e B e i n g al on e This is a d e cid ed m odi .

fi c at i on of t he ori gi nal do c t ri n e an d will b e re ferr e d t o ,

agai n .

M yths an d l e g en ds sim il ar t o th os e alre ady give n i n

t h e p r e c e di n g p ag e s o f t his ch apt er m ay b e i n d e fi ni t e ly
m u l t ipli e d sh o wi n g t h a t a c c ordi n g t o t h e b e li e fs o f t he
, ,

H in du s if on e arden t ly c ove t e d an yt hi n g t he m o s t e ffe c t u al

, ,

c our s e t o foll o w was t o p rac t is e rigid au s t e ri t i e s s e lf de n i al ,

-
.

an d s u fferi n g t i ll i n sp i t e o f t h e l e ss e r g o d s
, ,
t he S u p r e m e ,

B ein g woul d b e c on strai n e d by i m m u t abl e an d p rim ordi al

,

laws t o gr an t t he de sire d b o on B u t m o r e th an t h at we
, .
, ,

als o l earn th at e v e n t h e S u p re m e B e i n g t h e c au s e o f t he ,

cre at ion an d i t s c our s e e n du re d i n t he f orm o f a m u n i

”
, , ,

t he gre at e st s elf i n fli c t e d p e n an c e s for t h ou s an ds o f y e ar s

-

o n t h e Gan dham ad an a m o u n t ai n s by t h e l ak e P u shk ara

'

an d o n t h e b an ks o f t he S ar aswat i app aren t ly to Ob t ai n ,

25
TH E M YS T I CS AS CE T I CS AN D S AI N T S O F I N D IA
, ,

sove reign ty ove r all c reat e d thi n gs Fan tastic al as the s e .

1

s t at e m en ts an d n o ti on s n o do u bt app e ar t o E uro p e an , ,

app r eh e n si o n we m ay p rofi t ably p au s e t o n o t e th at if t h e

,

H i n du we re t o p oi n t ou t that a ki n dre d idea s ee m s t o b e

at t he r o o t o f t he st o r y o f t h e C ru cifixio n as w e ll as o f t h e ,

m o t iv e assign e d fo r t h at a st ou n di n g vol u n t ar y hu m ili at i on

o n t he p art o f t h e D e i t y i t wo ul d b e i m p o ssibl e for t he
,

un bi ass e d s e e k er aft er t r u t h t o d en y t he validi ty o f t he

”
c on t e n t i on si n c e i n t he cro ss an d p assi on o f t he R e
,

d e m p t i on we dis t i n ct ly fi n d t he n o tio n o f t he e ffi c acy o f

v ol un t ary h ardships p ove rt y physic al s u ffe ri n g an d de at h
, , , ,

for t he att ai n m e n t o f a g re at o bj e ct otherwi se u nachi evable

even by t he Dei t y H i m self
2
.

I h av e n o wish t o l ab ou r t his p oin t b u t I m ay i n p assi n g ,

e m ph asis e t h e f a ct t h at i t is u p o n f ai t h i n t h e e ffi c a c y o f

s elf i nfli c t e d h ardships t hat H i n du asce ticis m with i t s

-
,

s t ran g e an d c ru e l p rac t ic e s an d its m arve ll ou s l eg e n ds o f

s u p e rh u m an fe ats re ally re sts an d th at a cc ordi n g t o
, , ,

Chris t i an d o ctrin e m an ki n d c ou ld n o t h ave b e e n re scu e d

,

f r om t he P owe r s of E vil by an y o t h er m e an s t h an t he bit t er

s u ffe ri n gs an d t he s u pre m e s elf sacri fi ce o f t he s e c on d p ers on -

o f t h e T ri un e Go d -
.

N o d ou bt t he Hi n d u h as arrive d at id e as o f asc eticis m

,

an d its fru its o t h er th an t h o s e e m bodi e d i n t he l e g en ds

ci t e d i n t he fore goin g p ag e s as for e x am pl e wh e n , ,

S an at su j at a s aid t o Dri t ar asht ra The w ords e st e e m an d ,

asc e t icis m ( p ra c t ic e s o f m u n i s ) c an n e v er e xis t t o g e th e r .

K n ow t h at t his wo rld is for t h o s e t h at are c an di d at e s for

est eem whi l e t he o th er w orld is for t h os e t h at are d e v ote d
,

” 3
t o asc e t icis m t he o bj e c t o f t h e a sc e ticis m c on t em pl at e d
,

i n t his p ass ag e b e i n g spiri t u al e m an cip ati on n o t w orl dl y ,

a dv an c e m e n t or t h e g ra t ific at io n o f d e si re s o f an ki nd
y .

B u t t h e v al u e o f au st e ri t i e s for t h e att ai n m e n t of p ract ic al

e n ds c o m m en d abl e or t he re ve rs e an d t h e p ower for go od
, ,

1
M h bh a a ar at a —Nan a Parv a se c t i on xii , . A zi s t t u nc a e t te i n t he I n i a d
Mu s eu m So t, u h K n si n gt o figu d i Moo s H i nd P theon pl at e 3
e n, re n r
’
u an , ,

re p s
re ent t he s fo u he ad e d B ah m as n sc t i c wi t h a r s ary i n o e h an d
r- r a a a e o n ,

a d
m e n i c an t s w
’
a te r - o t
p in an ot h er , a s ac ri fi i l sp
c a oo n in a h d
t ir , and

so on .

2
The u su al ac c om p an i m e n t o f te m pta t i ons i s a ls o n ot w an t i n g .

3
M h bh a a ar at a —U dyoga P arv a se c t i on , xli .

26
S O M E C H ARAC T E RI S T I CS O F H I N D U AS CE T I C I S M
or vil p o ss e ss e d by t he asc et ic are t h e c on siderat i on s
e ,

conn e ct e d with asce ticism whi ch are m o s t d ee ply graven

on t he I n di an mi n d an d thi s f a ct e n abl e s us t o app re ci ate
,

t he s t an dp oi n t fr om which t h e Hi n d u l ooks u p t o t he
s adhu wh o h as p ractis e d o r m ay p re t e n d t o h av e p r a c t is e d
, ,

au s t e riti e s a s on e wh o m i gh t h e lp hi m t o g ai n hi s e n ds
, ,

o r on t h e o th er h an d mi gh t h url a Cu r s e at hi m with t h e
, ,

m ost di re f u l c on s e qu e n c e s .

Al t ho u gh I sh oul d h e si t ate t o av e r th at t he p o ssibili t y

o f at t ai ni n g pow e r for g oo d or e vil has at an ti m e b ee n
y ,

for t he m aj ority of sadhus t he sol e i n du c e m e n t fo r ,

e m b raci n g t he a sc e tic lif e y e t t h e re c an b e litt l

, e d ou b t

t hat t hi s p o ssibili t y h as always had a c on sid e r abl e f asci n a

ti on for Hi n du s of all cl ass e s B u t t h ere are an d alw ays .
,

will b e am on gst go o d H i n du s m an y t i m id one s We ak er

, , ,

ve ss e ls who shr in k fr om p ain or physic al h ardships o f a

,

s e vere ki n d an d ye t l on g t o at t ain an d e n j o y t h e su b
,

s t an t i al fr ui t s o f a sc e ticism ; an d o t h er s als o m ystics an d ,

dr e am ers wh os e ferven t e m o t i on alism w ou ld disc o ver a

,

re ady m e t h o d fo r t h e r e uni on o f t he s o u l with t h e I n fi ni t e

S piri t wi t h ou t n e c e ss arily di sd ai ni n g t he p osse ssi on o f t he

,

m u ch cov e te d p ow e r o ver m an an d n at u r e whi ch s u ch

m ystic uni on wi t h t h e Al l S pi ri t mi gh t i n vo lve A c as e
-
.

i n p oi n t is t he D hru va m yt h n arrat e d ab o ve B u t t he ,

aspi rat i on s of t h e l e ss r e s ol u t e or m ore e m oti on al S pi ri t s

fi n d m o st c om pl e t e e xp re ssi on i n t he yoga sys t em d e scrib e d ,

i n a l at e r ch ap t e r i t s m or e s ali e n t f eat ur e s b ei n g pos t u ri n gs

, ,

abs t r acti on an d c on c e n t r atio n o f mi n d

,
.

Wh ere all b eli eve i n t he e ffic acy of asc etic p ract ic e s

for t h e at t ai nm en t o f e xt raordi n ary p o we r s i t is i n e vi t abl e ,

t h at t he rival ry o f cl ass e s an d o f s e cts sh ou ld b e p r o du c t ive

of com pe t i n g C l ai m s for t heir re sp e ctive l e ade rs i n re gar d
t o s u p e ri ori t y i n s u p e rn at ural p o t e n cy A charact eri st i c .

e x am pl e o f t hi s is t he m o re t h an t it anic ol d w o rld c on fli ct -

of which Vasi sht a an d Vi sv am i t r a are t h e h e r oe s b e t we e n ,

wh om s ays t h e M ah abh arat a

,
1
t h ere e xis t e d a gr e at ,
”
e n m ity ari si ng from r i va lry i n a u s ter i ti es
, At t h e s am e .

t i m e si n c e t h e t wo m en n am e d b e l on g e d t o t he s ac e rd o t al
,

an d wa rri or c as t e s r e sp e c t ive ly t h ei r an tag oni s m il lu s t r at e s ,

1
Cu st
’
s Or igi nal S ans k r i t Texts , v ol . i . p . 420 .

27
TH E M YS T I CS AS CE T I CS AN D SAI N T S O F I N D I A
, ,

t he ly and vigorou s stru ggl e for s u p re m acy b e twe en t he

e ar

c aste s t h e y r ep re s en t e d .

The m arv e ll ou s l e ge n d o f t h ei r en mi t y an d w arf ar e

is t o b e f oun d vari ou sly rel ate d i n b o t h t he gre at I ndi an
e pics ,
as w e ll as i n t h e Pur an as ; b u t o n ly t h e m ai n o u t

li n e s o f t h e s t o ry n e e d b e r e p rod u c e d h er e A cc ordi n g t o .

t he ch r onicl e r s Ki n g Vi sv ami t r a h ad i n o n e of hi s o rdi n ary

,

h u n t i n g e xp e di t ion s b e e n e n t ertai n e d v ery s u m p t u ou sly

by t he B rah m an s ag e Vasisht a i n his f ore s t h e rm i t age .

D isc o ve ri n g t hat t he h erm it was e n abl e d t o t h u s p ro vide

a m ag ni fic en t f e as t an d c o s t ly p re s e n t s t o o
, i n t h e m ids t ,

o f t he wi ld e rn e ss b e c au s e h e was t he f o rt u n at e p o ss e ss or
,
”
o f a w o n dr o u s c o w o f pl e n t y t he ki n g b e c am e cov e to u s
, ,

an d e xp r e ss e d a wish t o p ur ch as e t h e ani m al o ffe ri n g n o ,

l e ss t h an a h u n dr e d m illi on c ows o r e ve n hi s en ti re ,

ki n gd om for h e r
, .

Vasisht a h o w e v e r d e cli n e d t o p art wi t h hi s

, , c ow o f

pl en t y on an y t erm s wh at e v e r .

A t t hi s u n exp e cte d r e b u ff Vi sv ami t ra was so o ffen de d

,

t h at h e h au gh t ily r e s o lv e d t o e x er cis e his ki n gly pr e

ro g at iv e an d f o r cibly app r o p ri at e t h e o bj e c t o f his c u pi di t y .

B u t h e h ad mi sc alc u l at e d The m arv ell ou s c o w aft e r a

.
,

wonderfu l c oll o qu y wi t h h e r m as t er r e fu s e d t o m o ve , ,
’
an d ,
wh en ass ail e d by t h e ki n g s at t e n d an t s cre at e d o u t ,

o f h er o wn sw eat u ri n e , e xc r e m e n t
,
et c s u ch h os t s o f , .
,

s t ran ge warri o rs arm e d t o t he t e e t h t h at t he r oyal arm y

c oul d n ot s t an d b e fore t h e m I n t he b att l e whi ch t ook .

’
pl ac e on e hu n dre d of t he ki n g s s on s ru she d u p on Vasish t a ,

b u t w e re at on c e r e d u c e d t o a sh e s by a bl ast fr om t he
s age s m ou t h D e fe at e d an d hu m i li at e d by t h e B rahm an
’
.
,

t h e ki n g t u rn e d t o t h e o n ly re s o ur c e Op e n t o hi m an d ,

re s olv e d t o a cqui re s u p e rh u m an p o w e r by a sc e t i c p r a c t ic e s ,

s o l e ly with a vi e w t o an e ve n tu al t ri u m ph o ve r t he B rah m an.

Vasisht a .For thi s p u rp o s e he ab an d on e d hi s ki n gd o m ,

p ro ce e d e d t o t h e H i m al aya m oun t ai n s an d th er e for a l on g ,

p eri o d s u bj e ct e d hi m s e lf t o t he s e ve re s t au s t e riti e s A s a .

c on s e qu e n c e t h e gre at god Mah ed e v a app eare d t o hi m

, ,

p re s en te d hi m wi t h c el e sti al we ap on s an d i n s t ru ct e d hi m ,

i n t h e u s e o f t h e s e t e rribl e i n s t ru m e n t s o f d e s t ru c t i on .

E l at e d with p ride c on fiden t i n hi s n ewly acqui re d p o wers

, ,

28
T H E MYS T I CS AS C ET I CS A ND S AI N T S O F I N D I A
, ,

l ab our s A ft er re c overi n g his s elf c om m an d an d di s m issin g

.
-

t he f asci n ati n g n ym ph ki n dly t h e ki n g w en t thr o u gh ,

an o th er c o ur s e o f p e n an c e s for a t ho u s an d y e ars an d a t ,
.

t he e n d o f th at p e riod r e c e ive d fro m B rahm a t he di gn ity

o f m ahari s hi (grea t r i s hi ) H e l e arn e d from t he S u p rem e
'

B ei n g t h at h e had n ot ye t acqui re d t h at p e rfe ct c on tro l

o v e r hi s s en s e s whi ch w o u ld e n t itl e hi m t o t h e e x alt e d

dis t i n c t i on o f B rahm an ri shi whi ch he cov e t e d an d h ad -

s t riven for S o t he i n do m itable ki n g an d m ahari shi n ow

.
, ,

t hi m s lf th u gh a m ore rig oro u s c o u rs e o f au s t eriti e s

p u e r o ,

i n volvi n g t h e m o st p ai n ful b o dily t o rtu r e s t he m ai n tai ni ng ,

o f a bsol u t e sil en c e an d t he s u sp e n si on o f b r e at hi n g fo r
,

h u n dre ds o f ye ar s .

A s he c on t i n u e d t o s u sp en d his b reat h s m oke iss u e d ,

from hi s h ead t o t he great c on sternat i on o f t he t hre e

,

worlds . The gods r i shi s e t c , th e n a ddre ss e d B rahm a .

The gr e at m u n i Vi sv ami t ra h as b e en all u re d an d p ro vok e d

i n v ari ou s ways b u t still advan c e s i n his s an c t i t y
,
I f hi s .

wish is n o t c on c e de d he wi ll d e s t roy t h e t hre e wo rlds by

,

t h e f or c e of hi s au s t e ri t y Al l t he r e gi on s of t he u ni ve r s e
.

ar e c o n f ou n d e d n o ligh t an ywh ere

, shi n e s ; all t he o c e an s
are t o ss e d an d t h e m oun t ai n s c ru m bl e t h e e ar t h q u ak e s ,

an d t he wi n d blows co n f u s e dl y We c ann ot O B rahm a .

, ,

gu aran tee t h at m an ki n d sh all n ot b e com e at h eis t ic B e fore .

t he gr e at an d gl ori ou s s ag e o f fi e ry f orm r e s olv e s t o d e s t ro y

’
( e v e r y t hi n g ) l e t hi m
, b e p r o pi t i a t e d 1
.

A cc ordi n gly t he g o ds h e ade d by B rahm a app roach e d

, , ,

”
t he m i ghty asc e tic h ail e d hi m as , B rahm a n ri s hi an d -
,

p r on oun c e d a bl e ssi n g u p on hi m The Ks hat ri ya ki n g .

h ad th u s by th ou s an ds o f y e ar s o f i n t e n s e m ort i fi cat i on
,

a n d s t e m s e lf di scip li n e -
att ai n e d t he e x alte d ran k o f B r ah
,

m an h oo d .Ye t c u ri ou sly e n ou gh hi s sp e ci al an d fi n al
, ,

h op e of t ri u m phi n g o ve r Vasishta for whi ch i n f act he h ad ,

vol un t arily s u ffe re d an d e n dure d t orm en t s o f b ody an d

m i n d t h rou gh s u cc e ssive m i ll enn i u m s was n e ve r gr atifie d ,

for t hr ou gh t he m e di at i o n o f t he g o ds he was e ve n t u ally

, ,

r e c on ci l e d t o his s t i ll un v an qu ish e d fo e .

Fo r u s t h e n o te wo r t hy p oi n ts o f thi s m adl y e x t rav ag an t

,

l e g en d are : ( l ) t he e xc elle n t ill u s t rat i on i t affo rds o f t he

Mui r s S ans k r it Texts v ol i p 4 09
1 ’
, . . . .

30
S O M E C H ARAC T E R I S T I C S O F H I ND U AS CE T I CI S M
fi rm f ait h o f t he H i n du s i n asc e t icis m as a m e an s of ob t aini n g
s u p erhu m an p o we r of t he m o s t as t on ishi n g ki n d ; (2) the all
b ut u n app r o ach abl e di gni t y o f B rahm an h oo d whi ch was t h e ,

l e ss on t he B rahm an i n ve n t or s of t he sto ry e xp re ssly de si re d

t o i m p re ss u p o n t h eir gr o ssly cre dul o u s co un t rym e n .

A s t he ab ov e f an t as t ic s t ory rel at e s t o m yt hic al e ve n ts

o f an e x t re m ely re m ot e p ast i t mi gh t we ll b e t h o u gh t th at
~

, ,

t he ol d w orld of m arv e ls th erei n d e pic t e d ha s lo n g c e a s ed

t o e xis t for t he Hi n d u ; b u t t o sh o w t h at t h s is n o t t he
i

c as e I sh all n ow ou t li n e an o th er l ege n d whi ch pu rpo r t s t o

,

r e c o r d w on d er s o f q ui t e r e c e n t d at e arisi n g o u t o f t h e pre ,

te n sio n s of t he m o d ern S i k h s e c t i n t he p e rson o f its o rigi n al ,

f oun der B ab a Nanak (14 69—1539

,
as ag ai n st t h e far

old er s e ct o f t h e Yogi s
1
.

D u ri n g a h al t i n on e o f t h o s e e xt en sive w an de ri n gs .

whi ch B ab a N an ak l o ve d t o t ake i n qu e s t o f wisdo m hi s ,

fai t hful at ten dan t Mardan ah wen t ab ou t c olle ct in g fu el

for t h e i r dhoonee o r sm oky fi re No t far fr om t h ei r .

t em po rary c am pi n g gr oun d t h e r e a pp are n tly liv e d s om e of

-

t h o s e p e rfe ct Yogi s k n o wn as S i ddhas 2

an d as s oo n as , ,

Mardan ah h ad go t t oge t h er a s m all qu an t i t y o f fu e l on e ,

of t h e s e S i ddhas c am e u p an d wan t onl y s n at ch e d i t all

away . Mardan ah d e prive d o f t h e frui t s of hi s l abou r
,

wen t b ack t o his au gu st m as t er an d r e l ate d wh at h ad

occurre d Nan ak with ou t an y e xhi bi t i on o f tem p e r
.
, ,

i m m e di at e ly p rodu c e d s om e fu e l ou t of t he f olds o f hi s
fl owi n g garm en t s an d wi t h t h e s e m i rac ul o u sly acqui re d
,

c om b u s t ible s Mard an ah ki n dl e d t he ve sp er fir e s B affle d .

an d v e xe d t he S i ddhas r ais e d a vi o l e n t s t orm i n o r d er t o

,
’
e xt in gu ish N an ak s dhoonee ; b u t i t s onl y e ffe c t was t o
scat t er t h ei r own f ue l an d qu e n ch t hei r o wn h e art hs .

N otwi t hs t an din g t hei r s u p e rhu m an p o wers t he S iddha s ,

we re n ow re du c e d t o wan de ri n g ab ou t t o get woo d an d fi re

for th em s elve s ; b u t as B ab a Nan ak h ad co m m an d e d t he
1 Chp a . VI I I .

2
S i dd ha s — a ss f s m i di vi b i gs f gr t p u i t y
c la o e -
ne e n o ea r an d h li ss
o ne ,

wh o dw ll i t h
e n e re gi s f t h k y b t w t h
on o th
e s d th e een e e ar an e s un . Th y e

are s id t b
a o e i um b —D ws s Cl i c l Di ti
n n er . a on
’
ass a c o na ry o f H i nd u

The S idd ha s f
r e e rre d t i t h t xt
o n e e are som e o f t he ei ghty- ou r f p erfec t
Yogi s sp e c i all yv en e ra e t d by t h Y gi s e o ect ds e c ri b e di n C h p a . VI II .

31
TH E MYS T I CS AS CE T I CS AN D S AI N T S OF I ND I A
, ,

spiri t or g e ni u s of fir e t o
bs t ai n from h elpin g t h em i n a ,

t h e e n d t h e S i ddhas w e re o blig e d t o c om e t o t h e B ab a
hi m s elf an d hu m bly e n tre at hi m t o ignite t hei r fu el for
,

t he m . H owe ve r N an ak woul d c on s en t t o th eir re qu e s t

,

on ly o n c on di t i on th at Go rak n et h th ei r m u ch v en erat e d ,
-

chi e f sh oul d s e n d hi m on e o f hi s own e ar ri n gs an d o n e

,
-

o f his w o o d e n sh o e s as p re su m ably t ok e ns o f a ckn ow

, , ,

l e dgm e n t of d e f e at I n o rd e r t o t e s t N an ak fu r t h e r t h e
.
,

S i ddha s s m ar t i n g u n d er t h ei r di s c om fi t ur e a sk e d hi m t o
, ,

give t h em m ilk t h e re an d t h en H e did so i m m e di at ely .

by m erely c om m an di n g t h e w ate r i n a w ell cl o s e by t o b e

c on ve rt e d i n t o mi lk The t ran s m u tati on t o ok pl ac e I n
.

’
ob e di en c e t o t h e s ai n t s b e h e s t t he m ilk t hu s p ro d u c e d ,

w ell i n g u p t o t he s u rf ac e .

N an ak s n e xt m i racl e i n this c on t e s t was b ri n gi n g w at e r

’

from t h e G an g e s as t he S i ddhas had ch alle n g e d hi m t o

,

p ro vide t h e m wi t h f re sh rive r water for t h ei r m orni n g -

b ath . Mardan ah was s en t wi t h a sp ad e t o t rac e a c on

t i n u o u s li n e f r om t h e dis t an t riv e r an d was i n stru c t e d n ot ,

on an y acc o un t t o l o ok b a ck A s he dr e w t he sp ade .

al on g b ehi n d hi m a s t re am o f wat e r foll owe d i t b u t , ,

wh e n he n e are d t he sp ot wh e re hi s m as t e r was s e a ted ,

his curi o si t y p re v ail e d o ve r hi s h abi t o f o b e di e n c e an d , ,

lik e L o t s wif e he t urn e d his h e ad rou n d t o l oo k o v er his

’
,

sh ou lde r Th e s t re am whi ch h ad fl ow e d s o far c eas e d t o

.

a dv an c e an y f art h er .

”
N ow s aid t he S i ddhas b oastfully
, we S h all by ou r , ,

o wn pow e r c au s e it t o c o m e al on g
, b u t t h ei r e ffo rt s we re ,

all i n v ai n .

Chagri n e d by th e s e displ ays of Nan ak s s u p erio rity his

’
,

o pp on en t s r e s o lv e d t o p e r f o rm c er tain m arv els o f th ei r

o wn . S om e o f t he S i ddhas b e g an t o fly ab ou t or m ak e ,

t h e ir d e e r ski n s ski m thr ou gh t he fi rm am e n t lik e o rdi n ary ,

den iz en s o f t h e ai r On e b o as t fu l S iddha w o u ld ride on

.

fl am e s o f fi re an d an ot h er o n a b i t o f a sto ne wall as if i t
,
’
we re a ho rs e N an ak s s t olid i n di ffe re n c e t o th ei r di spl ays
.

o f e xtr ao rdi n ary p o we r e x a sp e r at e d th e s e th au m at ur gists

gre at ly an d t h e y Op enl y ch all e n g e d hi m t o do s ome thi ng

,

si mi l ar t o t he w o n ders th e y had S h own hi m if o nly for ,

’
hi s o wn c re di t s s ak e ; b u t t h e B ab a p ro t e s t e d t h at h e
3 2
S O M E C H ARAC T E RI ST I CS OF H I ND U AS C ET I C I S M
was hu m bl e m an an d had n othi n g startli n g to sh o w
a ,

them addin g h owe ver t hat if they woul d hide t h em s elve s

, , , ,

he wou ld fi n d th e m wh ere v e r t h e y m ight b e .

’
The S i ddhas a cc e pt e d t he gu r u s ch all en g e to t he pro
p o s e d gam e of hi de an d s ee k On e of th em fle w u p i n t o
- -
.

t he h e av e n s an d hid th e re an o th er s ou ght c on c e al m e n t ,

i n t he r e c e ss e s o f t h e far H i m al ayas a thi rd s e c re te d hi m ,

s elf i n t he b owe ls o f t he e art h ; b u t Nan ak s oon f o u n d

th em o n e an d all an d dragge d t h em f orth from th eir
, ,

hi di n g pl ac e s by t he sc alp l o cks whi ch a d orn e d t he crown s

- -

of th e ir h eads — .
’
Th e n it was N an ak s tu rn to hi de hi m se lf ,

an d th at o f t h e o th er s t o s e e k for hi m What he di d was .

t o re s olv e hi s c orpo real f ram e in t o i t s pristi n e e l e m e n t s

fi re ai r e ar t h
, ,
an d t —
wa er whi l e hi s s ou l was re u ni te d
,

with God The S i ddhas of co u rs e co u ld n o t fi n d t he

.
, ,

di si n t e g rate d gu ru ; b u t he h ad t old th e m b e f or e hi s dis

app ear an c e h o w th e y mi ght ge t hi m to c o m e b ack if t h e y

were u n abl e as he f ore s aw t h e y wou ld b e t o disc ov e r hi m

, , .

The y were t o pl ac e a s m all o fferi n g at t he f o o t o f t he tre e

whe re he u s u ally s at an d t o p ray t o God for t he re tu rn ,

o f N an ak wh e n he w ou ld re app ear
,
Ut t e rly di sc om fi t e d .
,

1
t h e y di d s o an d t he B ab a gr aci ou sly c am e b ack
, .

The re are i n b o t h H in du an d B u ddhist s t ory n o

,
‘

e n d o f si m il ar m arv e ll o u s c on t e s t s which stran ge an d , ,

whim sical as t h e y m ay app e ar t o t he m o de rn E u ro p e an ,

are ,
afte r all o n ly t he de lir i ou sly e xtr av ag an t I n di an
,

e qu iv al e n ts o f t he biblic al c on te s t s b e twee n M os e s an d
t he E gypti an m agici an s (Ex vii 8 an d b e twe e n . .

E lij ah an d t he p rie sts o f B aal (1 Kin gs xviii 21 or .

o f t he traditi on al st ru ggl e b e tw e e n S t Pe te r an d S t P au l . .

on t he o n e sid e an d S i m o n M a gu s on t he o t h e r 2
Mu sli m .

1
Jan am S ak h e e Gu ru A g d S ahi b e c e i ve d t he ac co un t fr o m B l
. n a r a a

(an o t he r of N sdv s) w it
’
an ak e o t e d a t te n d an t , an d h ad Pi r Em o ok h a t o r e it
d w
o n .

2
In t i hs
s t gt h t ri al
i d t i th p s
of f th R mre n , c arr e ou n e re en c e o e o an

Em p N t h t st si st d i i si g d d m t li f d i p ut t i g
eror e ro , e e c on e n ra n a ea an o e an n n

t p
o ti l p
r ac f t h l i m O f t h m gi i t h t h uld fly I t h fi st
ca r oo e c a e a c an a e co . n e r

s S i m M gu s f i l d u t t ly whi l t h p st l s f u s s u d d
ca e on a a e er , e e a o e , o co r e, c cee e .

Th t h m agi i t p v hi p w f su s t i i g hi m s lf i t h i l p d
en e c an , o ro e s o er o a n n e n e a r, ea e

f m hi gh t w
ro a d s m d f o tim 1 fl t i th
er , an t m sph ee e , or a e, 20
"

oa n e a o er e , n o

d u b t supp t d by i vi si bl d m s ; b t v t u ll y v m by t h
o or e n e e on u , e en a o erco e e

sup hu m p w of t h ap ost l s h f ll t o t h a t h nd bei g m ort ally

er an o er e e , e e e e r , a , n

C 33
TH E M YS T I CS AS C E T I CS A N D S A I N T S OF I ND I A , ,

h agi ography als o ab oun ds i n trials o f stre n gth b e tween

r iv al l e ad e r s o f t he p e opl e atte n de d with striki n g displ ays ,

o f m ir a c u l ou s pow e r o n t he p ar t o f t he o ppo n e n ts I t is
1
.

n ot t oo m u ch t o s ay th at r e ligio u s lite r at u r e e v e rywh e re

a ffo r ds e x am pl e s o f app e als t o stri k in g work s i n a tte st ati on

o f t he tru th o f t he m i ssi on o f t he p r oph e t or t he h o lin e ss

o f t h e s ai n t
2
.

Fr o m t he m yths an d le gen ds cite d ab o ve a f air ide a ,

c an b e f or m e d o f t he m oti ves which t he H in d u m i n d h as

de e m e d s u fli ci en t an d p rop er for t he m o st p rotra cte d an d

te rrible s e lf m ort i fi c at i on s i m agin able an d it is als o as
-
,

cle ar as d ay th at th e s e m o tive s h ave n o c on sci ou s or n u

c on sci ou s re l ation to e thi cs .

M ore ove r the re is n o de ny ing t he fact th at re g arde d

, ,

fro m t he ordi n ary stan dp oin t o f m orals t he c e le brate d ,

Hin du s age s d o n o t ge n erally co m m an d e sp e ci al admir a

t i on o u tside t h e ch ar m e d cir cle o f th e ir own c ou n try m e n .

T hi s n atu rally e n ou gh t he Ch ristian m issi on ary was n ot

, ,

sl o w t o disc over On this s u bj e ct t he R ev Mr War d . . .

o f S e ram p ore s ays

Th e s e t u pu shi v ees (asce tics ) are s u pp os e d t o h ave

'

b e e n t he au t h ors o f t he m os t an cie n t o f t he Hi n do o writ

i n gs i n s om e o f whi ch it is a dm i t te d s e n tim en ts are t o
, , ,

b e f ou n d whi ch d o h on ou r to h u m an n atu re B u t it is .

e qu ally c e rt ai n th at th e s e s ag e s w e re v e ry little a ffe cte d

in ju re d , d ys l te T h i s s t y i t l d by S t Ju s t in (s nd
di e d a fe w a a r . or s o . e co

cen tu y s v l t h s m gst t h
r ) an d e ly Ch i st i w i t s
e ra o er a on e e ar r an r er .

It m y b dd d t h t w l
a f m t di t i t h t S t M t t h w d f t d
e a e a e e arn ro ra on a . a e e ea e

t i d u b t bl m gi i s i E t hi pi
c er a n r e o a d t h t hi b t h
e v g li st
a c an n o a, an a s ro er e an e ,

St J h
. m o t t i u m ph
n, ca t f m e ou t s t wi t h t h hi gh p i s t f D i
r an ro a c on e e r e o an a

at E ph s u —L i e d L g ds f th E g li t
ves A p tl
an nd th e en s ,
o e van e s s, os es , a o er

E ly S i ts by M
ar a n A t h u B ll (Ge g B ll S s
, rs . r r e or e e on ,

A g d x m pl f t hi s i t h v y w d fu l s t y f S i di Ik hl f
1
oo e a e o s e er on er or o e

gi v i h p x f C l l T m l t L S i t d l I l m
en n c a . . o o on e ru e e
’
s es a n s e
’
s a .

A 2
t w it s ys Th m k i sh hi s t i s pi t t h i h s g ai s t
re c e n r er a , e on or an e r e r oe a n

e ac h th Wh t M s h u s t lls u s f t h d x m k s i b l
o er . a o c d by t h e o or o o on s a an ce e

t l s fJ h
a e f E ph s u s b u t t h M
o o n o ph y t e d Th m s f M g i
e a o e on o os s , an o a o ar a s

no t ut d o by i t h wh hon e u ts th p f m
e s f hi N t i
er en e re c o n e e r or an c e o s e s o r an s .

Th m e ks m p t d g i st
on h t h i di i d u lly d t h i hi v
co e e a a n e ac o er n v a , an e r ac e e

m ents w b s t d f by t h adh t s f t h v i u s p t i s i t whi h

e re oa e o e e re n o e ar o ar e n o c

th l t
e Ch i s t l gi l
a er t v si s
r t t h Ch u h —Th S p i i t
o o ca d
c on r o er e ren e rc . e r an

O i gi
r f Ch i ti n o M onas ti c i m by J m s O H
r s an y M A pp 172 173 s , a e . ann a , , .
,

(M t h ue en,

34
S OM E C H AR AC T E R I S T I C S O F H I N D U A S CE T I CI S M
by t he s e s en tim e n ts ; an d p e rh aps t he s am e m ight b e s aid
o f al m o st all t he h e ath e n p hi l o s o ph e r s Vu shi sh t hu in flicte d .

on hi m s e lf i n cre dible a cts o f s e v e r i t y ; b u t i n t he m idst o f

his de v o ti on s he b e c am e att ache d t o a h e ave n ly c ou rt e s an ,

an d c oh abit e d with he r fi v e t h o u s an d y e ar s Pu rashuru .

,

an asc e tic vi olate d t he d au gh t e r o f a fish e rm an wh o was

,

ferryin g hi m o ve r a r iv e r fr o m whi ch in te r c ou rs e sp ran g

,

t he fam ou s Vyas u an d t he au thor o f t h e Mu h ab h aru t u .

’
Ku pi lu an asce tic re du c e d Ki n g S aguru s six t y t h ou s an d
,
!

s on s t o ashe s b e c au s e the y m ist o o k hi m for a h ors e s t eale r

,
-
.

B ri goo i n a fi t o f p assi on kick e d t h e go d Vi shn oo i n t he

, ,

b r e as t R i che ek u for t h e s ak e o f s u bsiste nc e s o ld his

‘

.
, ,

s on for a h u m an s acrific e Do orv asa a s age was so

‘

.
, ,

addict e d t o an g e r th at he was a te rror b o th t o gods an d

m en . Ou rv v u an o th e r s ag e i n a fit o f an g er de stroy e d
, ,

t he wh ol e ra c e o f H oi hu yu wi t h fi re fr om his m ou th an d ,

Doov as a di d t he s am e t o t h e wh ole p o ste ri t y o f Krish u n .

J av ale e an asc e tic stan ds ch arge d with ste ali n g c ow s

, ,
’

fle sh at a s acrifi c e : wh e n t he b e e f was sou ght for t he ,

s ain t to av o id de te cti on tu rn e d it i n t o on i on s ; an d he n c e
, ,

o n i o ns are f orb idd e n t o t h e Hi n d o os The P o oran u s i n de e d .

, ,

ab o u n d wi t h a cco u n ts o f t he c ri m e s o f th e s e s ai n ts s o f am o u s ,

for th e i r re ligi o u s au s t e riti e s an g e r an d lu st s ee m t o h ave

1
b e en th e ir p re dom in an t vice s
War d s in dict m e n t o f t he ri shi s p art ake s o f t he obvi o u s
’
,

y e t t h e C h risti an m issi o n ar y whil e right as t o his f a cts

, ,
,

has e n t ire ly f aile d t o u n de rst an d t he m en t al co n s t it u ti on o f

t h e p an t h e is t ic H in du an d h as c on s e qu e nt ly b e e n u n able
,

t o app re ci ate t he e x alte d p o siti on o f t he s u cce ssfu l asce ti c

as c o m p are d b o th wi t h his fe ll o w m e n an d c e l e s t i al b e i n gs
-
,

o r t o p e rc e ive his c o m ple t e e n f ran chis e m e n t fr o m e thic a l

laws which m ight b e bin din g u p on ordin ary hu m an it y .

The s e p oin ts W111 b e c om e cle ar as we pro c ee d .

1
A Vi ew of the H i story, L i ter a tu r e, an d R el i gi o n f the H i n dus
o , pp 28 6 ,
.

28 7. d s sp ll g
Mr War ’
e in
. s
o f t h e S an k r i t n am e h a s s b e e n re t ai n e d , a l t h ugh
o

df s u hf
i t i fe r m c r o m t he m o e r n t e d s yl .

35
 C H A P TE R III

S AD H U S B E F OR E TH E P U B LI C AT F A I RS AND E L S EWH ERE

Sa dh u s as s s —Th i D ss—S ct M k s d t h i E xpl t i

e e n at Fai r e r re e ar an e r an a on

H i d
a rss i g re s i sn— —R o
V i u s O m t s a d t h i S i g ifi
ar e ar o rn a en n e r n c an c e

lfAl m b owls T gs A m s t s Ch s pi p s B h g m t s
’
S dh
a us s- ,
on , r -
re , ar a -
e , an -
or ar ,

t —H m i t g s —A s t i P
e c er t i s f v i u s Ki d s
a e ce c d D g s
r ac ce o ar o n an e re e

Mi As t i i sm s —P s t u i gs —S t a g P i fi t y R i te s
.

n or ce c o r n r n e ur c a or .

F t he
v ast arm y o f
s adhu s who roam
a b ou t I n dia e ithe r ,

al o n e or with c o m
p an io n s n ot m an y ,

h ave an
y s e t tl e d
h om e The re are i t
.
,

is tru e sc a tt e re d all ,

over t he c ou n t ry s u b ,

s t an t i al m on aste ri e s ,

b u t th e s e a ffor d o n ly
te m p orary ab o de s ,

an d s o far as I k n o w
, ,

are av ailabl e as re si

d e u c e s o n ly to a
p rivileg e d few wh o ,

h ave s o m e h ere ditary cl ai m o r p e cu n i ary i n te re st i n t he

e stablish m e n t .

A s a ru le t he sadhu s adopt a life o f e asy i rre spo n sible

, ,

i n d olen c e an d m e n dic an cy Th e ir c ale n d ar o f fairs an d

.

f e stiv als is c o m pre h e n sive an d a ccu rate The y k n ow .

we ll h ow t o ti m e t he ir d e vi ou s w an d e ri n gs s o as t o m ak e
th e m fit i n with t he fe stal e v e n ts o f e ach l oc ality within
the ir u s u al annu al r o u n d o f pilg ri m age s to s ac re d plac e s ,

wh e re on all i m portan t occ asi on s th ey c ong re g ate i n h osts

, , ,

36
T H E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S A I NTS OF INDIA
The ti lak s , or ti k as ,
foreh e ad m arks are c alle d m ay
as t he ,

n o t b e b eau ty sp o ts b u t th e y a re w o rth l o oki n g at fo r

, ,

th e y s erve a s i n sig ni a o f di ffer e n t s e cts For e x am pl e o n e .

,

s adhu b e ar s on hi s f ore h e ad t he tr i fa ia t h re e li n e s d rawn ,

u pw ar ds f r o m n e ar t h e m e e t i n g o f t h e e y e b r o ws t he c e n t ral ,

li n e red an d t he o u te r on e s whi te this b ei n g t he s e ct

, ,

m ark of t he Ram ats The re d li n e is p ai n te d wi t h roli

.
,

a p re p arati o n o f t u rm e ric an d li m e t h e whit e li n e s with ,

o i chan dan a a c alc are o u s cl ay p r oc u re d f r om D w ark a ou t

g p ,

o f a p o o l i n whi ch a cc o rdi n g t o t he Krish n a l e g e n d

,
t he ,

frail gopi s (m ilkm aids ) dr own e d th em s elve s i n de sp ai r

u p on h eari n g of t he d e ath o f thei r love r t he di vi n e ,

Krishn a The tripl e li n e s o f t he tri fa la are n o t wi t h ou t

.

signific an c e b ein g em bl e m atic o f t he t hre e g ods o f t he

,

Hi n du t ri ad t he c en tral li n e re p re s en tin g Vishn u an d

, ,

1
t h o s e on t he right an d l e ft r e sp e c t ively S iva an d B r ah m a .

Thu s t he tri faia s u gge sts an d re calls to mi n d n o t o nly t h e

Cre at or t he Pre s erv er an d t he D e stroyer b u t als o at t he
, , , ,

s am e tim e t he am our s of t he gay god Krishna on t he

,

b anks o f t he Yam un a .

I f for t he re d li n e i n t he tri fa la a bl ack o n e (p ain t ed

with ch ar c o al from i n c en s e offere d to Narayan a) a pp e ars
’
o n a s adhu s f ore h e ad h e is on e of t he p e c u li ar s e ct o f t h e
,

M adhavachari s '
.

A g ai n t he tr i p un dra,
th ree li n e s al on g t he foreh e ad
f ro m side to side p ai n te d wi t h vi but i o r s acre d ash e s
, ,

dis t i n guish e s t he S iv ait e foll o wer s o f S ank aracharya .

The Kowls (e xtre m e sak t as ) u s u ally b e tray th e i r c u l t by

p ai n ti n g th eir fo re he ads wi t h ve rm ili on diss olve d i n oi l .

The Da k hi nachari s h ave g e n e rally an u rdhapu n dra or ,

p e rp e n di c u l ar s t re ak i n t he ce n t ral p art o f t he f o reh ead

, ,

t he c o l o u ri n g m at e ri al b e i n g e i t h e r a p as t e o f s an d alw o o d
o r a s ol u ti on i n ghi o f ch ar co al o bt ai n e d f ro m a horn
” 2
fi re .

M ore e x am pl e s of
s e ct m arks n e e d n o t be give n n ow ;
b ut it is n e c e ss ary t o state th at s u ch m arks are n ot

1
Th at o t h
p er i n te r re t at i o n s of t h e tr i /ala ar e a ls ff d
o o e re , an d ac ce

need t su p i s us Vid e Mr W Ki n g s ’
no r r e . . C . . The Gnosti cs a nd

R em a i n s, p 3 01. .

3
Dr . J N
. . Bh at t ac h arj e e , H i nd u Cas tes a nd S ects , pp . 4 11, 4 12 .

3 8
 S AD H U S B E FO R E TH E P U B LI C A T F AI R S
p ec ul i ar t o pro fe ss e d sadhu s an d app ear als o on t he foreh eads ,

o f Hi n d u s wh o h ave n o t ab an d o n e d s e c ul ar life .

On e h as onl y t o l o ok i n t h e m o st c asu al way at an

a ss e m bl ag e o f s adhu s t o fi n d ou t t h a t am on gs t t h e m so m e

h ave t h eir h ai r b raide d an d c oil e d u p on t he an t e ri or p art

o f t he cr own o f t he h e ad an d th at o th e r s h av e th e i r ,

m atte d l o cks l o os e an d sh aggy Men who we ar th eir h ai r .

c oil e d u p c are fu lly u p on t he h e ad are i rre sp e ct ive o f s e ct , ,

c all e d j huttadarees ; t h o s e who we ar t he ir h ai r f allin g i n

dis order abo u t t he fac e bhou reeahs T hi s l at t e r s t yl e i s , .

ad o pt e d b a gr ea t n u m b e r o f m o nk s w h if w e ma
y o
y , ,

j u dg e by app e aran c e s e vide n tly de si re t o give them s elve s ,

a fo rbid di n g an d f orm id abl e l oo k

1
.

S h aven p at e s m ay als o b e s een wh e re ve r Hi n du

a sc et ics p articu l arly of t he m ore advan c e d orders c on
, ,

g g
r e at e .

M o st sadhu s
we ar stri n gs o f b eads ab ou t t h eir n e ck s
or c arry ros ari e s i n t heir h an ds rem i n din g o n e t h at it was ,

from t he E ast p ro b ably dur i n g t he t im e of t he Cru s ade s

, ,

t h at Chr is t en do m b orrow e d t h e s e aids t o d e vo t i on From .

t h e n at ur e of t he p raye r b e ads wo rn by t h e m i t is u s u ally -

e asy t o disti n gui sh b e twe e n t h e f o ll o w e r s of t he g od s

Vishn u an d S iva re sp e c t ive ly accordi n g as th e y fav o ur ,

b e ads of t he h oly b asil wo od (ocym u m san ctu m ) or t he

r o u gh b erri e s o f t h e ru dr ak s h a tree (elaeocarpu s gan i tru s ) .

I f t he y wear t wo n e ckl ac e s m ade o f t he w o o d o f t he b asi l

pl an t (t he tu lsi or tu lasi o f t he I n di an s ) t h e y are p rob ably ,

o f t h e s ec t o f t h e S wam i Nara an i s who w or ship K rishn a

y ,

( V ish n u ) an d a ls o his m ist r e ss R a dh a .

I t h as b e en stat e d by t he l at e S i r M o ni er Willi am s 2

an d o th e r s t h a t t h e r o s ar y l i h l
, (j p
a a m a a o r m u tt er n g C a
p )et -

o f t he v o t ar y o f S iva c on sists of 3 2 or 6 4 ru d rak sh a b er i e s

r : ,

1
Magi st at e s i n N or t h rn I ndi a are o ft e n t ro u ble d by pe o ple wh o
r e

ann o un ce t h e i r i n t e n t i o l t t i n g t he i h air g o w at s om e on e wh om
‘
of n e r r

t he y de s i e t o i j ur e
r Thi s i f o e c an j udge by t he m a i f st t e rr or e x
n .
, n n e

hi b i te d by t he pe s on ag ai ns t wh m t hi s ri t e i s di re c te d m u s t b e a v y
r o ,
er

st i g
r n ent f or m o f c oerc i on . F or t he s am e r e a on a ce t i c s s sw e ar t hi h i
e r a r

l s
oo e an d k ee p it un c ut , as S am s di d ;
on an d t he s am e i d ea p b bly
ro a

ac c o n t u s for t he ri t e s o f ce re m o ni a l sh vi g
a n of y ut hs
o , an d o f t he m u
o s
rn e r

a ft er d e at h —W . . Cr o ok e s , P o pu lar R el i gi on , an d F ol k lore -
of N orthern
I nd i a , i 23 9
—A t
. .

2
M odern I nd i a r : d
I n i an R o s ar i e s .

39
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S A I NT S OF I ND I A
an d th at t he foll o wer o f Vish n u affe cts one o f 108 b e ads ,

o f b asi l w o od B u t a s I h av e s e en ru drak sh a r o s ari e s o f

.
,

108 b er ri e s I p re s u m e t he r u l e r e fe rre d t o is n ot v e ry clos e ly

,

1
o bs e rv e d .

’
Th e sad hus s e lf ad orn m en t is n o t re stricte d t o n e ckl ac e s -

an d r o s ari e s S o m e o f th em w e ar ph alli c e m bl e m s d e p e n d
.

i n g from t he n e ck by w o oll e n t hr e ads o r f ast ene d on t h e ,

a rm s A few h ave s m all b ells at t ach e d t o th ei r arm s

. .

O t h er s w e ar g re at ear ri n gs A rm l e ts of i ron b rass or -

.
, ,

c o pp e r m ay als o b e s e en ad orni n g t h e s e asce tics Ne ck .

l ac e s of li t tl e st on e s glitt e r on t he thro ats o f a sm all n u m b e r .

O cc asi on ally o n e m ay b e m e t h avi n g his h ai r e m b ellish e d

with a m e tallic s u bstan c e c all e d swarm a m ak sh (g olden
fly ) A g ai n o n e has a c on ch sh ell ti e d on to hi s wr is t an d
.
,

an o th er vari ou s q u ai n t figur e s an d d evi c es p ai n te d or , ,

o n hi s arm s
2
e v e n b ran d e d , .

Wh at v ery qu eer e ccen tric an d b arb aro u s attem pts , ,

at b e au tific ati on s ays t he E u rop ean wi t h a con tem ptu o u s ,

s m il e as he t ak e s sto ck o f th e s e s t ran ge l ooki n g phi l o soph er s

,
-
.

Ye t qu ai n t an d si m pl e as th ei r ad orn m e n t s un d ou bte dl y
,

are t he s adhu s h av e e vid en t p rid e i n t h e m

, an d with g oo d

r e as on t o o for t o th e m an d t o th e i r f ell o ws th e y are

, lik e ,

t h e p al m l e af i n t he h an d o f t h e C hristi an f ri ar r e tu rn e d
-

fr om Pal e s t in e an d like t he di ffe re n t p e wter m e d als with

,

1
d i s u ss i whi h f ll w d t h
In t he c d i g f p p by t h R
on c o o e e re a n o a a er e e v.

H b t T h u st
er er S J b f rth S on ,i ty f A ts Th H i s t y f
. .
, e ore e oc e o r on e or o

th R s y i ll C u t i s g B i d w d s i d N t hi g ”
e o ar Si G
n a o n r e b , r e or e r oo a , o n c an e

s i m pl t h t h t f t h H i d u s y t h S i v s y f 8 4 b d s d
er an e ar o e n ro ar , e a a r o ar o ea an

t h V i sh
e a v f 108 ; b t wh y l
na a o th t th s d u m b 84 u en ou e arn a e ac re n er

( h
c a u ra s i ) i m d u p f th s u m b f t h 12 si g s f t h z di m u lt i pli d
a e o e n er o e n o e o ac , e

by t h u m be f t h 7 pl t s ; d t h t t h s d u m b 108 i si mi
e n r o e an e an a e ac r e n er s

l ly m d u p t h m
ar a e b i g u t d t h —t h i si g full d wani n g
, e oon e n co n e as r ee e r n , , an

m oon —i s t d f n th ea
y u d so t d t h t v y H
on e , i d u s r y ymen ou n er an a e er n ro a s

b lio se sth wh l i ui t f t h h s t s f h v ; d t hi s k wl dg
e o e c rc o e o o ea en an no e e

h f th t fig
e n c e or th m i r an s y u y s H w s t i sfi d f m t h
ure s e n o r e e . e as a e ro e

n u m b s f t h b ds s t u g
er o th m
e d th i m d
ea f di vi s i i 12
r n on e , an e r o e o on , n

g u ps f 7 t h t t h
ro o li s t Ch i st i
, a s i s li k t h B u dh e d
e ar e r an r o ar e , e e a a an

I sl m i t i
a s i s wc r o ar e i gi lly d i v d f m t h s i s f t h Hi d u s
e re or na er e ro e r o ar e o e n
—J
, .

l f t h S i ty f A t 2l t F b u y 19 02 p 27 5
ou rn a o e oc e o r s, s e r ar , . .

2
I t pp s h w v t h t s t m pi g t h m k wi t h h t i
a e ar , o e i er, a a n e ar a o r on s

co mm ly i on i t h D k hi n u se A si m i l p t i s m s t h v b
n e e n . ar r ac ce ee o a e een

k no w t th n ly Ch i s t i s d b p t i zi g wi t h fi w s t m pi g t h
o e e ar r an , an a n re as a n e

cr o ss t h f h d wi t h h t i
on e o re —P f ss Wi ls s R l i gi ou s S t
ea a o ron .
”
ro e or on
’
e ec s

o f th H i de fo t t p 28
n u s, o no e , . .

4 0
 S AD H U S B E FO R E TH E P U B LI C A T F AI R S
whi ch t he m edi aeval visit ors t o c el eb rate d shri n e s adorn e d
t h e i r h ats an d d r e ss e s
l
p re ci ou s s ou ve ni r s an d l e gible sign s
,

o f h oly pilg ri m ag e s a cc om p li s h e d by pl ai n an d m ou n t ai n .

Tho s e ru de arml e t s o f iro n b rass an d c o pp e r re c all t o , ,

mi n d an d are we ll k n o wn b adg e s o f visi t s t o t h e l o fty

-

Him alayan m on asteri e s of Pas u pat i n at h K e darn at h an d , ,

B adri n at h The n e ckl ac e of litt l e gl e am i n g s t o n e s an d

.

t he golde n fli e s t ell of far wan d eri n gs t o t he shrin e o f

K ali at Hi n galaj i n distan t B elu chi st an ; t he whi te c on ch
sh ell on t h e wrist i n di c at e s a pilgri m age t o R am e shwar i n
t h e far so u th ; an d t h e sym b olic al m arks b r an d e d c on
‘

s i c u o u sly u p on t he arm
p m a
y b e t h e e vid e n c e of t h e

favo u r of Krishn a obtain e d by a visit t o D wark a by t he

2
sea ,
where t he i n c arn ate d god ru l e d i n t he olde n d ays .

H avi n g ren o u n c e d t he world t he Hin du asc etics h av e ,

re du c e d th ei r b e l on gi n gs to a m i n i m u m e t b ei n g h u m an
y ,

the y h ave n ot b e en abl e to c ast everythi ng aside A s .

wan deri n g m en dic an t s de p e n di n g for thei r d ail y foo d u p on

t he ch ari t y of th ei r fe ll ow c oun trym e n an d of t en t rav er si n g
-
,

l on g di s t an c e s i n t he c our s e of t h eir ann ual t ou ri n gs m ost ,

o f th e m t ho u gh n ot all h av e i n p ractic e r e cogn is e d t h e

, ,

n e c e ssity o f p o ss e ssin g an al m s b owl an d a wat er po t - -

.

The se c on sist o f p e rh aps a m e re c o c oan u t sh ell or a

, ,
-

c al ab ash b u t i n m an y i n stan c e s t he sh e ll if e x am i n e d will

, , ,

b e f ou n d p ro vid e d with a lid a h an dl e an d a Sp ou t ; t h e , ,

gour d will als o p re sen t e viden c e s o f i m pro ve m en t b ein g ,

c u t i n t o a co n v en i en t sh ap e for e asy c arri ag e while b rass ,

i m i t ati on s o f t he g ou rd will n ot b e un c om m on S om e t ast e .

,

t oo is o ft en di spl aye d i n ado rni n g th e s e v ery ho m ely

,

ve ssels .

Am on gst m an y race s i ron is b e lie ve d t o h ave t he

vir tu e of sc ar in g away d e m on s an d e vil spirits it is
c ert ain ly b o th frien d an d foe t o e vil d ders A s a p r o te ct i on -
.

ag ain s t m ore s u bst an t i al e n e mi e s t h an wick e d S pirits — wild

b s s
e a t fo
, r e x am ple — t he ir on fi re t o n gs t o b e f ou n d i n t he -

1
S oci al E n glan d, e di te d by H . D T . rai l] an d J . S . M ann , v ol . 11
. pp .

3 74 , 3 7 5 .

2
M ar k i n g orb di g t h b dy wi t h t h Vi sh u sym b ls i
r an n e o e n o s k no w n as

bhaj ana . Am ongst t h ly Chri st i s m y b d d t h m

e e ar an , an r an e e na e of Chri t s
u p on t he i r fore h dsea .

4 1
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS O F IN D I A
p oss e ssion o f a m aj ority o f th e s e asce tics ou ght t o b e .

e ffe ctive sin c e in m an y c as e s t h e y are s o e xaggerat e d i n

,

b o th siz e an d we ight as t o b e c o m e form idable w e ap on s

i n str o n g h an ds e sp e ci all y wh e n th e y h app e n t o h ave
1
,

b ee n sh arp en e d al on g t he e dg e s .

A m on gs t t he s adhu s i m pedi menta will b e n o tice d t au

’

stav e s u s e d as chin re sts an d arm re sts k n own as bai ragu n s

- 2 -
, ,

o f diffe re n t s or ts a d apt e d to t he v ar io u s p o siti on s f av ou r e d

,

by t he co n te m pl at or wh e n silen tly e n g ag e d i n his p ro f ou n d

a n d pi ou s m e di t ati on s I u n derst an d th at occasi on ally o n e
.

o f t h e s e bai ragu n s m a
y co n c e al a sh ar p d agg e r I h av e .

n o t m y s e lf c o m e a c ro ss an o f this d an g e r o u s kin d b ut
y ,

h ave n o re as on wh ate ve r t o d ou bt the ir e xiste n ce e sp e ci ally ,

whe n I c all to m in d th at e ve n t he c ru cifix its e lf (t he

cru cifix o f Cre m a) has b e en s acrilegi ou sly u s e d as a re
c e t ac le for a c r u e l an d tre ach er o u s p on i ar d
3
p .

As n ar c otic d ru gs are i n fav o u r wit h Hin du asc e tics ,

ch aras s m ok e rs am on gst th e m will n at u rally h av e th e ir

-

chi llu m s (pip e s ) st ow e d aw ay so m e wh e re ab ou t th e ir p e rs on s

an d c on fi r m e d bh an g dri n k e r s will n o t fi n d a st o n e m o rt ar
-

an d w o o d e n p e s t l e t o o b u r d e n s om e e v e n wh e n w ayfari n g , .

I t wou ld b e an in te re s t in g phil os ophical stu dy t o e n de av ou r

t o t rac e t he i n flu e n c e o f t h e s e p ow e r fu l n ar c o tics on t he
m in ds an d b odi e s o f t he iti n e ran t m on ks wh o h abitu ally
u s e th e m We m ay b e s ure th at th e s e he m p dr u gs kn own
.
,

s i n c e v e ry e arly tim e s i n t he E ast are n o t irre sp on sible for ,

s o m e o f its wild d re am in gs whilst th ere is g o o d re as on t o

1
,
‘

b e li e ve th at the y h ave ofte n give n t he u s e r p ro te cti on fr o m

m al ari al an d o th e r di s e as e s .

D im in u tive idols i n ston e an d m e tal o r pictori al re

p re s e n t ati on s o f t he de itie s will b e f ou n d i n t he m in i atu re
ch ap e ls which s o m e s adhus se t u p wh e n th e y h alt for
while a t an y c o n ven i e n t sp o t ; an d al on g with t he id o ls ,

1
Vi de i n i t i al l e t t e r , C a VI I S e c t i on I I h p . . .

2
An arm re t i s s us
ed as t he i n i ti a le t t e r of C
-
l hp
a . VII I S e c t i on I I
. .

3
S k etches a nd S tu d i es i n I tal y and Greece, by J h A o n ddi n gt on S m o n d y s ,

v ol . i . pp . 219 —21 .

4
h i s t i mi ssi
Th e C y s s t i ll y m k s A g t u m b f
r an on ar ar c a ca re ar , re a n er o

Hi d u m d
n s i t s li v i s t t f p p t u l i t x i t i
o e rn a n d ll t hi s
e n a a e o er e a n o ca o n , an ca

s t u p f t i whi h i s s f m s m k i ng i t xi at i g h bs fixi g th m i d
e ac on , c ar e ro o n o c n er ,
n e n

God —Wa d s H i d p 28 3
” ’
on . r n us, . .

4 2
 A B A I RA G I AN D HIS H E R M I TAGE .

FI G 1
To fa ce p a ge 42
. .
.
 TH E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D
, , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
th ou gh the y m ay b e are ce rt ain ly n ot c om fortab le an d
, ,

c ou ld b e h abit able on ly i n a w arm c li m ate .

To a cc oun t for his l on g r e st at t he f oo t o f t he p e e p u l

t re e (F i c u s r e li gi os a ) wh e re he h ad e st ablish e d hi m s e lf t he ,

m an d e picte d i n Fig 1 a s adhu o f t h e B air agi o r d e r i n f orm e d

.
, ,

m e t h at h e h ad c o m e t h e re i n o b e die n c e t o a g raci ou s
s u m m on s fr o m t he g odde ss D e vi whos e te m ple was al on gside
, ,

an d th a t he w o u ld m o v e on wh e n t he divi n ity o f her g oo d ,

pl e as u re sh o u ld dire ct hi m i n a visi on as b e fore t o le ave

, , ,

t he pl ac e . Within his she d he h ad in stall e d an i m age o f

R am a Ch an dra b e f ore which he was e n able d th ro u gh t he
, ,

ki n dn e ss o f frien ds an d ad m ire rs t o h e ap u p e ve ry d ay a
,

s m all pile o f r os e p e tals . O u tsid e as t he illu strati on

,

sh ows th ere lie s a rath er s u spici ou s l ookin g b o ttl e while

,
-
,

t he h e r mi t hi m s e lf is s e e n b u sy g ri n din g i n a st on e m ort ar , ,

s om e dr ie d l e ave s o f t he h e m p pl an t (can nabi s I n di ca )

p re p arato ry to i n fu si on i n c o ld w ater i n orde r t o e n j oy his
,

f av ou rite app e tis e r an d i n t oxic an t bh an g .

O f t he m e n i n t he gr ou p Fig 2 t he on e with ave r te d

,
.
,
i

fac e was n ot actu ate d by an y fe e li n g of m ode sty o r

s e lf de p re ci ati on fr om facin g t he c am e ra He j oin e d t he
-
.

o th e r s c as u ally whil e t he i n st ru m e n t was b e i n g adj u ste d ,

an d wh e n a sk e d t o a ss u m e a s u it abl e a ttitu d e
, p om p ou sly ,
’
re pli e d th at b e o b e y e d n o m an s b e h e s t s r e cog ni sin g n o ,

m aste r s av e R am a Ch an d ra I t re qu ire d s om e li t tle

.

p e rs u asi on o n t he p art o f his b ro th e r sadhu s t o i n du c e hi m

e v e n t o t ak e u t h e u n g ra ci o u s an d u n g ra c e fu l p os e i n
p
whi ch he was ph o t ograph e d H e m igh t p e rh aps h ave
.
, ,

b ee n a shady ch ara cte r w an te d by t he p o lice an d m ight ,

h ave acte d as he did for p ru de n tial re as on s o r which , ,

is qu ite as p rob able his ru de n e ss m ay h ave b e e n d u e

,
.

m e r e ly t o an o bj e cti on t o b e phot ogr aph e d o n t he g rou n d ,

th at an y like n e ss t ak e n c arrie s away wit h it s o m e vi rtu e

fro m t he o rigin al— p ossibly a p or ti on o f t he livi n g s ou l
t his b e in g by n o m e an s an u n c o m m on s u p e rsti t i on .

L ay H in du s are o ft e n s u bj e cte d by t h e B rah m an s

t o p e n an c e s for o ffe n c e s s u ch a s t h e ill tre a tm e n t o r -

killin g o f a c ow or for s o m e o t h er e qu ally s e ri ou s b re ach

,

o f t h e e thic al o r c e re m o n i al l aw An d o cc asi o n ally s adhu s

.
,

fo r re as on s o f th e ir o wn a lre ady i n dic ate d v ol u n t arily ,

44
 S AD H U S B E F O R E
'

TH E P U B LI C AT F A I RS
un de rg o i n c onv em en ces p ain s an d e ven te rrible t ortu re s
, , .

I n d o in g so t h e y f o llow t he traditi onal p ath an d d o n o t ,

e x e r cis e an y sp e ci al i n ge n u i t y i n t he i n v e n ti on o f m e th o ds

o f s e lf t or m e n t
-
.

On e fav our it e m o de of m ortifyi ng t he fle sh i s t o si t

u n d e r t he Op e n c an o py o f h e av e n gi r t a b ou t with fi v e s m a ll ,

fi re s 1
. S om e t im e s o n ly f ou r fi re s are light e d t h e s u n ,

o v e rh e ad b e i n g r e g ard e d a s t he fifth on e ; an d an i n t o le r

abl e fi r e h e is t o o o n a cl o u dl e ss s u m m er d ay i n t he pl ai n s
, ,

o f I n di a A s a ru le t his arr an gem e n t is de v o id o f sin ce rity

.

an d is i n d ee d a m e re p e r f or m an c e or sh o w Ye t t he fir e s .
,

in sign ific an t t h ou gh th e y b e s erve t he ve ry pr act ic al ,

o bj e ct o f adve r tisi n g t he s adhu an d att ra c t i n g a d m i r e r s

an d cli en ts S adhu s wh o f ollow this p r actic e are k n ow n as
.

hadhu n i s
pan c .

An othe r way of ffli cti n g

su bdui n g t he b o dy is
a an d

to sit an d sle e p o n a b e d o f spik e s I have e ven s e e n a .

’
s adhu s w oo de n sh oe s b ristlin g i n side wit h a cl os e cro p
o f p o i n te d n ails Th at t he di sc om for t i n s u ch c as e s d u e
.

t o t he c on st an t c on t act of acu t e S pik e s wi t h s om e p or t i on

o r o th e r o f t he al m o st n ak e d b o dy is r e al the r e c an b e ,

li t tle d ou b t b u t it n e e d n ot b e ve ry in j u ri ou s t o h e alt h
, .

Re fe rri n g i n c onn e cti on wi t h this p r ac t ic e t o B hi sh m a

, , ,

on e o f t h e h e ro e s o f t h e M ah abh ar at a Mr W Cr ooke s , . .

writ e s : To t he H in du n o wad ays h e is c hi e fly k n o wn

by t he tragic cir cu m stan c e s o f hi s de ath H e was .

c overe d all o v er by t he inn u m erable arr ows di sch arge d at

hi m by Arj u n a an d wh e n h e fe ll fr om his ch ari o t he was
,

u ph e ld fro m t he g ro u n d by t he arr o ws an d l a o n a c o u ch
‘

y
o f d ar ts This s ara s ayya or arr ow b e d o f B hi shm a
.
- -

is p rob ably t he ori gi n o f t he k antaha sayya or t h orn -

co u ch o f s om e m o dern B air agis who li e an d sl ee p on a ,

” 2
c ou ch s t u dde d with n ails To t he di scre dit o f hu m an
.

n at u re it m u st b e ad m itte d t h at d e c e pti on s an d im postu r e s

e ve n i n asc e ticis m are u n for tu n a te ly in e vit able An .

In dian ge n t lem an n ot h owe ve r t oo favou rably di sp os e d

, , ,

t owards t he asce t ics ass u re d m e th at he o n c e fou n d ou t

,

th at a s adhu wh o s e p rac t ice i t was t o sit i n pu blic on spik es

1
F o i ll u s t at i ons of t hi s an d o t her form s of as ce t i ci s m vi d e Fr on t i sp i e ce
r r .

2
The Popu la r R el i gi on and F ol k lor e
-
of Northern I ndi a, v ol. i . p . 92
.

45 .
TH E MY S T I C S , AS C ET I C S , A ND S AI NTS O F I ND I A
had cu nni n gly taken t he p re c au tio n t o p ro te ct his b u tto cks
with thi n iron pl ate s s o art fu lly m ade with irre gu lar s u rface
as t o d e c e iv e alm o s t an y on l o ok e r i n t o t he b e li e f th a t his

fle sh was b e i n g pit te d by t he cru e l p oi n t s .

Th ere are s adhus tharasr i they are c alle d who

will st an d le an i n g on so m e k i n d o f re st for d ays or we e ks
t oge th e r with wh at p ain ful fatigu e an d h ardship it is e asy
,

t o im agi n e O cc asi on ally i n thi s fo rm o f s e lf t ortu re on ly

.

o n e le g i s u s e d t he o th er b e i n g dr aw n u p
,
.

A p rom i n e n t fe atu re i n t he asce tic p ra ctice s of s o m e

sadhu s is h an gi n g h e ad d own w ar ds s u sp e n d e d f r o m t he
b ou gh o f a tre e or a s u itable fram e w ork for p erh aps h alf ,

a n h o u r at a tim e S u ch sa dhu s are k n o wn as u rdham u k hi

.
,

Fig 3 b u t m u s t b e e xc ee din gly rare as I h ave c om e acr o ss

.
, ,

o n ly a s i n gl e e x am pl e o f this cl as s de scrib e d late r on i n

,

Ch ap I !. .

S e v e re r f orm s o f v o lu n t ary t ortu re are als o kn own as ,

wh e n a m an t i e s his arm t o a s u pp ort s u ch as a light b am b oo ,

s o a s t o k ee p it e r e c t o v e rh e ar d till at l ast t h e dis u s e d li m b

, , , ,

r e d u c e d t o a shru n k e n an d rigid c on di ti on r e fu s e s t o b e ,

l owere d ag ain to its n atu ral p o sit i on Whe n b o th arm s .

ar e s o d e alt wi t h t he s u bj e ct b e c om e s a h e lpl e ss c rippl e

,

e n t i re ly d e p e n d e n t for e ve rythi n g u p on t he ki n d n e ss o f
o th e r s S adhu s wh o p ractis e t his f orm o f au st e rity are
.

k n own as u rdhabahu s A m o dific at i on o f t he l as t

.

m e n t i on e d p ractice is t he cl osin g o f t he h an d t ill it

b e co m e s u s e le ss an d t he lon g n ails g row like cu rvin g t al on s
fr om t he cram p e d an d atr ophie d fi n g e rs or e v e n fi n d the ir ,

way t h r ou gh t he fle sh b e tw ee n t h e m e ta c arp al b on e s o f
t he h an d .

B u ryi n g ali ve or p erform i n g sam a dh as it is c alle d

, ,

is a ve ry rare ye t we ll k now n p racti ce am on gst Hin d u

-

r e ligi ou s d e v o te e s The p e ri o d o f i n h u m ati on m ay b e f ro m

.

a fe w d ays t o fi v e or six w e e ks an d if t he b u rie d m an

, ,

live s o u t t he fixe d ti m e he e m erg e s fro m h i s te m p orary

,

g rav e an u n d ou b t e d s ain t an d an o bj e c t o f p op u l ar v e n e ra s

t i o n e v e r aft e rw ards The a dv an t ag e s i n vi e w are g re at

.

e n o u gh t o te m pt t he m ore am bi t i o u s s adhu ; b u t s am adh

is att e n de d with t he graves t ris ks e ven wh en u n de rtak en ,

by cu nn i ng an d desig nin g i m postors for the ir own

4 6
 (A J Co rn b r i d ge 8: Co B o m b ay
h
.
.
. . ,
P ot o ]

AN U R D H AM U K H I S A D HU .

To fa c e pa ge 46 .

F l a. 3 .
T H E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
an d fi n ally adm itte d in t o swarga t he ab o de o f b li ss
was ,
1

an d e v e r s i n c e t h e n m an y a s adhu h as r e s o l u te ly di re cte d

his f o otste ps t owards t he s am e g oal has g on e alo n e u p on ,

t he s am e g re at j ou rn e y a cro ss t h e ru gge d m o u n tain s a n d ,

has n ot t u rn ed back .

F astin g is t o o o bvi ou s a p e n an c e t o h ave b e en o ve r

l ook e d by s adhus as a m e an s o f m acerati n g t he b o dy ; an d
abs t i n e n c e c om bi n e d with vigils an d m e di t ati on s c arri e d t o
, ,

e xce ss m u st i n m an y c as e s h av e le d a m o n gst t h e m t o t h o s e
,

h allu cin ation s an d e cstasie s o f an e n fe eble d con sti t u t i on

which are as f am ili ar i n t he hist ory of t he s ain ts o f Christe n
d om as i n t h at o f ot h e r A si atic re ligio n s .

Vows o f silen c e are n ot u n c om m on an d how e v e r tryi n g , ,

i n t he obs e rv an c e m ay b e ve ry co n v e ni e n t u n d er e asily c on
,

c e i v ab l e c i rc u m st an c e s .

O n c e o n ly I m ad e t he acqu ai n t an c e o f an asc e tic who

h ad afflict e d hi m s e lf by l oadi n g hi s p e rs on with m assiv e
i ron ch ain s w eighi n g i n t he aggre g at e abo u t fi v e h un dre d
,

p ou n ds an d he was a M u h am m ad an On t he o pp o si t e
,
.

p age is a ph o t o graph (Fig 4 ) o f thi s m an t o wh om I sh all .

,

r e f e r ag ai n i n a l at e r ch ap t er .

S adhu s s om e t i m e s m u t il at e t h e m s elve s c ru elly as o n e ,

did t o m y kn owl e dge i n an u n gove rn abl e fit o f t em p e r

, , .

H is d e s ert e d wife had f oll owe d hi m t o a gre at g athe ri n g

o f asc e t ics an d i n t h e h e ari n g o f m an y
, , e n t r e at e d hi m t o ,

re tu rn h om e with he r A few of t he asce tics withi n e ar.

sh ot m ade j e e ri n g o bs ervat i on s i n re gard t o t he n e w sadhu

an d hi s p r e dic am e n t which st un g hi m i n t o a f e v er o f r ag e
, ,

t o b e c ool e d onl y by t he sh arp e dg e o f a kn ife an d a d an gerou s

h aem orrh age I l e arn e d s u bs e qu en tly t h at t he c as e was by
.

2
n o m ean s an u n u s u al o n e .

1
s t y i t ld f m t h M h bh t i n m y Gr e t I ndi
The or s re o ro e a a ar a a a an E p i cs
pp 19 4 19 5 .
, .

2
S lf m u t i l t i
e -
p m p t d by li g i ou s f ti i s m i
a on ro t v e re an a c s no e en n ow a

t hi g f t h p s t i
n o Ch i s t i
e Eu p a As n x m pl I m y
r an ro e . an e a e, a ci te t he
f l l wi g i s t
o o n nd d i t h D ily M il f 7 t h M y 19 01
an ce re c or e n e a a o a .

F ANATI CAL S E LF -
MU TI LATI O N
(Fr om o ur o wn Corre sp d
on ent ) .

Sr . P E T ER S B UR G, F r i day, 3rd M ay .

I v an Pl ot nik off, a p as
e an t , t w ent y gh y
-
ei s
t e ar of age , r e i i n a t B i e sd g
l ov od sk , i n t he gv
o e rn m e n t o f Kh ark o fl,
'

c alle d at t he p u bli li b ry t h
c ra e re

48
A FAQU I R W E I G HT E D W I T H H E AV Y CH AI NS .

To face p a ge . 48 .
 S AD H U S B E FO R E TH E P U B LI C A T F AI R S
A t ce rtai n p eriods ye ar particul arly i n t he of t he ,

m o n th of A p ril m an y m en o f t he l o we r c ast e s o bs e rve

,

te m p orarily t he discipli n e of t he asc e t ic s e ct s an d m ay ,

t h e n b e se en t o ch eerfu lly un d erg o s e lf i n fli c t e d t o rt u re s -

o f a c ru e l k i n d as fo r e x am pl e p assi n g thi ck m e t al sk e w e r s
, , ,

thr o u gh t he t on gu e t he ch ee ks or t he ski n o f t he arm s , , ,

t he n e ck an d t h e sid e s
,
1
walki n g u p on live ch arc oal an d , ,

r olli n g u p o n th o rn s Am on gst t he m otive s m os t c omm onl y

.

a scrib e d t o th e s e t e m p orary l ow c ast e asc et ics are t he -

gr at ific ation of vani ty an d t he de si re for t he p e cuni ary gain

whi ch th eir perform ances u s u ally b ri n g t h em ; b u t t he re
c an b e n o d ou bt t h at m an y o f t h e m h o p e an d l ook for , , ,

o th er an d l e ss o b vio u s rewards for th ei r s elf i n fli c t e d -

s u ffe rin gs .

Not t o all m en is it given t o s u b m it v ol un tarily t o t h e

m o re tryi n g au st e riti e s an d th er e f ore as m ight h av e b een , ,

e xp e ct e d we fin d a n u m b er of m i n or asc e ticis m s i n dul g e d

,

i n for t he s ak e of at t racti n g atte n ti on an d p e rh aps gai ni n g

s om e p e cu n i ary advan t age For e xam pl e a sadhu wh o m I .
,

s aw at a re ligi o u s f e stiv al a big an d p o w e rf ul f e ll o w h ad , ,

a s t r o n g wo o d e n fram e work ere cte d t o su pp ort a hu g e

e art h e n w ar e j ar p ro vid e d wi t h a p e r f o rati on at t h e b o tto m ,

from whi ch a stre am of water c o ul d flow o u t R o un d ab ou t .

there were at l east twen ty fi v e l arge p o ts o f wat e r t o re -

,

ple ni sh t he gr eat j ar when i n u se U n d e r t h e j ar t h e .

an d as k e d for a b ook whi c h w o ul d t e c h hi m t o li v e i trut h as h e a n ,

exp ss d hi m s l f H w gi v t h H ly G sp l A f w d ys ft w ds
re e e . e as en e o o e . e a a er ar

a r u m ur sp d b u t t h pl t h t Pl t i k ff h d t ff hi h d
o re a a o e ace a o n o a cu o s an .

Wh Pl t i k ff h d
en d i t h G sp l t h t p p ul t x t A d i f t hy
o n o a re a n e o e a o ar e , n

ri ght y e ff d t h
e o plu k i t t (M t t v
en ee , h t k it i c li t l ou a . . e oo n a era

s s d b i gi
e n e , an , st t f x lt t i d i d d t h
e n n a a e od th t p e d a a on , ec e en an e re o r o ce e

wi t h t h p t i f m vi g hi w y N t fi di g h w v
e o era on o re o n wl s o n e e . o n n , o e e r , an a

wi t h whi h h c l d d i t h g t h ld f
e c ou x o d wi t h ,m k bl e o o o an a e, an re ar a e

c oo ln ss b g t h p t h w i st f hi h d whi h h t ff ft t h
e e an o c o e r o s an , c e cu o a er e

f u t h bl w
o r o .

Pl t ik ff i
o n w l yi g i t h S t
o s no b i l k y H spi t l whi t h
n h w t
n e ar o e s o a , er e en

on f t I t i m zi g t h t h
oo . s a ld m a g t w lk di st
n a f b ut e c ou an a e o a a an ce o a o

fift t w t y m il s ft
e e n or h vi n g l st m u h bl d
en e a er a o so c oo .

1
Th s pi i gs lt h ugh v y l a d s m i gly u l d t I
e e e rc n , a o er re a , n ee n cr e , o no ,

m u st dmi t ppe t b t t d d wi t h s i u s i
a , a ar o v i e a I h v en e er o n c on e n e n ce . a e

a l w ys s
a th m a i d
een t by e mast u p hi h l
c rr e di s i pl s
ou d a er on s c e as o r c e , an

on e v y er si t h i m p ssi I
oc c a on iv d t th tim w
e th t th
re h l
on re c e e a e e as a e c e as

w e re d hyp t i i fl
un er — id
no st gt h d by m y k n wl dg
c n u e n ce an ea re n en e o e e

o f th f t th t p
e ac t i c l hyp at i sm i t
r ac w t hi n g i n I di a
a no s no a ne n .

D 49
T H E M YS T I CS A S C ET I CS A N D , , S AI N T S OF I NDIA
s adhu was i n t he h abit of sitti n g du rin g t he night par ,

ab ou t thr ee o cl o ck till
’
t i c ul arly i n t he s m all ho ur s , fr o m
d ayb re ak wi t h a s t ream o f wate r f alli n g o n hi s he ad an d
,

fl o wi n g d o wn o ve r his p ers on t o t h e groun d I t was wi n t e r .

tim e an d v ery c old work n o d ou b t b u t t he sadhu had hi s

, ,

r e war d i n g rat ifi e d v an i t y ; fo r i n t h e e y e s o f his n u m e r o u s

a dmi re r s he was S iv a hi m s e lf wi t h t h e G an g e s f alli n g fro m

h e av e n u p on hi s h e ad an d fl owi n g th en c e t o bl e ss an d
fert ilis e t he e art h 1
This m an on acc oun t of hi s p e cu li ar
.
,

wo u ld b e kn own as a ya ladhara tapashi

'

asc e t ic p r actic e , .

S adhu s who si t all nigh t i m m ers e d i n wate r are c all e d

j a la s hayi b ut ,
as m y n ight w an d e ri n gs h av e n ot b ee n v e r y
,

e xt e n siv e I h ave n ot s een any o f thes e p e cu li ar n octu rn al

,

so ak ers .

I o n ce c am e acro ss a sadhu or ps e u do s adhu who ,

-
,

w ou ld pu t pi e c e s o f live ch ar c oal i n t o hi s m ou th an d ch e w
t h e m p re te n di n g t h at th e y w ere s avo u r y m o rs e ls an d hi s
,

u s u al f o o d H e was an agricul tu rist an d an ign oran t fell o w

.
,

wh os e o nl y cl ai m t o n o tic e was t his stu pid p rac t ic e .

Th e re are som e asc e tics who p re ten d t o live o n ly on whe at

b ran o t he rs who give ou t th at t he wat e r th e y dri nk is
,

i n vari ably m ixe d wi t h w o od ashe s S om e o f th e s e c as e s .

ar e m ere ly i n s t an c e s o f depr aved appeti te o f a ki n d n o t n u

k n o wn i n t he We st S om e sadhus th ere are (k n o wn as

.

farari ) who e at frui t s an d n othi n g els e o t h e rs (du dhahari ) ,

wh o s u bsis t on m ilk al on e whil e thos e k n o wn as a lu na ,

n e v er e at s al t wi t h t h e i r f oo d .

Am on gs t t he d e vice s for attracti n g atten ti on which

t ak e t h e f o rm o f s e lf i n fli ct e d p en an c e s all are n ot s o
-
,

i n n o c u ou s or u n o bj e ct i on abl e as t he o n e s j u s t re ferre d t o .

F o r e x am pl e l u s t y f e ll o ws o fte n go ab o u t a ffe c t i n g t o
,

k e e p a re s t rai n t u p on t h eir s e xu al d e si re s by m e ch anic al

arr an g e m e n t s whi ch t h e y d o n o t c on c e al A s e c t give n .

t o t his p ra c t ic e is n o t ic e d by Pr o fe ss or H H Wils on u n d e r . .

t h e n am e of ham li n gi s 2
On t h e o t h er h an d c ert ai n
.
,

sadhu s (B ai ra i s ) are c r e di t e d wi t h e ffe ct u ally k e e pi n g t h e i r

g
d e si re s u n d er c o n trol by s u bj e c t i n g t h em s elve s t o a c ru e l
1
The t or s y of t he ds e ce n t o f t he Gan ge s , re p od u
r ce d f
r om t he R am a y an a ,

is giv en i n m y Gr eat I n d i a n E pi cs pp . 8 7 90
-
.

2
Rel i gi ou s S ects o/ the H i n du s, p . 15 1 .

50
 C H A P TE R IV

TH E WO ND E RS T H AT PR E S E NT DAY S AD H US AND
-

F A Q U I RS A RE S A I D T O P ER F O R M

s ss y s sh — h u s t o s m x te t wh t t h
Vi i oni t li k e t he S an a i R am ak ri n a S ad o e e n a e

g s N
Ma i ci an an d e cr om an ce r s h v ls wh be —T l s d A
a e e e e re en a e an ne c

s
d ot e o f t he Won der sp f
e r orm e d by h u s d of C l mi t i s b ught
S ad an a a e ro

on o r a v t d by t h m —T sm u t t i o f M t l s by S d hu s—S t o y
er e e r an a n o e a a r

o f Mu sl i m T h u m at u gi s t wh w
a t h Di s i pl of
r o S d h u —Cl i m s f
as e c e a a a o

S u p i i t y
e r or v S od h u s
er m d aby F q u i s— St
a e g T tm t f a r r an e re a en o a

F qu i by
a r R l i gi
a c o- i s t —S d h u s as Ph ys i ci
e on s P l mi s t s F t u
a an , a , or ne

t ll s
e er ,d Aan b t cr o a s .

M O N G S T t he
I n dian asc e tics
o f ou r d ay
th e re
are so m e lik e
the highly
e m o ti o n al an d

te arfu l B e n g ali
S a n yas i R am a
k rish n a s u bj e ct ,
1

to hy s te ria ,

t ran c e s a n d
,

c atale psy wh o
see visi on s are ,

b e li e v e d t o h av e
b een fav ou re d
wi t h p e rs on al
visits fro m t he
ve ry g ods an d
g o dde ss e s t h e m
s e lv e s an d are
,

re p u te d to be
1
Of t hi s s ad hu , d g
wh o i e d i n 18 8 6, a ood d e al h as re c e n t een e ar ly b h d
b th i Eu p
o n ro e an d A
m e ri c a Ra m a k r i shna
. H i s L i fe and S ayi ngs, by
P ofe ss or Max
r Mii lle r .

52
 W O N D E RS S AD H U S AN D F AQ U I R S P E R FO R M

a ble t o w ork m iracle s t h ou gh in di sp o s e d t o d o s o t hi n ki n g , ,

t h at s u ch p e r fo rm an c e s are hi n dran c e s i n t he way t o pe r

fe c t i on B u t ap ar t fr o m s u ch n e u r o tic s ai n ts wh o alw ays
.
,

e xcite a tte n ti o n an d s o m e ti m e s fo un d n e w s e cts e ve ry ,

H i n du kn ows th at t h ou gh n o t n e arly s o p owe r fu l as t h e ,

a n ci e n t r i s hi s wh o s e fam e h as gr own wi t h t he c e n tu rie s

, ,

m an y sadhu s d o e v e n i n ou r d e g e n e rat e d ays w or k w on de r s

, , ,

an d t h e s e n o t a lw ays o f a b e n e fi c e n t ki n d What t he .

m agl c1an 1s or has b e en i n ot h e r co u n tri e s th at t o s om e

, , , ,

e xte n t is t he s adhu i n I n di a
, E ls e whe re t he n e cr om an ce r .

an d t he witch h av e b e e n i n an tag o n is m with an d u n d e r ,

t h e b an o f t he hie r ar chy b u t i n I n di a t h e e c cl e si asti c a l

, ,
-

m an t l e h as p r ov e d e l as t ic e n ou gh t o c o v e r e v e n s om e s or
oe r e rs th ou gh c e r t ai n ly n o t all
, .

The Ch ris t i an Chu r ch h as a lw ays ad m itte d on biblic al ,

au th ority t he e xis t e n c e o f wiz ar ds an d witch e s

,
I t h as .

a bh o rre d th e i r dr e ad p ow e r an d wh e n t h e v e n g e an ce o f , ,

H e av e n did n ot dire ct ly ove r take th e m for t he ir dee ds 1

,

p ers e cu te d t h e m t o t he de ath i n o b e die n c e t o t he divin e

~
,

c om m an d Th ou sh alt n ot s u ffe r a wi t ch t o live (E x

,
.

xx n 18
. Lev xx . .

M e diaeval hist ory is p ai n fu lly blu rre d wi t h t he s m oke

o f t he p e n al fi r e s which a tte st t he z e al o f t h e C h u r ch i n

t he s u pp re ss i on o f wi t chcra ft wh os e s u cce ss e s we re ,

a t t r ib u t e d t o di ab o lic a l ag e n cy ; b u t i n I n di a sin c e t he ,

e ar li e st ti m e s m agic an d s or c e ry h o w e v e r m u ch d re ade d
, , ,

h ave n ot b e en with ou t a c ertain ackn owle dg e d re sp e cta

b i li t y .

O f c ou rs e th e re h as b ee n i n i n e vitable rivalry I n di a t he
b e twe en t he h e re ditary p rie sth oo d an d t he lay p ro fe ss ors
o f witchc ra ft b u t t h e B r ah m an s with th e i r w on de r fu l
, ,

facu lt y o f adap t atio n t o cir c u m s t an c e s t h e m s e lv e s ad o pte d , ,

at a v er y e ar ly d a t e t h e r ol e o f s or ce re r s (as t he At harv a ,

Ve d a a m ply p ro v e s ) an d by s o d oi n g h av e i n e vi t ably t h ou gh , ,

1
The wi c k e d
b li v t h h i l s w s m t i m s vi si t d
i f we m ay
, e e e e c r on c e r ,
e re o e e e

wi t h t h v g e en st t li g m F
e an c e o f Go d i n x m pl M t i ld a ar n an n e r . or e a e a a

w as a
g t d p
re a t t wi t h wh
’

s
an s m m s t h d v i lw b d t b y
o en c , o e u on e e as ou n o o e .

O ne d y h a spi d l s f ll h
e a t y m re ss ; b t
,
wh t
a on e h o a er se x , o sa a u en e

m m o ten m f s i g t h l m t s t hu d b lt f ll f m t h l
ca e or a cr n e e e en , a n er o e ro e c e ar

sky d andu d h t sh s S k t h
re ce d S t di i
er I t ly d G
o a e .
”
-
e c es an u es n a an r e ece,

by J A S ym ds ii 179
. . on , . .

53
T H E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS O F I NDIA
i t i
u n n e n t on a lly di gni fie d t he c allin g o f t he lay m agici an ;
,

sin ce sp e lls for t he at tain m e n t o f m u ch whi ch is e ls e wh e re

s t ig m atis e d a s b as e i m m oral an d i m pi ou s h av e n o t b e e n
, ,

e xcl u d e d fr o m t h e s a c r e d c an o n o f t h e Hi n d u s .

”
E ve n wi t c hcraft s ays Mr Bl oom fie ld is p ar t o f t he
,
.
,
!

H i n du s re l i gi on ; i t h as p e n e trat e d an d b e c om e in t i m at e ly
’

bl e n de d wi t h t h e h oli e s t Ve dic rite s ; t he b r oad cu rre n t

o f p o p u l ar r e ligi on an d s u p e r s t i t i on h as i n filtra te d i t s e lf

t h rou gh n u m b e rl e ss ch an n e ls i n t o t he h i gh e r r e ligi on t h at
is p re s e n t e d by t he B rah m an p ri e sts an d it m ay b e pre ,

s u m e d t h at t he p rie sts w e re n e i t h e r able to cle an s e the i r

o wn r e ligi ou s b e li e fs fr o m t he m ass o f folk b e li e f wi t h which -

i t was s u rro u n d e d n o r is it a t all lik e ly th at th e y f ou n d

,
” 1
it i n th e i r i n te re st t o d o s o .

Wh at t he sadhu is cr e dite d with d oin g or b e i n g able

t o d o wh at t he p e o pl e t hin k o f hi m a s a w o n d e r w ork e r
,
-

an d a p e r so n c ap abl e o f sign ally a n d v e ry u n pl e a s an tly

r e s e n t i n g an
y dis r e sp e ct fro m w orldlin gs w i l l b e app are n t ,

from t he f ollowin g ch aracte ristic little sto rie s pick e d u p i n

m y w an d er in gs i n I n di a .

I n t h e D e cc an a c e rt ai n s ar d ar o r chi e f wh o o p e n ly , ,

e xp r e ss e d disb e li e f i n t h e e xis t e n c e o f bhu t s (g o bli n s ) was

a ss u re d by a s adhu t h at th e y r e ally did e xist The s ar d ar .

w an te d s o m e t an gible e vide n c e i n p r o o f o f t his ass e rtio n so ,

t h e s adhu o ffe re d t o giv e t he sc e ptic o cu l ar d e m on str at i on

o f t he t ru th o f his st at e m e n t o n c on di t i on o f his r e c e i v
,

i n g on e h u n dre d r u p e e s fo r his tr ou ble The offe r was .

a cc e pte d . A l on e ly sp ot i n t he j u n gl e was s e l e cte d for t he

e xhibiti o n . H e re at m idn ight t h e s ard ar an d t wo or
, ,

t h ree o f his fri e n ds t og e the r with t he sadhu ass e m bl e d

, ,

wi t hin a sp ace r in g e d i n wi t h a c on spicu ou s lin e tr a ce d o n

t h e g rou n d .O u tsid e t his b ou n d ary o r m agic c i r cl e n o o n e
was t o m o v e o n p ai n o f de ath o r t he m o s t s e ri ou s t r ou bl e .

Wh e n all w e re s e ate d an d we re p e e rin g an xi ou sly i n to t he

d ark n e ss which s u rr ou n d e d t h e m t he s a dhu k e p t re p e ati n g ,

h i s m u n tra s (sp e lls ) t i ll 10 ! i n t h e m i rk a t t he d i s t an c e

, , ,

o f a m u sk e t sh o t -
t h e r e a pp e are d a l o t o f f an t as t ic b ald
,

h e a de d u rch i n s j u m pi n g ab o u t wi t h l i gh t e d p i e ce s o f w o o d
,

1
I n t o du c t i o (pp xlv xlvi ) t o B lo om fi e l d s t r ans l at i on of t he At harv a
r n
’

Ve d a —S acred B ook s 0/ the E as t v ol x lii

. .
,

. .
,

54
 W O N D E RS S AD H U S AN D F AQ U I R S P E R FO R M

in th e ir h an ds I n a little while h ow e v e r t he c ap e ri n g
.
, ,

bhut s all dis app e are d E ve n afte r this d e m on strati on t he

.

s ard ar was s c e p t ic al an d ch alle n g e d t h e s adhu t o re p r o du c e

,

his u n c an n y sp rite s ag ai n The wis e m an e x c u s e d hi m s e lf ;

.

b u t i n c on sid e rat i on o f t h e p re s e n t o f a v al u able g o ld hu rra

,

(b rac e l e t ) re p e ate d t he p e r f orm an ce t h e f oll o win g n igh t

, .

On this s e c on d o cc asi on t he i m ps o f d arkne ss wh o a pp e ar e d

were gir l bhuts an d in s t e ad o f lighte d sticks c arrie d ligh t e d
-
,

c ha ra hs (te r r a c o t t a l am ps i h i h ds Th s h y
g ) n -
t e r an e e t e .

wav e d ab ou t i n t h e d arkn e ss b u t n o i n du c e m e n t s c ou ld ,

m ak e th e m app r oach t h e sp e ct at or s w i thi n t h e e n ch an t e d

e n c l o s u re n e are r t h an t he dis t an c e o f a m u ske t sh o t -
.

N ee dle ss t o add t h at a s m y i n f orm an t a l e arn e d p u n d i t , ,

ass u r e d m e t he s ar d ar s sc e pticis m o n t h e i m p or t an t s u bj e ct
,

o f t he e xiste n c e o f g o blin s was e n ti re ly disp e lle d by this

s e c on d d e m on strati on .

The f o ll owi n g e xtra ct fro m an An gl o I n dian n e wsp ap e r -

wil l s e rve as an oth e r e x am ple o f wh at is cu rre n tly re p orte d

a b ou t s adhu s i n o ur ti m e .

E ! T R A OR D I NAR Y T A L E or A J OGI .

The th o do x Hin du s o f Trev an d ru m a c orre sp on d e n t

or ,

writ e s t o a S ou t he rn c on t e m p or ary h ave l at e ly b ee n m u ch ,

e xci t e d a b o u t a j o i o r s an as i wh o for s o m e t im e p ast has

g y
b e e n lite rally w orshipp e d an d re ve re n c e d as a go d c om e
d own t o m e n No on e app e ar s t o kn ow wh e re t hi s m an c am e
.

fr o m or t o wh at pa rt icu l ar r ace or c aste he b e l on gs b u t he

,

was s u pp o s e d t o b e a H i n du On his arriv a l h e s at u n d e r

.

a b an y an t re e on t h e n or t h e r n b an k o f t he P ad m at he e r t h am
,

tan k an d t h e re he re m ain e d for th ree ye ar s For t he first

, .

wee k or s o aft e r he h ad t ake n u p his arb ore al re side n c e he ,

p art o ok o f s o m e m ilk or a pl an t ain o r t wo twi ce o r t h re e

tim e s a we e k Th e n he gradu ally e x t e n de d t he i n te rv als
.
,

t ill a ft e r t h r e e or f o u r m on t hs h e t o o k n o f o o d a t all sp o ke ,

t o n o on e a n d p ass e d his t i m e h u ddle d u p b e f o r e a fi r e

,

n i gh t an d d a
y fo r t h re e l o n g y e ar s H e l oo k e d n o o n e i n
.

t he fa c e ; h e h e e d e d no s ou n ds n o qu e s t i o n n o t h i n g ,
The ,
.

Mah ara j ah o f Travan c ore o n on e o ccas i on s t opp e d n e ar t h e

s an as i an d addr e ss e d h i m with o u t h ow e v e r o btai n i n g t he
y , , ,

55
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S AI N T S OF I ND I A
sli gh t e s t re c og n i t i on E xp os e d t o t he c old an d we t t o t he
.
,

h e at an d du s t t he s an yas i with ou t p artakin g a m ors e l o f

, ,
’
f oo d p ass e d hi s t hre e y e ars e xiste n c e i n di vin e c on t e m pla
,

t i on an d al t h ou gh e v e r y m or n in g an d e v e n in g n u m b e rs o f
, ,

p e ople p ai d hi m h o m age he app e ar e d o blivi o u s o f all e xte rn al

,
”—
ci rc u m stan c e s A fe w d ays ago h e di e d
. Ci vi l an d M i li t ary .

Gaz ette L ah ore 23r d Ap ril 18 9 5

, ,
.

Cal ami t i e s ften du e to sadhus

ar e o For e x am pl e .
,

a s e ri ou s an d e x t en siv e fi re b r o k e o u t o n e n ight i n J u n e

18 99 i n a b az aar at A m r i t s ar c au si n g gr e at l o ss o f
,

p r o p ert y an d o f a fe w l i v e s t o o I t a pp ears a s adhu.

h ad b ee n a ski n g for al m s fr om on e sh Op t o an o t h er i n t his

b az aar The k hatri m e r ch an t s p u ffe d u p wi t h t he p rid e
.
,

o f w e al t h , r e pe ll e d hi m with sh arp wor ds o n e o f th e m ,

You are dr e ss e d gran dl y e n o u gh ! why

!
s ayi n g t o hi m ,

d o you p e s t e r m e for pi ce 2
Now t he sadhu was rob e d i n a n e w sh ee t which so m e
lib eral p erson m o s t like ly a w o m an h ad ki n dly p re s en te d
, ,

t o hi m . Irri t at e d by t he m ahaj u n s (m er ch an t s ) t aun t s

’ ’
,

h e re m ove d t he cl o t h from his sh ou ld e rs an d h avi n g , ,

p ro cure d a bit of fir e de lib erately b u rn t t he o ffen di n g

,

sh ee t t o ash e s i n t he o p e n s t ree t an d t h e n wen t his way , .

H ardly had t h e m en dic an t s adhu di s app eare d from t he

sce n e of his op erat io n s wh en fl am e s b roke o u t i n t he shOp
o f t h e m e r ch an t wh o had affr on t e d hi m R e alisi n g at .

t h at t h e c al ami ty was t h e r e s u lt o f t he sadhu s

’
on c e

displ e as ur e t he k hatri m er ch an t hurri e dly d e sp atch e d

,

m e ss en g er s i n all di re cti on s t o fi n d t he o ffe n d e d m an ,

i n order th at he m i gh t p ropi t i at e hi m if p o ssibl e ; b u t t h e

s ai n t was n ot t o b e disc overe d an ywh ere so t h e shOp ,

o f t he n igg ar dly bu nn eeah an d th os e o f his i m m e di ate

n eighb ou r s w e re all b u rn t d o wn t o t h e g ro un d .

Th e p ers on wh o ki n dly pu t m e i n p o ss e ss i on o f t h e s e
i n t e re s t i n g f a ct s n arrat e d t o m e als o an o t h er s t ory o f a
p as t gen erat i o n o n e lik e wis e c on n e c t e d wi t h Am ri t s ar an d
,

well k n o wn t o his o wn f athe r who a t t he t i m e t o whi ch, ,

i t r el at e s was hi m s e lf a dwell e r i n th at ci t y
, .

A sadhu as is n o t u n u s u al wi t h the s e gen t l e m en

, ,

e n treat e d a
p ans d ri (d r u ggist o r h e rb alist ) t o giv e hi m t h e

56
 W O NDE R S S AD H U S AN D F AQ U I R S P E R FO R M

wh e re wi t h al h ave a g oo d s m ok e o f hi s favour i t e ch aras

to .

I am on fi re pl e ade d t he sadhu , d o giv e m e a li t t l e ,

” ”
ch aras t o c ool m y t ort ur e d b ody Go an d b u rn .was ,

’ ”
t h e sh opke e p e r s chu rlish r e ply No r e sp on d e d. t he ,

! ”
e nr ag e d s adhu le t t h e fi r e s eiz e you !
,
an d h e l e ft t h e

sp o t i n an ge r Wi t hi n a m i n u te of hi s de p art ur e t he
.

dru ggis t f oun d hi s store on fir e and re ali sin g t h at t his , ,

’
c al ami t y was d u e t o t he holy sadhu s c ur s e m ade n o v ai n ,

at t e m p t t o c om b at t he fl am e s b u t r an h ur ri e dly aft e r t h e ,

s ai n t i n ord er t o app eas e his wr at h H e fou n d t he o bj e c t .

o f his s e ar ch i n a c ro wd e d t h or o u ghf are an d f alli n g p ro n e , ,

a t hi s f ee t e n tre at e d hi m t o e xti n g u ish t he fl am e s h e h ad

,
’
c au s e d Prom i si n g n e v er t o re f u s e a sadhu s r e qu e s t
.

ag ai n t he di s t re ss e d pa ns dri h u m bly b e gg e d t he offe n d e d

,
’
m en di c an t s p ar d o n a ddi n g Com e m ah araj le t m e give
, , , ,
”
y o u t he ch ar a s n o w Mo l lifi e d by t h
. e a t t en t i o n s o f t h e

dr u ggis t t he s adhu s aid t o hi m

, Your sh o p will b e ,

n t —
b ur d own t h at is i n evi t abl e n ow b u t as you h av e
hu m bl e d yo u rs e lf b e fore m e an d are s orry for you r u n kin d ,

t r e at m e n t o f a p o o r s adhu you m ay go you r way wi t h t h e

,

c om f orti n g ass uran c e th at t he fi re will re dou n d t o you r

adv an t ag e R e li e v e d of all an xi e ty by t h o s e graci o u s
.

words i n whi ch he pl ac e d t he m o st i m plicit c onfi de n c e

, ,

t h e d ru ggis t w e n t b ack t o hi s sto re an d w atch e d wi t h a

co n te n te d h e ar t t he fir e d oi n g its w ork o f d e stru ct io n
t h o u gh as t h e sh Op with i t s c on t e n ts dis app e are d i n t h e
,

fl am e s he was sorely p u z zle d to i m agi ne where his

,

p rom i s ed l u ck was t o c om e from H ow ever t he m yst ery .

,

was so on cl e are d u p On i n sp e c t i n g wh at li t t l e r em ai n e d
.

o f t h e g u tt e d p re mi s e s a m ass o f h o t an d al m ost m o l t e n
,

si lver was disc over ed t o t he gre at j oy of t he pansdri H o w

,
.

it c am e th ere was n o t di fli c u lt of e xpl an at i on I t s eem s .

t he d ru ggis t h ad a c on side rabl e qu an t i t y o f s olde r i n hi s

s t or e . Thi s d uri ng t he i n t en s e he at o f t he c o n flagra
,

t i on had b e e n a c t e d u p on by s om e d r u g o r c om bi n at i on
,

o f d ru gs als o p r e s en t t h e r e wi t h t he h appy res u lt t h at t he

,

che ap s olde r h ad b e e n t ran sm u t e d i n t o fi n e si lver .

Not on ly t ri fli n g an d te m p orary b u t e ve n wide sp re ad

an d p erm an e n t t rou bl e s m a b e c au s e d by t h e c u r s e o f
y
an o ffen d e d sadhu To b eli e ve rs i n th e s e thi n gs i t is
.

57
 TH E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S O F I N D IA
m at t e r of
c om m on kn owl e dge th at sc ty s u pply t he an w at e r -

i n o n e o f t he ci t i e s o f U pp r I e n di a — U m b all ah if I ,

rem em b er righ t ly is t he re s ul t of t he cu r s e o f a
wan deri n g faqu i r H e h ad g on e from h ou s e t o h ou s e
.

a ski n g for a d ro p o f w ate r No o n e h ad a t t en d e d t o his

.

m od e s t re qu e st On e i n d e e d had s aid by way o f e xc u s e

.
, , , ,

I have on ly a li t t l e wat er for m y o wn u se ”

The .

fagu i r kn owi n g t he s t at e m en t t o b e qu i t e un tru e b e c am e

, ,

i n cen s e d an d i m m e di at e ly u t t ere d t hi s m al e dic t i on Li t t l e ,

wat e r sh all you h en c e fo rt h h ave i n t he wells o f you r city

an d t h e c u r s e was d u ly f ul fil l e d .

H o w ve ry adv an t ag e ou s s u ch sto ri e s m u st b e t o t he
wan de ri ng sadhu s i n t h e ir p e re g ri n at ion s d o e s n o t n e e d t o ,

b e p oi n t e d o u t .

B en efi c en t a ct i on s are als o th o u gh rare ly c on ne cte d , ,

wi t h s adhu s On e c as e c am e u n de r m y o wn o bs e rv ati on
. .

Whe n i n 18 9 8 t he b u b on ic pl ag u e m ade its app e ar

an c e i n t he J ul lu n d ar district o f t h e P un j ab an d t he ,

p re c au t i on ary m e as u re s o f t he s anit ary a u t h ori t i e s m u ch ,

m ore th an t he fe ll dis eas e its e lf c re ate d a gre at e xci t e m e n t

,

an d an xi e ty am o n gst t h e p e opl e a s adhu o f t h e s e ct o f ,

t he yogi s c am e t o A m rits ar an d e st ablish e d hi m s e lf n ear

a gr eat t an k o u tside t he cit y H e le t i t b e kn o wn .
,

thro u gh hi s f oll o we r s th at t he o bj e ct o f hi s visi t was t o

,

av e r t t he d re ade d p e s t il e n c e a n d t o t hi s e n d h e c all e d
,

u p o n t h e reli gi o u s an d ch ari t abl e to affo rd hi m t h e m ean s

o f c arryi n g o u t t h at m o s t m e rito ri o u s o f a cti o n s fe as t i n g ,

t he p o or An acc o u n t o f m y visit t o this wo rthy yogi

.

will b e f oun d i n a l at er ch apter b u t I m ay m en t i o n h e re ,

th at so far as I kn o w t h e pl agu e did n o t app ear i n

, ,

Am ri t s ar t h at ye ar t h ou gh o n e d ou btfu l an d s u bs e qu en t ly
,

discre dite d c as e was r ep orte d t o t he o ffici als .

The t ran s m u t at i on o f m e t als all u d e d t o i n t he st ory ,

ab o u t t h e h e rb alis t o n a p re vi o u s p ag e is o n e o f th o s e ,

m ys t e ri o u s s u bj e c t s which s t ill f asci n at e t h e O ri e n t al

mi n d .
A l e arn e d H i n d u r e lat e d t o m e i n all g o od fai t h , ,

t he fo ll o wi n g e xp e ri e n c e s o f on e o f his i n t i m at e fri e n ds an d
a s a dhu alch e m i st
-
.

This fri en d wh e n a y oun g m an was m o st an xi ou s t o

, ,

be co m e a s adhu and at t ach e d hi m s elf t o a B ai ragi who

,

58
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS O F I ND I A
t he a b o d e of t he e t e rn al s n ows The che la v e n tu re d t o .

foll ow hi m for a while b u t t he B air agi l o okin g b ack

, , ,

thre at e n e d hi m with his k e en e dg e d t on gs an d t he fall e n -

,

y ou th t h ou ght it p ru de n t t o re trac e his s t e ps h au n t e d ,

m or e th an e v er w i t h an u n s atisfi e d c r avi n g t o kn ow t h e

g r e a t s ec r et o f m a ki n g silv e r o u t o f b as e r m e t al .

A gran thi t old m e o f an e qu ally u n fru it fu l e xp erien ce

1

he h ad wi t h a g old m aki n g N irm ali s adhu-

This m an m ade .

frie n ds wi t h t he granthi an d i n sin u ate d him s e lf i n t o,

his c on fiden ce He first c au tiou sly hin te d an d afte rwards

.
,

r e v e al e d u n d e r t he s e al of s e c re cy th at he was a cqu ai n t e d
, ,

wit h t he o ccu lt art of t ran s m u tin g m e tals The granthi .

,

n o twiths t an di n g his sc riptu ral k n owl e dg e an d s e m i s ac e r d o t al -

f u n c t i on s was m u ch e xcite d at fin di n g th at his n e w fr i en d

,

was a p ot e n t alch e m ist an d he fe l t t he b on ds b e twe e n

,

t h e m s t ren gth e n ; for a ft er all this s or t o f m an is n ot t o ,

b e picke d u p i n a d ay s j ou rn e y The tr an s m u t e r o f m e t als

.

s e e m e d to live ve ry we ll ye t occ asion ally b orr owe d m on e y

, ,

sh owi n g sp e cial fav ou r t o t he granthi i n this m atte r ; for

h e h ad n o h e sit at i on i n pl acin g him s e lf u n de r t e m p orary
o blig ati on s t o his m ost c on fid e n t i al f ri e n d An d o f c ou rs e .
, ,

it was all righ t ; he was a g old m ake r an d wh e n his -

, ,

arr an ge m e n t s w e re m at u r e d w ou ld re s u m e his p rofit able

,

b u sin e ss an d b e tte r s t ill t e ach t he granthi t he s e cre ts o f

, , ,

his m yste ri ou s art On e d ay t he s adhu sh owe d t he gran thi

.

a c o m m on b r on z e d ou bl e i ce or h alf an n a c o in an d t h en
p
-
, ,

i n his p r es e n c e pu t it i n t o a s m all fur n ace alo n g wi t h

v ariou s le ave s and ro ots he had c olle cte d A fte r an h ou r .

or s o h e prod u c e d fr o m his c ru cibl e a g o ld e n fac si m il e o f -

t h e d ou bl e pi c e The granthi n o t t o b e t ak e n i n e ve n by
.
,

his de ar frie n d aske d t o b e all ow e d t o h ave it te ste d by a

,

g olds m it h Perm issi on was give n an d ac t e d u p on with t he

.
,

r e s u l t t h at t he e xp e rts i n t h e b a z aar p ro n ou n c e d i t g old o f

t he p u re s t q u al i t y The gran thi wa s n ow ag og t o l e arn

.

t he i m p or t an t s e c re t o f g o ld m aki n g an d m an y w e re t h e-
,

r u p e e s h e wil li n gly l e n t t he s adhu i n t he h Ope t h at h e ,

w ou ld a cc e p t hi m as a p u p i l B u t t he s ai n t ly m an o f
.

sc i e n ce s u dde n ly an d u n e xp e c t e dly d e cam p e d .

”
Al as ! s aid t he gran thi aft e r he had n arrate d the s e
1
One le arn d in t he S cri p t ure s of t he S i k h se c t
e .

60
 W ON D E RS S AD H U S AN D F AQ U I R S P E R FO R M

cir cu m st an c e s t o m e I lost m ore th an s i x t y ru p e e s throu gh

,

th at i m p o s t or I h ave sin ce le arn t how he foo le d m e b u t

.
,

n e v e r a N ir m ali s adhu h as si n c e t h o s e d ays h ad s o m u ch

, ,
‘

as a dr o p o f w ate r fr o m m y h an d

S om e thi r ty ye ar s ago or t h ere ab ou ts Calcu tt a k n e w

, ,

an d t o ok m u ch i n t e re st i n o n e H ass an Kh an who h ad t he ,

re p u t ati on o f b e i n g a g re at wo n d e r w or k e r; th ou gh I b e li e v e
-

o n ly i n o n e p artic u l ar line an d his st ory m ay b e fi t ly

,

r e c o r d e d h e re as it was th r ou gh t he f av ou r an d in iti ati o n

,

o f a Hi n du sadhu th at thi s M u h am m ad an acqu ire d t h e

p e cu li ar and ve ry re m ark able p owe r s attrib u te d t o hi m .

S e v e ral E u rop e an frie n ds o f m i n e had b een p e rs on ally ,

a cqu ain t e d wit h H ass an Kh an an d witn e ss e d his p er f o rm

,

an c e s i n th e ir o wn h om e s I t is di re ctly fr om th e s e g en tle
.

m e n , an d n o t fr om I n di an s ou rc e s th at I d e riv e d t he d e t ails ,

which I n ow rep r odu c e .

H ass an Kh an was n ot a p ro fe ssion al wiz ard n or e ve n ,

a p e r form e r , b u t he co u ld b e p e rs u ade d on o cc asi on t o

displ ay to a s m all c i rcle his p e cu liar powers an d this with ,

o u t an y p e cu n i ary r e w ar d For e x am ple he w ou ld c all

.
,

u p on an y p e r s on p r e s en t at s u ch a m e e ti n g t o ask for s o m e

o r di n ar y win e an d o n t h e p ar t ic ul ar on e b e i n g n am e d
,

w ou ld re qu e st hi m t o pu t his h an d u n der t he t able or ,

m a yb e b e hi n d a d o or a n d lo ! a b,
o ttl e o f,t h e wish e d —
for
win e wit h t he l ab e l o f s om e we ll kn own C alcu tt a fi rm
,
-

w ou ld b e thru st i n t o t he e xten de d h an d .

S i m i larly h e w ou ld p ro du c e article s o f f o od s u ch as ,

biscu its or c ake s an d cigars t o o e n ou gh for t he ass e m ble d

, ,

c om p any On a c er tain o ccasi on s o I was in form e d by

.
,

o n e wh o was p r e s e n t t he s u pply o f c om e s t ibl e s s e e m e d t o

,

b e e xh au ste d S e ve ral m e m b ers s eate d rou n d t h e t abl e

.

r ais e d a l au gh ag ai n st H a ss an Kh an an d j e e ri n gly ch all e n g e d ,

hi m t o p r o du c e a b ot tle o f ch am p ag n e Mu ch agit at e d .

a dn st a m m e ri n g b a dly —h e alw ays h ad an i m p e di m e n t i n

his sp ee ch— H ass an Kh an w en t in t o t he ve ran d ah an d i n ,

an g ry t on e s c om m an d e d s om e u n s e e n ag e n t t o b ri n g t h e

ch am p agn e at o n ce H e h ad t o r e p e at his order s t wo or

.

t hree t im e s wh e n hu r tlin g t hr o u gh t h e ai r c am e t he re
, , ,

qu ire d bottle I t stru ck t he m agi ci an o n t he che st wi t h

.

force and fallin g t o t he floor b rok e in to a thou s and pie ces

, , , .

61
THE MYS T I C S , A S C E T I C S AN D
, S A I N TS OF I NDIA
There ,
s aid H ass an Khan m u ch e xcit e d ,
I h av e ,

sh own m y powe r b u t I h av e e nrage d m y dj i n n by m y

,
”
i m p or t u n i t i e s .

A E u ro pe an frie n d o f m in e h app e n e d t o trave l qu i t e ,

c as u ally i n a railway c arriage wit h H ass an Kh an an d

, , ,

h avi n g s o m e acqu ain tan ce with hi m ask e d hi m t o p ro du ce ,

s om e thi n g t o dri n k .

Pu t y ou r h an d o u t o f t h e wi n d o w s aid t he Mu sli m , ,

while t he train was t rave llin g al on g .

His re qu e st was co m pli e d with an d a b o ttle of e xc e lle n t

,

wi ne thru st in t o t he ou tstre tch e d h an d re ward e d this slight

e x e r ti o n.

An othe r o f m y frie n ds e xce e di n gly anx i ou s t o le ar n

,

t he m odu s Operan di o f th e s e stran g e p er f o rm an c e s t ook a ,

sp e ci al i n tere st i n H ass an Kh an an d with thi s i m p ortan t

,

obj e ct i n vie w c ult iva te d his s oci e ty D rivin g on on e .

o c ca si on al o n g wi t h h i m i n t he b az aar t h e wiz ard e xp re ss e d ,

a wish t o a light at t he sh o p of a m on e y ch an g e r The -

.

c arri ag e was stopp e d an d H ass an Khan att en de d by his

, ,

c om p an i on ask e d t he m on e y ch an ge r if h e h ad any s ov er
,
-

e i ns
g . A n affi r m at iv e an sw e r b e i n g giv e n h e r e qu e st e d ,

th at they sh ou ld b e p r odu ce d an d wh en th e y we re b rou ght

, ,
’
o u t o f t h e m on e y ch an g e r s s t r on g b o x H ass an Kh an a ft e r
-
, ,

aski n g t h e p ric e at which th e y m igh t b e p u r ch as e d (fo r i n

th o s e d ays t he ir v alu e had n ot b e e n fix e d by law) th ou ght ,

f u lly p ass e d t he g old c oi n s t hrou gh his fi n g e rs s ayi n g he ,

w o u ld c all for th em o n t he m orro w if he c ou ld n o t m ak e ,

a b e tte r b arg ain e ls e wh e re The f o ll owin g m orn i n g he

.

w e n t t o t he s Op a ten de d as b e f ore by m y fr ie n d b u t
h t ,
—
o n ly t o l e arn t h at t h e s ov e re ig n s which h e h ad s e e n an d

h an dle d t he d ay b e for e h ad all m ys t eri o u sly dis app e are d

aft er b e in g pl a c e d i n t h e s t r on g b ox H ass an Kh an .

a ffe c t e d t o disb e li e v e t he st ory b u t as h e did s o slyly c ast

, , ,

s o sig n ific an t a gl an c e a t his c o m p an i on th at t he l att e r ,

p ru d e n t ly r e s olve d n e v e r t o b e s ee n i n s u ch s us pici o u s
c o m p an y ag am .

Ye t t his i n cid en t o n ly pu t a ke e n e r e dg e u p on Mr
’
s .

c ur i o si t y an d he a ssidu o u sly pli e d H ass an Kh an with

,

qu e s t ion s t ill he o b t ai ne d from hi m t he foll o wi n g s t ory ,

fo r t he s ak e of whi ch m ore th an an y thi ng else I h ave s e t

, ,

62
 W O N D E RS S AD H U S AND F AQ U I R S P E R FO R M

fo rth i n thi s n arr at ive p articul ars which if c o rre ctl y re ,

p ort e d are s eem in gly quit e in cre dible an d p o ssibly n ot

, ,

e x plic abl e b y e v e n t he c l e vere st l e ge r dem ain ists H ow .

n o t h avi n g wi tn e ss e d t he Mu sli m s s t r an g e p e rf orm

’
e ve r ,

an c e s m ys e lf an d n o t b e i n g a wiz ar d I l eav e t he m att e r

, ,

wi t h ou t furt her c om m e n t t o p ass o n t o t he story o f h o w

,

H ass an Kh an a cqui re d t he won dr ou s p owers with which

he was c re di t e d .

Wh en I was a m ere lad s aid thi s re m arkabl e m an , ,

th ere c am e on e d ay t o m y n ati ve vi llage a g au n t sadhu

with mat t e d l o cks an d alt oget her re p u lsive asp e ct The .

b o ys crowde d r o u n d hi m an d m o cke d hi m b u t I re ,
!

p rove d t h e i r ru den e ss t elli n g th em t h at the y sho ul d

,

re sp e ct a h o ly m an e v e n t h o u gh a Hi n d u
, The s adhu .

o bs e r ve d m e cl o s ely an d l at e r o n we m e t fre qu e n tly

, for ,

he t oo k u p his ab o de i n t he vill age for s om e littl e ti m e .

On m y p art I s e em e d t o b e drawn t o wards t he s t ran ge

m an an d visi t e d hi m as oft en as I c o ul d On e d ay he
‘

.
,

o ffe re d t o c on f e r o n m e an i m p o r tan t s e c re t p o w er if ,

I woul d f oll o w hi s i n s t ru ct i ons faithfu ll y an d im plicitly .

I p rom is e d t o do what e ve r m i ght b e re qui re d o f m e an d ,

’
u n de r t he s adhu s di re ct i on s c om m e n c e d a sys t em of
disciplin e wi t h f as t i n g whi ch l aste d m an y p e rh aps for ty , ,

d ays M y i n stru cto r tau ght m e t o re p eat m an y m ysti c

.

sp e lls an d i n can tati on s an d afte r im p o sin g a ve ry s t ric t

, ,

fas t c om m an de d m e t o en t e r a d ark c ave rn I n t he hillside

,

an d t ell hi m wh at I saw t h e re Wi t h m u ch t re pidati o n .

I o b e ye d hi s b eh e sts an d re t ur n e d wi t h t he in form ation

,

that t he on ly t hi n g vi sibl e t o m e i n t he glo om was a

hu ge fl ami n g eye That is we ll
. s u cc e ss has b e en
was t h e s adhu s re m ark an d I b e g an w on d e ri n g
’ ’
achi e v e d , ,

wh at p owe r I h ad acqu ire d P oi n t i n g t o s om e s t on e s

.

lyin g ab o u t t he s adhu m ade m e m ake a p art icu l ar

,
’

m ys t ic al s i gn u p o n each o n e I did so No w go h om e
.
’
.
,

s aid my m e n t or shu t t he d oor of yo ur room and

, ,

c om m an d your fam i li ar t o b ri n g th e s e st on e s t o yo u ’
.

Away I wen t i n a s tat e o f n er vou s e xcitem en t an d

, , ,

l o cki n g m ys elf i n m y ch am b er c om m an de d t he un s ee n ,

dyi n n t o b ri n g th o s e st on e s t o m e at o n c e H ardly had

'

m y m an d at e b een utt ere d wh en t o m am az e m en t an d

y , ,

53
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S A ND , , S A I NTS OF I ND I A
s e cre t t error t he st on e s lay at m y fe e t
,
I wen t b ack .

’
an d told t he sadhu o f m y s u cc e ss N ow he s aid y ou .
, ,

have a p ower which you c an e xercis e o ver e ve rythi n g

u p on which you c an m ak e t he m ys t ic al sig n I h av e t u ght
a
y ou, b u t u s e y o u r p o we r wi t h discr e ti o n for m
y gif t i s ,

q u alifie d by t he f ac t t h at do wh at you will t he t hi n gs , , ,

wh ate ve r t h e y m ay b e a cqu i re d throu gh yo ur fam i li ar ,

spiri t c an n o t b e accu m ul ate d by you b u t m u st s o on p ass

, ,
’ ’
ou t o f y our h an ds An d t he sadhu s w o r ds h av e b e en v e ri
.

fi e d i n m y lif e an d his gif t h as n o t b e e n an u n mi xe d bl e ssi n g

, ,

for m y dj i n n re s e n ts m y p o w e r an d has o ften tri e d to h arm ,

”
me b u t h appily hi s ti m e is n o t ye t c om e .

This e xpl an atio n b rin gs o u t very cl e arl y t he high

e s t ee m i n whi ch t he o cc ul t p ow e rs o f t he s adhu s are
s t ill h eld e v en by M u sli m s sin c e a foll ower o f I sl am ,

c oul d b e f ou n d to ackn owl e dg e v ol un tarily th at his own , ,

r e m ark abl e th au m atu rgic abiliti e s w ere c on f erre d u p on hi m

by a Hi n du re li gio u s m en dic an t .

B u t t he In di an M u h am m ad an as b e c o m e s a m e m b e r ,

o f a o n c e d o m i n an t ra c e u s u ally lov e s t o cl ai m s u p e ri ority

,

e v en on thi s g ro u n d .

A M u ss u l m an sp e ak i n g to m e on t he s u bj e ct admi tte d
, ,

th at t he Hin du sadhu s by th e i r au st e ri t i e s an d p e cul i ar

,

p ractice s acqu i re a stran g e m astery o v e r t he f orc e s o f

,
”
n at ur e . Bu t s aid he ,
t h e y are n e v e r abl e t o e n t e r
,
”
the Di vi n e P resen ce u n l e ss by t he f avo u r o f a fagu i r
, .

P e rso n s we ll a cqu ai n t e d wi t h s u ch m atte rs had t old hi m t h at

on o n e occ asi on a sadhu flyi n g t h ro u gh t h e ai r re c o g nis e d ,

by t he arom a whi ch fille d t he atm o sph ere t h e p roxi m ity ,

o f s o m e gr eat fa qu i r H e st aye d hi s fli ght ali ght e d o n

.
,

t h e g r ou n d b u t was u n abl e t o app ro a ch t he M u sli m s ai n t

, ,

ab o u t wh om was diffu s e d alth ou gh i n visi bl e t he gl ory , ,

o f t h e A l m ighty The s adhu s e n t w or d t o t he fa qu i r th at

.

h e w ou ld li k e t o m e e t hi m b u t t h at he c oul d n o t p ass ,

b eyon d t he thre shold o f t he bai thak or s al o o n wh e re visit ors ,

we re re c eive d for b e p e r c eive d that God Hi m s e lf was

,

t h e re .

”
C o m e ! s aid t he faqu i r c on fiden tly an d un der his ,

pro te c t i on t he sadhu was abl e t o app ro ach Wh en t he .

two ascetics m et t he Muslim re cognis e d i n hi s visi t or a

,

64
 W OND E RS S AD H U S AN D F AQ U I R S P E R FO R M

w orthy kin dr e d spi rit an d i m p arte d t o hi m freely t he ,

grace of God which he (t he s adhu ) had n ot b een abl e t o

a cqu i re by all hi s p e n an c e s an d c erem o ni e s .

Th ere is a wide sp re ad b eli e f t h at wh en t he faqu i r is

m ast (m ad or i n an e cst atic co n di ti on ) h e is u n d er t h e
,

i nfl u en c e o f t he D i vi ne S pirit an d t h at wh at he t h e n ,

give s u tteran ce to is o f t he gre ate st signi fic an c e Ve ry .

stran g e in d ee d are s o m e o f t he p ractic e s of whi ch this

, ,

b eli e f h as b een t he p are n t Wh en as is u s u al t he m ast .

, ,

fga u i r is r e t ic e n t a n d w i ll n o t sp e ak t h e w o r d t h at i s

wan te d of hi m on e i n qui re r will st rive to g ain hi s favo u r

,

b y p ati en t s ervice an d con stan t atten dan c e whi le an o t her , ,

m o re i m p u lsive an d i m p eri ou s wi ll t ry to bu lly t he g oo d ,

m an t o an swe r hi s q u e sti on s I t c am e t o m y kn o wle dge.

th at a n ative p o lice con stabl e wen t to a we ll kn own -

faqu i r t o b rowb e at hi m i n to p ro m isin g so m et hi n g which

he wan te d ; b u t t he faqu i r w ou ld n o t b e h e cto re d s o t h e ,

e n rag e d c on st abl e a cc u st om e d to t ak e t he l aw in t o hi s
,

o wn h an ds stru ck t he h oly m an a blow with a sto u t

,

stick The faqu i r thu s ass au lte d onl y s aid

.
, You are , ,

a z ali m (a ty r an t an o pp r e ss o r ) a
,
n d n o t an o th e r wo r d , .

On t he ne xt d ay t he c on st abl e t o hi s great j oy was , ,

p rom ote d to t he grade o f D e pu ty In sp e c t or of Police .

H e c am e with ou t d el ay t o pay his re sp e cts t o t he faqu i r ,

an d ,
on re a chin g t he s ai n t fe ll at hi s fe e t an d pl ace d hi s
,

—
turb an on t he groun d a m ark of t he gr e ate st de feren c e
an d h u m i lity .

Wh at have you com e for l aske d t he faqu i r .

To t h ank you si r for wh at you h ave d one for m e

, , .

By your favour I have b e en app oin te d D e p u ty In sp e ctor

”
o f P o lic e .

”
O h s aid t he l au ghi n g faqu i r n o t with ou t a s u spici on
, ,

of ir on y ,
I se e ! I c all e d you a z a li m an d yo u have got ,

”
th at p o siti on c on fe rr e d o n you o ffici ally .

”
E ven s o r e sp on de d t he happy o fficer
,
.

This story an d t he on e pre c e di n g it far fe tch e d an d ,

-

t rivi al t h ou gh th e y b e t h row a sid e ligh t on t he id e a s o f

,

I n di an M u sli m s an d m ay there fore h ave s om e in tere st

,

for stu de n ts of I n di an life .

B e tween t he m arv e ls wr ou ght by th e an ci en t Hin du

E 65
 TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
s ag e s , as re c orde d i n t he old b o oks an d th o s e attrib u t e d ,

t o t h e ir m o d e rn r e p re s e n t at iv e s th e r e is as t h e r e ad e r wil l , ,

d ou btl ess h ave n o t ic e d an im m e as u rabl e di ffe re ii ee wit h a , ,

s a d f allin g o ff B u t a s i n m e di aev al E u r o p e t h e ai r i n
.
, ,

I n dia is full o f m arve ls an d m ys t e ri e s an d i f we m ay b e li e ve

!

, ,

H i n d u ap ol ogi sts t h e re s t i ll live e v e n i n this sin fu l age

, , ,

v e ry p ot e n t w on de r w o rki n g s adhu s o n ly th e y a re n o t t o -
,

b e m e t wit h i n b a z aar s a n d t he o r din ary h au n t s o f m e n ,

b u t wh e re M a da m e Bl av at sky di sc o v e re d h e r e lu sive K o o t
H o omi an d o t h e r m ahatm as 1
i n t he l on e s oli t u de s o f ,

m ys t e ri ou s T i b e t or t he g ri m s n ow fas t n e ss e s o f t he
,
-

un e xpl ore d Him al ayas H owe v e r sin c e e xhibit i on s o f .

,

m i ra cu l ou s p o w e r s are n e c e ss arily of r are o ccu rr en ce i n

t h e s e d eg e n e r at e ti m e s t he abiliti e s o f m an y s adhu s ar e ,

displ ay e d i n l e ss striki n g w ays : for e x am pl e as physi ,

c i an s a d m i n iste r i n g t o t h e sick dr u gs an d sim m , e s o f which ,

t h e y h av e a cqu i re d a k n o wl e dg e i n th e ir w an d e ri n gs o r ,

ha d s ole m n ly c om m un ic at e d t o th e m by p e rh aps a dyin g

g u r u . M an y r e m ar k abl e c u re s are j u stly a t t rib u t e d t o

s adhu s b u t t h e y m ak e a m yste ry o f th e i r k n owl e dge

, ,

an d j e al ou sly gu ar d t h e ir th e rap eu tic s e cre ts fro m t he

com m on h e rd S om e ti m e s th e ir p ra ctic e is c on n e c t e d
.

wi t h ailm e n ts an d we akn e ss e s whi ch c all for t he e x hi

biti ou of l o v e philtre s an d a re s or t t o sp e lls c alc u l ate d
-

t o i n flu e n c e a c o ld i m p assiv e h e ar t I n s u ch c as e s n o
,
.
,

’
d ou bt t he s adhu s skill c an e asily c om m an d a c on side rable
,

p e cun iar y r e war d .

M an y re ligi ou s m e n dic an ts e arn a m eal or a p enn y by

discl osin g as f ortun e te ll ers p alm ists an d in terp re te rs o f
,
-
, ,

dre am s t he hidde n thi n gs o f t he fu tu re

,
O th ers ast on ish .

t he w or ld by a cr ob atic fe ats — as t he followin g e xtract fr o m

t h e All ah ab ad P i on eer will sh ow
A w on derfu l fa qu i r was i n vi e w i n t he m ain stree t ,

wh o all t he t i m e he s ays his p r aye r s g oe s th r ou gh acro b a tic

p e r form an c e s th at w ou ld e arn hi m a f o rt un e i n E n gl an d .

1
M h tm a m a a s li te rally g at s oul d t h hi gh m i d d oble
n e an re -
e , en -
n e , n ,

a d
n ll t he e s t
a I t i s o ft
r . u se d si m ply as c o m pli m e t y t m m u h
en a n ar er , c

as w e u se v d or h on ou able b t i t h as als o b n acc p t e d s

re e re n r , u ee e a a

t c h i cal t m
e n ppli d t o a c lass o f m n wh o i n t h a c i en t langu ge of
er , a e e e n a

I n di are we ll k o w t o u s by t h e i r n am e o f S m nyds i n
a n n Pr o fe ss or Max a / .
”
-

Mulle r L i fe
, and S ayi ngs o f Rama k r i s hna , pp . 2, 3 .

66
 C H A P TE R V

SO ME GL I M P S ES OF S AD H U S IN I ND I AN FI C I O T N

Ei gh t S t or i e sf ro m f am o us s
S an k ri t ram a Dan d o t s h er So ur c e s : ( 1) S e
k oon t al a ; (2) Ml a at i an d Mad h av a ; ( )
3 i i ll D s u si m on en t ; (4 ) The
h orn e d Ri shi ; (5 ) The L o t S o s
n re st ore d ; (6 ) A Ki d h n -
e art ed L ad y;
( 7 ) Th e F th a er d u pe d ; (8 ) Wo m an ’
s Cu nn i n g .

in I n di an life , so in I n di an
ficti on sadhu s an d fa qu i rs are ,

fam ili ar f orm s I t has al .

r e ady b e e n shown (Ch ap .

II ) h ow l arg e ly sadhu s .

b u lk i n t h e s acre d lite ra
tu re o f t he Hin d u s ,

e pics P u ranas e t c , ,

b u t I sh all n o w d raw
u p on s e cul ar or I ,

sh oul d p erh aps s ay

I es s s acre d so u r c e s for ,

pictu re s of t he s ain ts
of t he I n di an wo rld The followi ri g e ight stori e s i n whi ch
.
,

s adhu s an d ps eu d o sadhus figu re p ro mi n e n tly will s erv e

-
,

m y p u rp o s e wh i le at t he s am e ti m e affo r di n g s om e i n te r
,

e s t i n g glim ps e s o f t he i nn e r w or ld o f Hi n d u id e as an d s e n ti

m e n ts .

The c e l e b rate d st ory e n titl e d S ak oon t ala or t he L ost ,

R in g m ay c om e fi rst o n a cc ou n t o f its in tri n sic ch arm

,

an d its b e i n g chr on o l ogic ally t h e e ar li e s t o f th os e s e l e cte d ,

t oge th er wit h t he fact th at i t s ve ry atm osph e re is s ur

ch arge d with s e n tim en t s of p e ac e fu l re tirem en t an d m ild
a sc e tic i s m .

68
 G LI M P S E S O F S AD H U S I N I ND I AN F I C T I O N

I . THE S T OR Y OF S A KOON TAL A , OR TH E L OS T RI N G ,

BY K A LI DA S A .
1

F r om t he
learn as alre ady state d i n
R am ayan a we ,

Ch ap II th at the re was on ce a Kshat riya k in g n am e d

. .
,

Vi sv am i t ra wh o for t he p u rp o s e o f o ve r c om i n g a fam ou s
, ,

B r ah m an s age Vasishta with wh om he h ad c om e in t o

, ,

u n e qu al c o n flict u n de rw e n t for th ou s an ds of ye ar s t he
, , ,

m o s t t e rribl e au ste ritie s which e ve n tu ally le d t o t he u n ,

p re c e de n te d h on ou r o f hi s advan c e m e n t t o t he B rah m ani c al

c aste Whi le t he kin g was e n gage d i n t he rig ou rs of his
.

s e lf im p os e d tor tu re s t he god I n dra b e cam e j e al ou s of his

-
,

i n creasin g powe r an d s e n t a l ov e ly n ym ph of h e ave n ,

n am e d M e n ak a t o di s t ra c t his m e dit ati on s an d t o s e du c e

hi m from his v o ws Vi sv am i t r a u n able t o r esist h er allu re

.
,

m e n ts h ad t he b e au tifu l te m ptre ss t o sh are his h e rm itag e

,

for m an y ye ars .

A ccor din g t o t he gre at Hin du dram atist K alid as a 2

,

t he r e s u lt o f this u n io n was a d au ght e r S ak o on t ala t h e , ,

h er oin e of his n ow w orld fam ou s pl ay The g i rl was -

.

re are d i n a pictu r e squ e an d d e lightfu l h e rm it ag e o r col on y ,

o f h e rm its u n de r t he gu ar di an s hi p o f K an w a
,
t he chi e f ,

o f t h e an ch orite s I n t his re tire d Spot Du shyan t a o f t he

.
,

lin e age o f t he ren own e d Puru s kin g o f In di a wh en ou t , ,

on on e o f his fre qu en t hu n t in g e xp e diti on s disc o ve re d ,

S ak oon t ala n ow gro wn i n t o a l ov ely grace fu l m aid en i n

,

her e arly pri m e Al th ou gh t he kin g h ad m an y r oyal

.

con s orts he was l arge he arte d e n ou gh t o fall de sp erate ly

,
-

i n l o ve with t he f air re clu s e wh en h e m e t he r with t wo

girl c om p ani on s Pri yam v ad a an d An asu ya u n der t h e m os t
-
, ,

ch arm i n g an d Opp ortu n e cir cu m stan c e s ; for S ak o on t ala at

t h e m o m e n t wa s i n t r ou bl e fr o m t h e t o o aggre ssive an d
p ersis t e n t at te n t i on s o f an an gr y b e e wh o m she h ad dis
t u rb e d am on gst t h e fl ow e r s s he was g at h e r i n g With t he .

m aide n t o o i t was a c a s e o f l ov e at fi r s t s i gh t .

1
S ak oo n tal a , or the L os t Ri ng, an d d m t sl t d i t E gli sh
I n i an ra a, r an a e n o n

pro s e an d v s f
er e r om t h e S an k ri t s of K li d s by M i Wi lli m s M A
a a a on e r a , . .

( H e r t fo r d ,

K li d s w
2
a f th Ni G m s
a a as on e o e ne e of t he c our t o f Vik r am ad i t ya ,

a fam u s k i g who di g t t h m st
n , o, acc or n o e o r e ce n t re c k on i n gs gu ss s
or e e of

E u op n h
r l gi st s li v d i t h si xt h
ea c r on o o , e n e ce n t ur y of t he Ch i s t i
r an e r a.

59
T H E MY S TI C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS O F I ND I A
B oth victi m s t o K am a s darts s u ffe re d b adly fro m l ove ’

fe v er as t h e ir e m aci ate d fo rm s o n ly t o o cle arly an d t oo

,

qu ickly e vin c e d Thr ou gh t he affe cti o n ate if o fli c i ou s i n

.
, ,

t er fe re n c e o f Pri yam v ad a an d An as u ya a p air of d e ligh t f u l ,

lit t le sche m e rs it c am e ab ou t qu ite c as u ally th at t he

,

l over s w e re b y m u tu al c on fe ssi on s o f affe cti on re lie ve d

fr o m all t he h aun tin g d ou bts th at had till the n distu rb e d
th e ir s u sc ep t ible he arts .

I t wou ld s ee m th at while t he he r m it c olon y was u n de r

,

t he c on tro l o f a chie f or abb o t th e re was als o a h oly m atron ,

t he re n am e d Gau t am i wh o h ad e sp e ci al ch arge o f t h e
, ,

w om e n an d girls o f this ru ral s e ttle m e n t B u t p erh aps .

,

b e c au s e o f he r re ve re n c e fo r r oyalt y he r w atch fu ln e ss ,

s ee m s t o h ave b ee n at f au lt i n t he p re s en t c as e for very ,

s oon by m u tu al c on s e n t qu ite s e cre tly an d wi t h ou t c ere

, ,

m on ie s or f orm ali t ie s o f an y s or t t he kin g an d S ak oon t ala ,

we re un ite d i n we dl o ck by t he f orm o f m arriag e p re v ale n t

”
am on g I n d r a s c e le sti al m u sici an s
’
The k i n g afte r a b rie f .
, .

h on eym o on re t u rn e d t o his c apit al (H as t in ap u r ) le avin g his

, ,

n e w wife wi th he r fri e n ds i n t h e h e r m it age .

N atu rally S ak o o n t ala was m u ch d e p re ss e d at thi s e arly

,

s e p arati on fro m he r l ord an d whi le lost i n abs e n t m i n de d , ,

-

r e v e ri e n e ar h e r c o tt ag e n o l e ss a p e rs o n t h an t he g re at,

s age Durv as as arrive d to cl aim t he u s u al h ospitali t y .

App are n tly S ak o on t ala did n o t n otice his c om i n g an

, ,

o m i ssi on which s o in cen s e d t he affr on te d an d i rascible

S ag e th at he v e n te d his an gry fee lin gs i n this te rrible
c u rs e
Woe t o t hee m ai de n for d ari n g t o sli ght a gu e s t li k e
, ,

S h all I s t an d h e u w l c o m e d ; e ve n I re n e ,

Av y er m i ne l m it of p e ni t e n t i a er ,

W t hy f ll
or ot ? S h lt t h u
a re sp
sh m ai d ec a o , ra ,

T hu s t t se th a v s c d ti s
no u ght e e er a re e

O f h spi t li t y 2 d fix t hy t h u gh t s
o a
‘
an o

Up onth h i sh d bj t f t hy l v
e c er e o ec o o e,

Wh i l I m p s t 2 T hu s I u s t h
e a re e n th 7 c r e ee , en

H e, v h f wh m t h u t hi k s t h
e en e o o o n e , e

S h ll t hi k
a m n f th no i hi h t
or e o ee , n or n s e ar

R t i t hy i m g
e a n V i ly sh l t t h u s t i v
a e . a n a o r e

T w k
o hi
a m mb
en f t h p st ;
s re e r an c e o e a

H sh ll di s w t h
e a v as t h t
o n ee, e en e so ,

R u s d f m hi m i d i ght d unk
o e ro ss d i s
s n r e nn e , en e

Th w d s h u t t
e or d i hi s v lli gs
e e re n re e n .
”

70
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
’
an d An as u ya m in dfu l
,
of Du rv as as
cu rs e whisp e re d t o her ,

t h at S h ou ld t he kin g by an y ch an c e h av e f org o tt en h e r
, , ,

sh e sh ou ld on n o a cc ou n t f ail t o p ro d u c e t h e r i n g hi s ,

p ar tin g p re s e n t t o he r .

At ten de d by a fe w he rm its S ak oon t ala p ro ce e de d t o ,

’
h er h u sb an d s c apital an d was a dm itte d t o hi s p res en c e
’
b u t i n fu lfilm en t o f Du rv asas m alis on t he ki n g ha d los t
, ,

all re c oll e cti o n o f h e r an d c on sci en t i o u s m an th at h e was

, , ,

d e cli n e d t o re ce ive he r tho u gh he was n ot in s en sible t o

,

t he p e rs o n al ch arm s o f t he b e au tifu l w om an wh o sto o d

b ef ore hi m cl aimi n g t o b e his wife I n dign an t at his .

c on du ct one of t he h erm its thu s addre ss e d t h e k i n g i n

,

lofty strain
Bw e are !
Bw e are h ow t h u
h ly s g ! o i ns u l t Zt he o a e

R m mb
e h w h g
e u sly ll w d
er o e e n e ro a o e

Thy s t u i wi t h hi f st hil d
e cr e n on s o e r-c

An d h w wh t h u di d s t su
’
o , b hi m f hi t
en o ro o s re a re ,

H s u gh t t f u i sh t h
e o x cus wh
o th rn e e e, en ra er

H sh l d h v u s d th f vi sh ”
e ou a e c r e ee or a r a er .

’
B u t Du shyan t a s lly cl o u de d an d he
m e m o r y was re a ,

w ou ld n e it h er a ckn owle dg e n or re ce ive S ak o on t ala In .

he r g re at so rr ow an d de e p h u m ili at i on t h e p oor girl

r e fe r r e d t o t he S ig n e t r in g he r r o y al l o v e r h ad giv en he r ;

b u t on b e i n g ask e d to p r od u c e it di sc o ve re d t o her i n ex
, , ,
’
pr e ssibl e di s m ay an d t he k i n g s ill con ce al e d am u s e m en t -
,

t h at it was l ost .

Th e h e rmi ts wh o had a cc om p an i e d S ak o on t ala t o t he

’
ki n g s p re s en c e n ow re fu s e d t o c on du ct he r b a ck t o t he
h erm i t ag e ; whi le on t h e o t h er h an d t he vi rt u ou s ki n g
, , ,

wh o h ad n o tic e d h e r c on di t i on w ou ld n ot b e gu il t y o f ,

r e c eivi n g i n t o his ho u s e o n e who was e vid e n t ly t h e wife o f

an o t h e r m an .

’
I n t his m o st p ain fu l di l e m m a t h e ki n g s d om e s t ic p ri es t
g en e r o u sly o ffere d t o give t h e l ady an asylu m i n hi s o wn
h ou s e u n t il t he b i r t h o f her chi ld S ak o on t ala while b e in g .

le d aw ay b e w aile d h e r c ru e l fate ,

Whe n s u dde n lyshi a ni n g pp i t i o

a ar n

In f m l sh p d s
e a e a e e ce n d d f m t h sk i s
e ro e e ,

N ar t h nym p h s p
e e
’
oo l, d b e h
an u p t o h av
or er e en .

72
 G L I M P S E S OF S AD H U S I N I ND I AN F I C T I O N /

t he gir l s ’
ce le stial n ym ph Me n aka wh o
m oth e r , t he ,

m e t o t he r e scu e o f he r chi ld .

an d on
O f c o u rs e t he r in g was f ou n d i n d u e c ou rs e ,

b eholdin g i t t h e ki n g at on ce r e c ove re d hi s m e m ory o f t he

e v e nt s c on n e c t e d with hi s h appy c o u r t ship o f S ak o on t al a
’
in the flOwe ry glade s o f h e r f os t e r f at h e r s h e r m it ag e -
.

B e t we e n t he fe eli n gs o f p assi on ate l ove n ow re aw ak e n e d

i n his h e ar t an d t he bitte re st r e m or s e for his c ru e l tr e at
m e n t o f his n ow l ost d arli n g h e was b e sid e him s e lf wi t h gr ie f .

His m e n tal t orm e n t laste d for ye ars t ill at l en gth i n t hei r , ,

own g ood tim e t he g o ds kin dly i n t erp os e d

,
On t h e .

’
p re t ext of re qu i rin g Du shyan t a s h e lp again st a trou ble
s o m e rac e of gi an ts I n dr a s ch ari o tee r wai te d on hi m
’
,

an d t o o k h i m aw ay t hr o u gh t h e ai r i n a c e l e s t i al c ar Aft er .

b e in g re cei v e d by t he ru ler o f h e aven he was c arrie d t o ,

G old en Pe ak t he ab o de o f t he att en dan ts o f t he Go d

,

o f We a lth whe re
,

K asyap a ,

Wi t h A di t i hi s wi f e, in l m s l u si
ca ec on ,

D s h ly p
oe o e n an ce for th g e d fm oo o or t a ls .

The k i n g a sks his gu ide

In whi h c di re ct i on , M at ali , i s Ka syap s s a
’
acre d re t re at

To which t he ch ari o te er ,
poin tin g wit h his h an d ,

re plie s
Where s t an ds yon an ch ori te t o wards t he or b

O f t he m e ri di an s un i m m o vable ,

As a t re e
’
s st
b dy h lf em, ld hi s o a c on c e a e

By h ug a t hill R u d b u t hi b
e an -
st. o n a o s re a

N s o d d i t wi d b t i i t s t d
ac re c or s ne , u n s ea

A hi d u s s p t s sk i I pl
eo er en f kl
’
n; n ace o nec ace ,

Th t ed i ls f wi t h d
en r o p h f a e re cre e er c a e

Hi w st d
s ak H i m t t d h i d p ds
e n ec . s a e a r e en

In t hi k t gl m t b ut his sh ld s
c en an e en a o ou er ,

A d bi ds
n st u t t h i st s wi t hi i t f lds
r c on r c e r ne n s o .

I n t hi ss acre d re gi on o f qui e t h er mi t age s wh e re t he ,

”
h oli e st s age s de vo t e t h em s e lve s t o p e ni t en t i al ri t e s an d ,

whe re m ort als u nl e ss f av ou re d by t he high e r power s c ou ld

, ,

n e ve r o bt ai n ad mi ssi o n Ki n g Du shyan t a was d e sign e dly

,

b rou gh t in t o c o n t act wi t h hi s o wn s on a d ari n g wayward ,

’
in fan t who as b e co m e s a sci on o f Puru s f am o u s r ace l o ve s
, , ,

73
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S AI N T S O F I N D IA
to pl ay n o t wi t h t imi d p e ts b u t wi t h l u sty youn g l i ons
, , .

The kin g fe els hi m s e lf s t r an ge ly d rawn t o war ds t he f e arle ss

h an ds o m e chi ld an d aft er a li t t l e while i n acc ord an c e wi t h
, ,

t he will o f t h e g o ds m e e ts S ak oon t al a h er s e lf arraye d

,

i n t he g arb o f a wid o w To her h e n ow e xpl ai n s hi s .

s t ran g e r ep u di at ion o f her on t h at me m orabl e d ay whe n

sh e s ou ght hi s p r o t e ctio n at H a s t i n ap u r H e o b t ai n s h er .

f orgive n ess an d wi t h t he p e rm issi on an d bl e ssin g o f

,

K asyap a re asc en ds t he c ar o f I n dra t aki n g his wife an d ,

so n als o t o re tu rn t o hi s o wn c api t al
, The p i ou s ki n g .

l e ave s G o ld en Pe ak b reathi n g t h e ch aract eri s t ic ally

,

H in du p raye r
p u pl s lf xi st t g d
An d m ay t he r e e -
e en o ,

h s v l gy p v d s ll sp
W o e i t a e n er er a e a ac e ,

F m fu t u
ro t s mi g t i s s v m y s ul
re r an ra on a e o .

H ows atu rate d wi t h t he fe elin g o f p e ace ful asc e t icism

this ch arm i n g dram a is d oe s n o t n ee d t o b e p oi n t e d ou t ;
,

y e t I m a
y
’
r e c all t o t he re ad e r s m e m or y t h at it was t he
’
t error o f t he g ods at Vi sv ami t r a s d re adfu l au st e ri t i e s
th at le d t o t he tem ptati on o f t he asce t ic an d t he bir t h o f
t he h eroi n e wh o s e e arly ye ars were p ass e d bl am e l e ssly
,

am i dst a qu i e t re s t f ul g rou p o f w e ll o rd e r e d h erm i t ag e s -

,

a s o rt o f p as t o r al m on ast e r y u n d e r an e asy t o l e r an t ru l e .

’
The h e roin e s mi sf ort u n e s w e re t h e re s ul t of t he c urs e pro
n ou n c e d by an a ffr o n t e d asc e tic an d wh e n sh e is re j e c t e d , ,

by t he ki n g i t is t o t h e h aven of a c el e sti al h erm itag e th at

,
’
sh e is t ran sl ate d fr o m Du sh an t a 8 c apit al
y .

Throu gh ou t t he po em t he u n d ou b t e d powe r o f t he asce t ic

an d t h e u n qu e sti o n e d digni t y an d i m p o rt an c e o f hi s c alli n g

are am ply re cog n is e d .

II M A LA T I AND MAD HAVA

. .
1

Bh avabh u t i s f am ou s d ram a M a lat i a n d M adhava

In
’
, ,

wri t t en p rob ably i n t he e i gh t h c en t u ry A D we h ave a . .

,

gli m ps e o f o n e a sp e c t o f In di an asc e t icis m whi ch s t ill has

a gr e at an d p e rm an e n t f asci n at i o n for t h e H i n d u s vi z t he ,
.

1
S el ect S p eci m en s of the Thea tr e o f t he H i nd us , t r an sl ate d f rom t he
g l
ori i n a S an k r i t s by
H or ac e H a m an y Wi ls on , v ol . ii .
(Calc u t t a ,

74
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D
, , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
Thu s on e mp is gain e d Now by t he adv ice of on e of
s .
,

t he fe m al e disci pl e s o f t he p ri e s t e ss Madhav a g oe s t o ,

Kam ad ev a s t e m pl e whe re h e s e e s M al at i i n all he r vi r gi n

’
,

b e au ty an d straightway f alls i n l o ve wi t h he r H e r ap
,
.

shows un m ist ak ably t h at sh e is h e r s elf i n lov e

p e a r an ce

with s o m e fortun ate you t h o r o t h e r ; b u t her fe m al e

a t t e n d an ts wh en th e y c a st e y e s on Madh av a l au ghi n g an d
, ,

whisp erin g am on gst th em s elve s s ee m e d to s ay ,

The F at e s h v f v ou a e a red us ,

L ad — ey b h ld hi m t h ”
o e re !

The l ady onp ar t di d n ot f ail t o re ve al her adm i ra

he r
ti on an d her fe eli n gs towards t he yo un g m an by e xp re ssiv e
gl an ce s m u te ye t e l o qu en t A s she m ov e d away wi t h he r
, .

train o f att en d an ts on e of th em he r fo s t er sister Lav an gi k a

, ,
-
,

o n p re t e n c e o f ad mi ri n g t he g arl an d o f flow ers Madh av a

was w e ari n g l e t hi m k n ow t h e n am e an d r an k o f t he l ady

,
’
he h ad b een adm iri n g so p assi on at e ly A t t he m aid s .

re qu e s t ,
he p re s en t e d t h e g arl an d t o L av an gi k a for t he
a cc e p t an c e o f h er f ai r m i s t re ss .

Madhav a r el at e s t h e s e e ven t s to his fri en d Mak aran d a ,

an d whi l e h e is d o i n g so Kal ah an s a app r oach e s an d shows

, ,

t h e m t he po rt rai t of Madh av a p ai n t e d by M al ati .

A t Mak aran da s s u gge sti on Madhav a n ow dr aws a

’
,

p ortrait of hi s i n am orat a Man d ari k a t he vehara dasi.

, ,

app e ar s o pp ort u n e ly on t he sc e n e pre ten di n g t o b e i n ,

s ear ch o f t he pictu re whi ch Kalahan s a had c arri e d o ff ,

an d i s giv e n i n ste ad o f it t h e po r t r ait o f M al ati j u st dr awn

, ,

by her arde nt l o ver Thu s t h ro u gh t he i n s t rum en t ali t y

.
,

o f L av an i k a an d t he o th e rs t h h d h i f ll i
g e er o a n e r o,
n e a n

l ove wi t h o n e an ot h e r an d als o h ave t h ei r m u tu al p assi on

,

re v e al e d e ach t o t he o t h e r .

’
Thu s far all g oe s we ll ; b u t t he p ro ve rbi al l ove rs
t ro u bl e s h ave i n f allibly t o c o m e t he ki n g h avi n g d u ly ,

arran g e d wi t h t he f o rm al c on s e n t o f her f at h er t o giv e

, ,

M al at i i n m arri age t o Nan d an a wi t h ou t d el ay .

To fru s t rat e t he a cc om plish m en t o f t his u n d e si re d

u ni o n , Kam an dak i an d he r di scipl e s i n si di o u sly i n s t il i n t o
Malat i s m i n d fe e li n gs o f re volt ag ai n st he r f ath er an d art
’
,

f u lly s u gge s t t h at S ak oon t ala an d o th er l adi e s i n t he p ast

76
 G LI M P S E S OF S AD H U S I N I ND I AN F I C T I O N
had s e le c t e d the ir o wn hu sb an ds The c on spi rat or s als o .

b ri n g abo u t a m ee tin g at whi ch Madhav a m ake s a p erson al

,

d e cl arat i on o fferi n g his l ady lov e hi s h eart an d life an o ffer

,
-
,

i n g which Lav an gi k a a cc e pts for he r b ashful fri e n d s ayin g ,

I w f ans er or my f i d— h
r en s e de e m s t he gi ft s
D s vi g h
e er n er ac c e pt an ce .
”

B e side s ki n g s d e si re t o c on fer t he h an d of M al at i
t he
’

u p on hi s o wn f avo ur it e th e re were Othe r an d e ve n m ore ,

s eri o u s d an gers t hre ateni n g t he acc om plishm en t o f t he

un i on o f t h e two l o v e r s There was .

a s k ull be a i n g see r Agho a Ghant a -

r , r ,

A w d i g m di t b
an er n en c an , ut dw e lli n g n ow

A m i d s t t h i gh b u i g f
e ne o r n ore st ,
”

who ,
for t he fu lfil m en t of a powerful rit e whi ch woul d
t erm i n at e all hi s t oils had d e cid e d i n acco rd an c e with a
, ,

s ol em n vow t o s acrific e to t he godde ss Ch au m an dr a t he

,
”
e m o f w o m an ki n d
g .

To fu lfil t his dre adfu l obj e ct he had e n liste d t he ,

s ervic e s o f his disciple K ap al a Ku n d al a h ers e lf a p rie ste ss ,

o f Ch au m an d ra This p ri e ste ss o f t he dre ad g odde ss i s

.

de scrib e d as fre e d fro m all p e rish able b on ds an d she ,

o bvi ou sly p o ss e ss e d w on d e r fu l p o w e rs fo r sh e fi rst app e ar s ,

u p on t h e sc e n e r idi n g t hr o u gh t h e ai r i n a h e av e nl y c ar ,

dre ss e d i n a hide ou s gar b an d gir dle d with hu m an sku lls .

The t e m pl e o f Ch au m an dra st o o d alo n gside a cre m at i on

grou n d in t o whi ch Madhav a h ad g on e i n t he de ad o f n ight
,

with a lu m p o f hu m an fle sh i n his h an d t o wi n t he fav ou r ,

o r co m p e l t he assist an c e o f t he g o bli n s wh o i n fe ste d th at

,

gru e s om e sp ot Whi le p ur su in g hi s obj e ct a c ry o f dis

.

tre ss com e s t o hi m fr o m wi t hin t he tem ple an d re c ogn isin g , ,

with h orr o r t h e v o ic e o f M al ati he hu rrie s thi t h er , .

I n side t he te m ple d re ss e d i n scar le t an d ad orn e d with a

,

g arlan d stan ds M alati t he de stin e d s ac rific e an d rou n d ab o u t

, , ,

he r circle s A gh or a Gh an t a with qui ck ste ps a ddr e ssi n g t he ,

dr e ad g o dde ss i n s u ch p re scr ib e d t e rm s o f p rais e as w ou ld b e

!

a cc e pt able t o h e r K ap ala Ku n dala was i n att e n d an ce an d

.
,

at t he p ro p e r m o m e n t f acin g t he t re m blin g victi m,

s aid ,

Fai r m ai d ,

Thi nk upo n hi m wh om t h u o in li f h s t
e a lo vd
e ,

F or pi t il ss e de at h is ne ar t h ee .
”

77
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I NDIA
Bu t , b e f ore Aghora Ghan t a s sw ord cou ld f all u p on ’

t h e u n h appy gir l her l o ve r had spru n g t o her side an d ,

fo rc ibly p re ve n t e d t he bl o o dy rite Me an while by t he .

,

c om m an d o f Kam an d ak i t he age d p rie ste ss o f B u ddh a , ,

an d qu ite u n c o n n e c t e d with Madh av a s i n te rp o siti on

’
t he ,

fan e was s u rr o u n d e d an d t he e xcitin g t e m ple sc e n e c om e s ,

t o a cl o s e w i t h a n u n fi n ish e d figh t b e t w ee n A gh ora Gh an t a

an d Madh av a H owe ve r we le arn i n cid e n t ally i n t he n e xt
.
, ,

act t h at t he re s u l t o f this c on fli ct was fat al t o t h e w an d e r

,

i n g m e n dic an t an d we fi n d K ap al a Ku n d ala v owin g

,

ve n ge an ce ag ai n s t Madhav a for t he de ath o f her ven erable

1
gu r u .

The tfu l re s ou rc e s o f Kam an d ak i are n o t e xh au ste d

ar .

M alati dre ss e d for he r m arri age with Nan d an a t he k i n g s

,
’
,

fav ou rite is c on du cte d i n stat e t o a tem ple whe re

, , ,

u n kn o w n t o h e r Madh av a an d his fr ie n d Mak aran d a are

,

c on c e al e d The girl is i n de sp air an d wishin g t o t ake her

.
, ,

o wn life r e v e als he r p u r p o s e t o L av an gik a an d a sks h e r t o

,
’
c on s en t As t he fair an d distract e d l ady k n e els t ogh er
.
,

L av an gi k a m o v e s aw ay an d Madh av a t ake s he r pl ac e , .

The d e c e pti on is p re s e n tly de t e cte d an d a p r e tt y l o v e ,

sc e n e re s u lt s The p rie ste ss Kam an d ak i n e w st e ps u p

.
,

an d in t erp osin g as t he i n s t r um e n t o f F ate an d L ove

, ,

c on fers M al at i u p on he r en am ou re d S wain Mak aran d a .

dre ss e s u p i n t he b ride s attire an d p e rs on ate s Malat i

’
.

Th e l o v e r s are th e n bid t o p r o c e e d qu ickly t o t h e g ard en

o f t he s an ctu ary wh ere i n an ticip ati on o f e ve n ts t he , , ,

n e c e ss ary p r o visi o n h ad alre ady b e en m ad e for t h e er

p
form an c e o f t h e i r b rid al c e re m on i e s .

Mak aran da pl ays hi s p ar t as a wo m an so we ll th at b e

qu ite de ce ive s Nan d an a b u t wh en in stalle d as hi s brid e , , ,

h an dl es t he asto n ish e d b ride groom s o s e ve re ly th at he

le av e s t he h ou s e i n a rage Nan dana s siste r Mad ayan t ik a
’
.

co m e s t o re m on strate with her de ar fri e n d u pon he r

u n s ee m ly c on d u ct b u t t o he r ast on ish m e n t an d s e c re t, ,

de light fi n ds i n t he s u pp os e d M alati t he y ou th who had

, ,

1
Th t Agh a or a G h s i pl sh uld h v f il d i t h i bj t
an t a an d hi s d i c e o a e a e n e r o ec ,

a ft
er p pi t i
ro a t i g t h g dd ss
n e t h y di d i
o et t i b u t d by t h Hi d u
as e , s a r e e n

c om m e n t at o r e i t h r t t h i wi ck dn ss
e o t h i i ac u t p
e r e u i tie or e r n c ra e ron nc a on

of s om e pa t r o f t h i t u l —N t t p 6 0 f Pr fe ss
e r a o e Wi ls n s t sl t i
o . o o or o
’
r an a on .

78
T H E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
On t he b re e zy m ou n t ain s he in du lg e s hi s grie f till b o th
re as on an d life are th r eat e n e d Mak aran da is s o d e e ply .

’
m o v e d by his co m p an io n s sad f at e an d de sp e rate co n dit i on
th at he distracte dly c on te m pl at e s s u icide an d is i n t he ,

very ac t o f p re cipit ati ng him s e lf fr om t he ro ck s wh e n h e

is arre ste d by S an d ami ni I n re ply t o his i n qu iry who she .

m igh t b e S an d ami ni t e lls hi m t h at sh e is a yogi n i

,
t he ,
”
m i s t re ss o f s u p e rn al p o we r an d s he sh o ws hi m t he g arl an d
,

whi ch M al ati h ad b e e n w e arin g wh e n she dis app e are d .

A fe w m i n u te s l ate r Madhav a l e arn s fr o m her t h at M al ati

h ad b e en c arri e d o ff by K ap al a Ku n d al a th at sh e still liv e d , ,

an d t h at for he r p ro t e cti on S an d am i n i wo u ld e x e rt

The p w f ul k n wl dg whi h m yst i i t s

o er o e e c c r e an d p y s
ra er ,

De v ut bs vo d s in te d te h
o er an c e , an a a ac er

Had ar m e d her wi t

As a m atte r of fac t , s he
ctu ally re scu e d t he gi rl h ad a

fr o m t he ven ge ful h an ds o f he r in ve te rate e n e m y .

Callin g u po n Madhav a to acc o m p an y her the y b oth ,

in stan tly dis app e are d A little l at er at a m ost critical

.
,

m om en t wh e n Malat i s f ath e r was ab ou t t o co m mi t s ui cid e

’
,

on a fi m eral pyre o n acc ou n t o f he r s u ppos e d d e ath ,

S an d am i n i t he w on d e r w orki n g yogi n i c on ve ye d t h e l o ve r s
,
-
,

t o th e ir fri e n ds an d by s e cu ri n g t he c on s e n t o f t h e k in g
, ,

an d t h e ir r e sp e ctiv e p aren ts to t he u n i on o f Madh av a an d

M al ati bri n gs ab ou t a h appy den ou e m e n t

,
.

M an y are t he re fle cti on s whi ch t his ch arm i n g dram a

aw ak e n s . We fin d all t he u s u al d e vices o f t he m o de rn
E u ro p ean r o m an cers re sorte d t o i n t he pl ot s an d co un te r
pl o ts of this o ld Hin du pl ay We have t he h ero an d .

h eroin e driv en by un t oward ci r cu m st an c es an d fien di sh

c on spiraci e s t o t he v ery b rin k o f de sp air an d the n oppor ,

t u n e ly re scu e d j u st i n ti m e t o o bvi at e t he m ost s eri ou s

c o n s e q u e n c es S c ar c e ly d o we r ej o ic e with th e m i n th ei r
.

s afe t y an d h appi n e ss wh e n t he y are in volve d i n n e w an d

,

e v e n m or e s e ri o u s t r ou bl e s th an b e f or e ; ye t we fee l c on

fi de n t t h at all wi ll e n d w e ll an d o u r e xp e c t ati on s ar e n o t
,

dis app oi n te d S o far we are o n fam ili ar g r o un d B u t as

. .

we w atch t he dr am a u n folde d we are always con sci ou s th at

t he fr am e w ork of s o ci e ty an d t he c on ditio n s an d m odes o f
80
 G LI M P S E S O F S AD H U S I N I ND I AN F I C T I O N
s o ci al in tercou rs e de pict e d i n t he play as we ll as t he ,

re ligi ou s s e n ti m e n ts p e rv adi n g it are a li en t o t h e We st , .

The we ir d sc e n e s i n t h e ce m e t e ry at ni gh t an d i n t he
te m ple h ard by are e ss en t i ally an d ch ar ac t er is t ic ally I n di an ,

an d so als o are t he t h au m at ur gi e s o f t he wan d e rin g

m e n di c an t t h e p r ie ste ss e s an d t h e yogi n i wh o h av e acqu i re d
, , ,

t h e i r s u p er hu m an p ow er on ly thr ou gh t he p r acti c e of s e v e r e
‘

au st e riti e s .

III . Drs rLL U S I ON M E N T .

In c ertain vill age wi t hi n t he d om i ni on s of a f am ous

a ,

R aj ah t h e re live d a p oor B r ahm an w om an wi t h h e r onl y

,

chi ld a litt l e boy o f ten der ye ar s By t he l ab ou r of her

,
.

h an ds p art ic ul arly by gri n di n g c orn for her n e ighb ours

, ,

t he wi d ow e arn e d a b ar e s u bsist e n c e for h ers e lf an d he r

s on. O f c ou rs e t h ei r f are was o f t he si m pl e st an d c oar s e st

On e d ay p rosp erou s villag e r who was ce l eb ratin g a

a

h appy d om e stic e ve n t gav e t he B rahm an b oy a h e art y m e al

o f ric e c oo k e d i n m ilk an d swe e t e n e d wi t h s u g ar lu xuri e s ,

t o whi ch till th at ti m e t he chi ld h ad b e e n a s t r an g e r

, , .

Ne x t d ay when hi s u s u al c ake o f c o ar s e b r own b r e ad was

,

o ffer e d t o hi m t h e b oy m i n dful of t he d ai n ti e s o f t h e
, ,

p re vi ou s d ay re f u s e d t o eat it H e w an t e d mi lk an d rice
, .

an d s u g ar
”
Th at s aid hi s m ot her is m ore th an I c an give you
, , .

”
D e vi al on e can grat ify yo u r wi she s .

Now n ot far fr om wh er e the s e I n di g en t p e opl e live d

,

th ere s t o od a te m pl e o f D e vi b u t i n so rui n e d an d ,

n e gl e ct e d a c on di t i on t h at n o on e v isi t e d it I ts w alls .

were ren t from t op t o bottom an d ev en D e vi s im ag e was

’
,

c rack e d an d m u t i l at e d .

To t his di l apid at e d shri n e re p ai re d t he B rah m an boy ,

an d p r ay e d t h e p re si di n g g o dd e ss t o gr an t hi m ric e an d

mi lk for hi s m e al s For f o u r days h e lay i n t he t e m pl e

.
,

re fu si n g t o p art ak e o f t he fo o d o ffere d hi m by hi s m ot h e r .

At l as t t a ki n g c om p assi o n o n t h e i n f an t s u ppli an t t h e
, ,

e i ght arm e d g o dd e ss app e are d b e fore

-
hi m i n p e r s on an d
a sk e d wh at f avo ur h e s ou gh t .

F 81
T H E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I CS AND
, , S A I NTS OF I ND I A
O n ly ric e an d very d ay repli e d t he child
m ilk e , .

You sh all h ave i t re sp on d e d t he b e ni gn g o dd e ss

, bu t ,
”
ask for s om e thi n g m o r e i m p ort an t t h an t h at .

The littl e B rahm an t h e h oriz on o f wh o s e id e as wa s

,

e xtr e m e ly li m i t e d h ad n o o t h e r r e qu e s t t o p re fe r s o D e vi
, ,

gra ci ou sly h an d e d hi m an am ri tphal or fru i t c on ferri n g

i m m ortality .

The wid o w de e m i n g thi s gift m u ch t oo g oo d for on e

,

i n t h e i r h u m bl e ci r c u m s t an c e s advis e d her b oy t o p re s e n t
,

i t t o t h e R aj ah who wo u ld d ou b t l e ss m ak e s u ch a p e cu ni ary
,

r e t u rn for i t as w o u ld e n abl e t h e m t o liv e t he re m ai n d er

o f t h e i r liv e s i n p e ac e an d c om f ort U sh ere d in t o t he .

’
ki n g s p re s en c e t he chi ld h an de d hi m t he w on d erfu l fru it
,

an d t old t he st or y c on c erni n g i t .

After acce pti n g t he o fferin g an d re war di n g t he littl e

do n o r i n a s u itabl e m ann er t he R aj ah pu t t he w on de rful
,

frui t a side t hi nk i n g i n hi s h e art t h at t he c are s of hi s p o si

,

t i o n w ere t o o gre at t o m ak e it w ort h w hi l e to p r o l on g

hi s lif e i n d e fi ni t e ly b u t he d e cid e d m en t all y t h at hi s
,

b el o ve d R ani sho ul d b e p re s e n te d wi th t he am ri tphal an d ,

h avi n g e at en it en j oy p e rp e tu al y ou t h To her th ere fore .

, ,

he g av e t he fruit th at s am e d ay ; b u t she c on s u m e d wi th ,

l ove for a c e rt ai n darogah s e cre tly m ade i t o ver t o t h at

,

o ffic e r. Th ou gh he was t he p aram ou r o f t he R ani thi s ,

darogah re ally l o v e d a c our t e s an i n t he t own an d th at ,

s am e ni ght she was m ade t he p o sse ss or o f t he D evi s gif t ’

.

To p rolon g h er si n fu l life di d n ot s eem a very i n vi t i n g

p rosp e ct t o t his R ah ab an d t hi nki n g o v er t he m at t er she
,

arriv e d at t h e c o n cl u si o n t h at t h e R aj ah who was a ki n d ,

an d j u s t ru l e r , an d t he f at h er o f hi s p e o pl e w o ul d b e t h e ,

m ost w orthy re cipi en t o f s u ch an i m p or t an t gift as a fr u i t

o f i m m o rt ali t y ; so i n t h e m o r ni n g she c arri e d it t o hi s
, ,

m aj e sty an d l aid i t r e sp e c t f ul ly at his f e e t .

!
Wh ere di d you ge t this i n qui re d t he a s t oni sh e d
R aj ah r e c ogni si n g t h e stran g e fruit whi ch was r ais e d i n n o
,

t e rre s t ri al o r ch ard .

’
From t he darogah o f t he ho rs e s was t he c o urt e san s ,

re l u c t an t r e ply .

I n an i n s t an t t h e wh ol e p ai n f ul t ru t h fl ashe d u p on t he
disill u si on e d ki n g .

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 TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S AI N T S O F I ND I A
be i n du c e d t o t ake u p his abode i n t he city for so was it ,

wr itt en i n t he h o ly S hastras .

The R aj ah l o sin g n o t i m e s e n t m e ss en ge rs to i n d u c e
, ,

t he a sc e tic t o c om e t o his c api t al ; b u t t h e h orn e d s ai n t

h ee de d th em n ot s o t he s o v e reign we n t i n p e r s on t o t he
,

an ch orite ; b u t e v en h e c o ul d n ot p re v ail u po n S hri n ghi

R ikh to l e av e hi s fo r e st ho m e an d t he asc e ticis m s i n whi ch

-

he was e n g age d .

I n this di ffic ul t c risis a h arl o t g au di ly dr e ss e d an d

, ,

with h er lips re dde n e d with t he pd n she was e at i n g pre ,

s e n t e d h e rs elf b e fo re t he R aj ah an d s aid t o hi m j au n tily

0 ki n g I will b ri n g S hri n ghi R ikh t o you on c on
, ,

di ti on th at wh e n I d o s o you will give m e on e h alf o f y ou r

ki n gdo m I f you a gree t o t his I sh all m ak e t he s ain t
.

sh ave o ff his m at te d l o cks an d pu t on a tu rb an an d h avi n g , ,

q ui te s u bdu e d hi m I sh all l e ad hi m i n to yo u r m aj e sty s

,
’

p re s e n c e a ddi n g c on fid en tly
, With m y b eau ty I c an do
,
”
an yt hi n g I lik e .

Th e w or t hy R aj ah actin g for t he b en e fit o f his li e g e s

, ,

acc e pte d th e s e e xtr av ag an t c on diti o n s an d t he f ai r w an to n ,

we n t o ff t o t he j u n gle s wh e re t he s adhu live d T aki n g .

wit h he r a p arty o f b e au tifu l w om e n arraye d i n fin e ry an d

dre ss e d to p erfe cti on s he p re p are d a h abitati on for h e rs e lf
,

i n t he wo o ds a n d o n t he tre e s ar ou n d he r te m p or ary ab o d e
,

s he h u n g ludoos an d o t h e r d e lic aci e s an d whe n all he r

1
, ,

arran g e m e n ts w ere c o m pl e te c o m m e n c e d sin gin g t o t he

,

du lc e t acc om p an im e n t o f m u sic al instru m en ts .

The ri s hi s e e i n g th e s e u n accu sto m e d sigh t s an d h e ar

, ,

i n g swe e t s ou n ds t he like o f whi ch h ad n e ve r b e f ore r e ach e d

,

hi s e ars b e c am e ast on ish e d an d i n his p e rple xity c am e

, ,

t o t he c on cl u si on th at t h e y m u s t b e d u e t o visit an ts fr om
an o th e r w o rld . F e e li n g hu n g ry h e v e n t u re d t o plu ck ,

s om e o f t he n o ve l fru its (lu doos ) he di sc ov ere d gro win g o n

t he tre e s n e ar by H e f ou n d th e m de lici ou sly sw e e t an d
.

qu i te t o his t as t e an d w on de rin g h o w s u ch fru its had

, ,

app e are d t h e r e at t ri b u te d t h e m t o t h e o d I n dr a
, g .

”
Pe rh aps ,
s o lil o qu is e d t he s adhu t h e go d h as b e e n ,

graci ou sly ple as e d with m y au ste ritie s an d has co m e down

”
i n p erso n to witn e ss th e m .

1
Al ud ao i s a w
e ll - k n o w n I n di an swe e t m e at .

84
 G LI M P S E S O F S AD H U S I N I ND IA N F I C T I O N
Whi le thus fle ctin g he n o tic e d a w om an b e au tifu lly
re ,

dre ss e d an d de cke d with cos tly j e we lle ry stan din g a little

way o ff S o l o ve ly was s he th at t he m e re s i ght o f he r
.

r e m o ve d all his c are s H e w on de re d wh o sh e c ou ld p ossibly .

b e an d aske d h i m s e lf
,
From wh at dis t an t w orld i s t h i s ,

e n ch an t in g vi s i t an t

S u sp e n di n g h i s au ste ritie s he app r oa ch e d t he w om an , ,

an d fill e d wi t h w on de r s at d own n e a
,
r he r ; the n gr owin g ,

b o lde r w e n t u p t o he r an d b owi ng l ow s aid t o her , , ,

T e ll m e wh o art th ou ? Art th o u t he c on sort o f

,

S hiv j i o r of Vish n u
-
T e ll m e
-

S he s aid I am n ot a g odde s s b u t t he wife of Oodalu k

, ,

ri shi .
—
H e arin g of you for you r fam e has sp re ad far an d
—
wide I h ave com e t o m ake you m y hu sb an d .

H avin g t hu s S p oke n she l avishe d flat t e ri e s u pon hi m , ,

an d i n a sh or t ti m e by e xe r cisin g he r s e du ctiv e ch arm s ,

u p on t h e r e clu s e s he s u bd u e d h i m t o he r p u rpos e
, an d ,

b e f ore l o n g b r ou ght hi m away a wi llin g c aptive t o t he , ,

n e are st vill ag e When she c on du cte d S hri n ghi R ikh i n t o

.

’
t he R aj ah s d om ai n s t he r ain b e g an t o f all as t he B rah m an s ,

h ad p re dic t e d an d t he h e art s o f t he p e ople r e j o ic e d g re atly

, .

’
The ri shi was th e n m arri e d t o on e o f t he R aj ah s
’
d au ghte rs an d c on tinu e d t o live i n his father i n l aw s
,
- -

te rrit orie s whi ch for a l on g tim e de rive d t he g re ate st

,

b e n e fit an d g oo d f ortu n e from his p re s e n c e H owe ve r it .

,

c am e to p ass t h at e ve n tu ally his re sid en ce i n t he l an d

c au s e d an e xc e ss o f rain an d it was th ou gh t desirable t o ,

lu re hi m b ack t o his old m o de o f life S o t he s ervic e s o f .

t he c ou r te s an w e re on c e ag ai n c all e d in t o r e qu isiti on an d ,

s h e s u cc e ss fully p er s u a de d t h e s a dhu t o re tu rn t o hi s f orm e r

w oo dlan d h au n ts where he re s u m e d his lon g in te rru pte d ,

-

auste r i t i e s
1
.

1
Fai t h i n t he h lp
ly dh du i g s s s of d ught i
e of s t ai n t sa us r n e a on ro s no

e xt i t m gst t h H i ndu s v f
nc a on w tim s
e e en o o ur o n e .

Wi t h t h p g ss f t h s s t h e ro f
re p f i lu i I di i
o e e a on e are a o c ro a re n n a s

b mi g
ec o w d d d fi d N t h B m b y s m f th ti v
n n arr o e an e ne . or e rn o a , o e o e na e

St t s i
a e C t l I din d R jp u t
e n ra wi t h dj i i g p t i s f t h
n a an a an a , a o n n or on o e

Pu j b
n a i v lv d t h u gh i t i s t i ll d u b t ful wh t h
, ar e n o e , t h l ss f b t h
o s o e er e o o o

h v st s wi ll b m pl t v v y
ar e e co id bl t t s Th e e o suffi i t
er er c o ns e ra e r ac . e r e are c en

f od st k s in t h un t y d i si g p i s wi ll s u
o oc e co m y i th i
r , an r n r ce ec re e c on o n e r

c on s um p t i n R li f m as u s
o . dy O f ud t y S t te d i s v d
e e e re are re a . ne e a or a co e re

85
TH E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I N D I A

V . TH E L OS T S ON R E S T OR ED .

Th e re was at o n e t im e a ve ry gre at R aj ah n am e d S u k re t
S in gh H is R ani s n am e was J ewan k ala To t he m a
.
’
.

s o n was b o rn ; b u t fo r s o m e r e as o n o r o th e r t h e i n f an t was

n o t s at isf a c t ory t o hi s u n n atu ra l m o t h e r s o s h e qu i e tly ,

flu n g t he b aby in t o t he s e a an d i n form e d her h u sb an d ,

t h at a tige r had c ar ri e d hi m o ff The R aj ah b e li e vin g .

,
’
his wife s story c om for te d he r s ayin g , P e rm ashwar , ,

”
( G o d ) will giv e y o u m o r e s on s Y e t tw e n ty fi v e y e a r s .
-

p ass e d aft er this e v en t an d t he R an i was n ot bl e ss e d ,

with an o th e r child .

O e
n d a a b o t thi s p e r i od — th at is tw e n t y fi v e y e ars
y u -
,

af t e r t he di s app e aran c e o f he r i n f an t—t he R an i s aw a

v e ry h an ds om e you n g m an an d her he art b e c om i n g c aptive , ,

t o his b e au ty sh e s e n t a bi chau li ya (a fe m al e go b e tw ee n )
,
-

t o i n vite hi m t o a cl an d e sti n e i n t e rvie w H e c am e at t he .

’
R ani s r e qu e st an d g ratifi e d h e r wick e d d e si re s
, With t he .

cu n n in g o f t he s erp en t she c on fide d t o h e r n e w l o ver t he

’
t ru e st ory of he r b aby s dis app e ar an c e an d h ow she h ad ,

fals e ly st ate d t h at h e had b e en c arrie d o ff by a t ige r .

”
N ow s aid t he R an i t o he r p aram o u r
,
I w an t you ,

t o u n de rst an d th at you w e re c arri e d aw ay by a j ogi i n t he

form o f a t ige r th at in ste ad o f de stroyin g you t he sadhu
,
’
re are d ou hi m s e lf an d t h at k n owi n g ou t o b e a ki n g s
y , y ,

s on ,
he had discl o s e d to you th e s e i m p ort an t f a c t s o f yo u r
hist ory b e fore g oin g away on a j ou rn ey t o a v ery distan t
l an d .

The R ani thu s t au ght t he y ou n g m an an d he ag ree d ,

t o ac t i n acco r d an c e with h e r wish e s .

A d ay or t wo aft erw ards t he R ani s aid t o he r h u sb an d ,

a re s our c e d e ni d t o t h e B i t i sh Gove rn m n t an d t h ere by se c ur d a sp e c i al

e r e ,
e

r ai nf all ll t o i t s e lf whi l s urr o u d i g d i s t i c t s

a e m i e d d ou gh t s t i c k e n
n n r re a n r -
r .

A w a d i n g B h m an of p u li s c t i t y was foll owe d by o wds wh

n er ra ec ar an cr , o

g ve hi m o p ace t ill he o s t d t pply hi occ ult p ow s t o t h e li f

a n e c n en e o a s er e r e

o f t h i p c he d fie lds
e r ar W o u t by t h e i r i m p
. t u i t i s t h h oly m a a t
orn or n e ,
e n

l as t t d w a d v w d h e w u ld n o t i se t i ll t h e w te fl o we d o v
sa o n n o e o hi s fe e t
r a r er .

I t wo h ur s t h b az e n sk y was ove c as t
n o e r ai se t i n an d t we lve h u s r , r n ,
o r

l te r t he B ahm n w s an k le d e p The si t u at i o was s v d—an d t he m an

a r a a -
e . n a e .

Th i s at le st i s t he re p o t se m i offi ci lly furni she d by t he S t at t o t he

, a , r -
a e

p li t i
o c al offi ce r .
”
—
S aturday R evi ew, 7t h O ct o be r 18 9 9 .

86
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I N D IA
’
t he j ogi s che la , a c o m e wi t h his m ast e r
fe llow wh o us e d to
as hi s b o dyg u ar d an d h ad b e e n app o in t e d t o t h e p es t o f
’
d o or k e e p e r an d s e n tin e l du rin g his gu ru s s u rre ptiti ou s
-

visits t o t he frail if fair l ady , ,

.

Whi le m at te rs we re b e in g thu s h astily arran ge d t he ,

hu sb an d arriv e d at his h o m e The j ogi wi t h m u ch .

,

si m u l at e d wrath re p e at e d t he w ords he h ad b ee n tau ght

, ,

b u t a ft e r a sh ort ye t fu ri ou s h owl o f r age h e w e n t aw ay ,

b ran dishin g his sw or d i n a m e n acin g fashi on .

”
D e ar hu sb an d s aid t he l ady e xpl ain i n g t he S itu ati on
, ,

t o he r b e wild e r e d l ord th at j ogi was b urn i n g with an ge r

,

o wi n g t o s om e m ist ak e m ad e by his che la He was g oi n g .

t o kill h i m an d w ou ld h ave d on e s o b u t for t h e asyl u m I

,

h ave afforde d hi m I p e rm itte d t he p o or fe ll ow t o hide

.

him s e lf i n ou r h ou s e an d thu s av o id t he c on s e qu e n ce s o f
,

’
his gu ru s wrat h Now let u s re l e as e h i m He is hidde n .

i n t h a t c orn e r p oi n tin g t o t he pl a ce o f c on c e alm e n t

,
.

Th e hu sb an d was v e r y pl e as e d with t he th ou gh t fu l
ki n dn e ss displ ay e d by his ch arm i n g wife S o t he m an .

wh o h ad b e e n c on c e al e d i n t h e h ou s e was q u i e tly h urri e d

o ff t h e p r e m is e s an d w e n t aw ay j o yf u lly t o r e j o i n hi s
,

w ort hy gu ru — t he am orou s j ogi very g ratifi e d in de e d th at , , ,

m at t e r s h ad i n t h e e n d tu rn e d o u t s o s atisf act orily for

hi m s e lf .

VI I . TH E F AT H E R D U P ED .
1

was a R aj ah n am e d Nilk at e o f P opee wu t ee city

Th ere .

Man gu b e ch at e r his wif e was lik e an i n c arn ati on o f t h e

, ,

g odde ss of l o ve an d t h ei r d au ght er n am e d S ri Ai gu n
, ,

j am u t t ee s o b e au
, tif ul t h a t i t m i gh t b e s aid o f h e r t h a t s h e

e xc e ll e d t h e m oon i n b rilli an cy an d a pp eare d t o h av e b ee n

fashi on e d by t he h an d o f B rah m a hi m s elf Th ere was a .

n e i ghb o u ri n g R aj ah S ri m an t i lk by n am e t oo h an ds om e t o
, ,

b e d e sc r ib e d S o i n c om p arabl e in d ee d was h e t h at t h e
.
, ,

sun s e e in g his p erf e ctio n b e cam e ash am e d o f hi m s elf

, , .

O n c e S ri Al gun j am u t t e e w en t to a g ard en to whil e a way

1
In t i hs
f ll wi g t l
an d t he o o n a e t he x t f t h i gi ls h b
te o e or na as e en

re n d d m li t lly t h i t h p
e re ore e ra an n e re ce di g s t i s t h gh t h g ss ss
n or e , ou e ro ne

o fl gu g wh i h i
an a h te i s t i f
e c s c arac r c o so m y f t h s p du t i s h b
an o e e ro c on as een

a v id d
o e .

88
 G L I M P S E S OF S AD H U S I N I N D IAN F I CT I O N
her ti m e ‘

the r gi rls o f her own age

wi t h o Th ere she .

h app en e d t o s e e R aj ah S ri m an t i lk an d b e c am e e n am oure d ,

o f hi m . S he was so affe c t e d by thi s su dde n p a ssi on th at

wh e n she wen t h o m e she was lik e a g am bl e r who h ad los t
all h e e v e r p o ss e ss e d By a sign al from he r e ye s she
.

s um m on e d t o he r side on e of h e r youn g an d t ru st e d
c o m p an i on s an d gi vi n g h er g old an d j e we ls e n t r eat e d he r
, , ,

t o b ri n g ab ou t a uni on b e t w e en h e rs e lf an d t he y oun g R aj ah
who h ad s o c om pl e t e ly c ap t u re d h e r s u sce ptibl e h ear t .

”
I f I do n ot get hi m s aid t he l o ve sick pri n c e ss , I -
,

sh all t u r n a yogi n i an d fli n gi n g awa y all m y j e we ls and

, ,
’
fin e ry fly t o t he l on e ly f ore s t s or taki n g a b e ggar s g ou rd
, ,

i n m y h an d I sh all wan d e r ab ou t t h e w orld livi n g u p on

, ,

t h e al m s o f t he ch ari t abl e I wan t hi m t o b e t he ve r y

.

a ppl e o f m y e ye an d f aili n g t h at I sh all kill m ys e lf

, Al as .

why h ave I live d so l on g t o s u ffe r all thi s t o rt u r e all this ,

b u rni g p ain
n 2

Whe n t he gi rl c om p ani on s aw he r distre ss she c ame

-
,

cl o s e u p t o he r an d l au ghi n g s aid i n h er e ar , ,

D on t fre t ; I ll s e n d s om e cl e ve r wom an t o hi m
’ ’
, .

Th e s e S im pl e w ords s e em e d v e ry swe e t to t he l ove l orn -

p rin c e ss i n h er gre at t rou bl e .

I n a cc ord an c e with h e r p ro mi s e t he gi rl frie n d s e n t a ,

-

cl e ver bi chau li ya t o R aj ah S ri m an t i lk t he prin c e ss h erself ,

m e re ly s ayi n g
Do wh at is n e c e ss ary b u t s av e m y li f e ,

The bi chau li ya f oll o we d aft er t he R aj ah wh o was o u t ,

hun t i n g S he dre ss e d h e rs e lf i n c o s tly garm en t s an d

.
,

d e ck e d hers e lf o u t wi t h j e wels o f rare b e au t y an d valu e .

Wh en t he Raj ah s aw s u ch a l ovely cre atur e a b ei n g lik e a ,

re al per i i n t h e m i dst of t h e j u n gl e h e was a s t o ni sh e d

, ,
.

I s t his re spl e n de n t cre atu re of t he ra c e o f t he De v t as ,

Gan dharb as Dai t yas or Nag as or i s sh e r e ally h u m an 3

‘

, , ,

Le t m e I n qurre why sh e h as co m e h ere I S sh e n o t .

l ov e ly 2
Thi n kin g t hu s t he R aj ah a pp roach e d he r an d vi e wi n g
, , ,

he r b e au t y at cl o s e qu ar t e r s f e ll i n l o ve wi t h her at o n c e
,
.

The bi chau li ya on h e r p art h an d e d hi m a p e arl n e ck

, ,

l a ce an d a l e tt er from h er m i stre ss an d whi l e d oi n g so ,

89
TH E MY S T I C S AS C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS O F I ND I A
You ,
sir I h ave f all en i n l ov e wi th m y
, c an se e ,

b e au t y ; b u t s he who h as wri t t en thi s is a th o u s an d ti m e s

”
m or e l o v e ly t h an I Com e wi t h m e an d fe as t your e ye s
. .

The R aj ah e n t ic e d by t hi s gl owi n g d e scrip t i o n o f t h e

,

ch arm s o f t he p ri n c e ss a gre e d t o a cc om p an y h er f aithfu l ,

m e ss e n ge r H e f o rg o t all ab ou t hi s o wn affai r s an d fill e d

.
, ,

wi t h t h e i d e a o f t h e l o v e ly p ri n c e ss h e pu t t h e h an ds om e ,

bi chau li ya i n t o hi s ch ari o t a n d d ro v e wh ere sh e di re c t e d

hi m t o go The way was l on g b u t at l as t t h e y arriv e d
.
,

n e ar t h e p al a c e o f t he l o v e sick p ri n c e ss The R aj ah n ow -
.

di sgui s e d him s e lf as a s adhu an d li t hi s fi re wi t hi n s i gh t

o f h er wi n dow Dai lv with t he p erm issi on of her fat h er
.
, ,

u s e d t h e p ri n c e ss t o c om e an d pi ou sly f ee d t he g oo d s adhu

wi th he r own h an ds A t ni ght wh en e v eryon e was asl e e p

.
, ,

sh e w o ul d visi t hi m also I n thi s way t he p ri n c e ss wa s .

very h appy No o n e re c ognis e d t he di sgui s e d R aj ah or

.

s u sp e cte d wh at was g oi n g on On e d ay S ri Algun j am u t t e e .

w en t t o he r f ath er an d d elib erat ely s aid t hi n gs whi ch S he

kn e w wo ul d e xcit e his an ger S he s u cce e de d we ll e n ou gh .
,

for t h e ki n g b e c am e so e n rag e d t h at h e ord e r e d hi s vaz i r

t o t u r n h er o u t o f d o or s i n t o t h e j u n gl e Whe n she h e ard .

thi s ro yal c om m an d S ri Algun j am u t t e e p re ten de d t o b e

very un h appy an d cri e d bitt erly t h ou gh s e cre tly re j oici n g
, ,
’
i n he r h e art The i n c e n s e d an d i m pl ac abl e f at h er s
.

p e rem ptory c om m an d T ak e her away at o n c e was o f

, ,

c our s e ob ey e d i m plici t ly an d t he p ri n c e ss was c on v eye d ,

t o t h e f ore s t an d l e ft t h e re
, .

B u t i n a v e ry sh o r t tim e her lov e r c am e an d j oi ne d

’
her an d af t er t h e y h ad e n j o ye d th e m s elve s t o t h ei r h e art s
, ,

c on ten t he c arri e d her o ff t o his own ci t y

, .

VIII . WOMAN S CU NNI N G ’

.

J ogsai n was t he n am e o f a c e rt ai n R aj ah , an d hi s R ani

’
s
n am e was S ri S an yaspat i . S h e h ad a so n b or n t o he r ,
who , whe n h e gre w u p was ve ry b e au t i fu l I n t he ci t y , .

o v e r which J o sai n rul e d t h e r e was a J fit w o m an wh o f e ll

g
d e sp e rat ely i n l o ve with t he y o un g p ri n c e an d t h ou gh she ,

u sed , on on e p r e t e n c e or an o th er t o s e e hi m e v e r y d ay , ,

e t sh e f oun d n o Opp o rtun i t y o f a tt ai ni n g h e r wish e s T

y o .

90
 C H A P TE R V I

S AD H U S AS D E S CRI B ED B Y S O M E EU R O P EA N
VI S I T O R S T O I ND I A

Gre e k an d R o m an A ccoun t s of S ad hu s h
an d t e i r Pr ac t i c e s— bs v t i s
O er a on

reg di g S dh u s
ar n a an d th u
e i r P e c li ari t i e s
re c or d e d
i n t h e Works f th o e

J w ll T v
e e er a e r n i e r , t he P hys B
i ci an e rn i e r t he, M h t
S e n i or er c an

J m s F b s th
a e or e ,
e Mi ssi y W d
on ar ar , Col on e l Sl m
ee d Bi sh p
an , an o

H b e e r.

I S TOR TI ON
isin g from ar

ign oran c e an d p re j u dic e

is u n av oid ably p re s en t
i n all pict ur e s o f an
a li e n civilis at i on d ra wn

by visit or s c o m in g fr o m
c ou n trie s r e m ote b o th
g e ogr aphic ally an d i h
t ell e c t u ally ; ye t th e s e
pic t u re s h av e th e ir valu e ,

a ffo r din g as th e y o fte n d o

—
i m p ort a t facts wr on gly
n

a , ,
—
in te rpre te d p e rh ps b u still facts for t he form atio n
t
o f a j u dg m e n t i n re sp e ct to t he g ro w t h an d d e v e lop m e n t

of cu st om s an d in s t itu ti on s For th i s re as on it s ee m s
.

d e s i rable t o re c all t o m in d s u ch p art ic u l ars an d i m p re s

si on s i n re gard t o s adhus as E u rop e an trav e lle rs o r re siden ts ,

i n I n di a o f a byg on e age h av e pl ac e d on r e c or d for ,

t h e b e n e fit o f t h e i r c o n te m p orari e s an d s u cc e e d i n g ge n e ra
ti on s.

Wit h wh at a dm iri n g w on derm e n t t he G re eks an d

R om an s r e g ar de d I n dia an d its stran g e p e o pl e a fte r t he
M ac e d on ian i n vader lifte d t he ve il which h ad for age s
s e p arat e d fr om t he We ste rn n ations t h at m ysteriou s l an d
92
 S AD H U S DE S C R I B E D B Y E U R O P EAN V I S I TO R S
an d its tran qu il civi lis ation classical lite ratu re am ply
”

t estifi e s .

Ami dst t he m an y u naccu stom ed obj e cts an d in s t i t u t ion s

which attracte d t he att e n t i on o f E u ro p e an vi sit ors b ey on d
t h e I n du s t he asc e t ic phil o s o phe r s (B rahm an an d B u ddhi st )
,

an d t h e ir p e c u li ar w ays w er e n o t t he l e as t i n t e r e s t in g .

App re ciative st orie s o f t he wisd om of the s e phil os ophe rs

m o o hi t t h G ree k s c all e d th e m — h ave co m e d o wn t o
gy n s p s s e

us ,
with descripti on s of som e o f t he cu ri ou s p en an c e s t o
which th e y s u bj e cte d t he m s e lve s Fr om the s e n arr ative s .

we le arn th a t t he asce tic s ag e s wh o w e re he ld i n t he v e ry ,

highe st h on ou r by b o th t he p e ople an d the ir ru le rs li ve d ,

an au ste r e life o ft e n i n c o m m u n it i e s ;
,
th at the y st u di e d
s e lf c on trol S p e n t m u ch o f the ir tim e i n s e ri ou s di sc ou rs e s
-
,

an d i n i m p ar ti n g wisd o m to ot he rs te achin g th at t he ,

b e s t d o ctrin e was that which re m ove d pl e asu re an d grie f

” 1
from t he m in d A s t o the ir s e lf m ort i fi cat i ons t he Gre e k
.
-
,

an d R o m an acc ou n ts S h ow th at i n t h e ir n atu r e th e y w e r e

v ery sim il ar t o t h ou gh pr ob ably n o t s o s e ve re as th os e

, ,

practis e d i n I n di a at l ater p erio ds For e x am ple on e o f .

,

the s e asce t ics w ou ld li e n ake d on hi s b ack i n t he Op e n ai r ,

e n du ri n g all t h e vicissi t u d e s o f sc or chi n g s u n shin e an d

chillin g rain ; an other w ou ld stan d for h our s on o n e leg ,

s u pp or tin g with b oth h an ds ab ov e his h e ad a be am of wo o d

s om e three c u bits l on g a t hird w ou ld fi x his g az e u p on t he
risin g s u n an d st ar e at t h e gr e at l u m i n ary all d a t i ll h e
, y
di s appe are d b e l ow t he we s t e rn h oriz on An d whe n afflicte d .
,

wit h dis e as e or tire d o f life t he s e wi s e m en o f In di a w ou ld

,

s om e tim e s e re ct a pyre an d volu n tarily perish i n t he fl am e s

i n t he p re s e n c e o f t h e m u ltitu de .

H avin g s atisfie d ou rs e lve s fr om Gre e k an d R om an ,

s ou rce s o f t he an tiqu ity o f t he asce tic p ractic e s o f t he

,

I ndi an s age s We m ay p assin g o ve r m an y c en tu rie s profi t

, , ,

ably t ak e st o c k e ve n c u rso r ily o f t h e fa cts an d i m p re ssi o n s

, ,

re g ar di n g s adhu s which s o m e o f t h e c o m p ara tive ly m o de rn

E u r op e an visit ors t o I n di a an d o ffic ial or o the r re side n t s

,

t h e re h ave r e c or de d i n t h e i r p u blish e d w or ks
, .

Wh en M T averni er trave ll e d i n t he M ogu l E m pire as

.

a d eal er i n p re ci ou s st on e s a b ou t t he m iddl e o f t he s e v e n
,

1
S tr a bo , M Cri ndle
‘ ’
s Anci ent I ndi a, p . 71 .

93
 TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS OF I NDIA
t e en t h t y t he lan d he s aw was v ery diffe ren t i n m an y
ce n u r ,

im p o rt an t re sp e cts fro m th at which h ad m e t t he eye s of

t he M a ce d oni an h ero .

M an y an d s t ri kin g ch an ge s had n atu rally o ccu rr e d

d u rin g t he t wo t h ou s an d ye ars which h ad e laps e d sin ce
t he f o ur th c en t u r y b e fore Ch rist Ne w w orld re ligion s h ad .
-

aris e n sin c e th e n an d t he f o ll o w e r s o f t h e l at e s t b orn o f

,
.

r —
th e s e c e e ds alie s f n r o m n r —
Ce t al A si a w ere m asters
o f a g re at p art o f I n di a wh e n t h e Fr en ch m an t rav e ll e d

t h e re Ye t t he s adhu was still a p r o mi n e n t figu re i n I n di an

.

life , an d Hin du asce tics we re as i n Gre e k ti m e s m u ch , ,

i n e vide n c e e ve rywh e re for M T averni er sp e ak s o f

, .

t he
!
i nfi n ite m ul titu de o f faqu i rs th at swarm all ove r
”
I n di a g e n erally m o vin g abou t i n l arge p ar tie s an d qu it e
,

n ak e d .

Th e s e faqu i rs— for s o h e de sig n ate s s adhus o f all s e cts

— we re he te lls u s foll owers or i m itators o f R av an t he
, , ,

de m o n k in g o f L ank a who abdu cte d t he fair S it a fr om he r

-
,

h ermi t ag e i n t he wo o ds o f D an d ak a This o f c ou rs e is .
, ,

in c orre c t for t h ou gh a cc ordin g t o t he l eg e n ds R av an h ad

, ,

b e en a gre at asc e tic i n his ti m e an d acqu i re d s u p e rhu m an ,

p owe r by hi s au ste ri t ie s n on e o f t he asc e tic s e cts set u p

,

for b e i n g his followers

’
B u t th ou gh T av e rn i e r s k n owl e dge
.

o f t h e o rigi n o f t h e s adhu s was o n a ar with th at o f m o st

p
E u r op ean visit ors t o I n di a u p t o an d i n clu din g ou r own
ti m e still he c ertain ly t ook in te llig e n t n ote of wh at c am e
,

u n de r his o wn obs e rv ati on i n r e g ar d t o t he s e v e re aus

t e ri t i es p r actis e d by s om e o f t h e m I n t he E n glish v ersi on .

o f his trav e ls p u blishe d i n L on don i n 168 4 t he re is a

, ,

curi ou s e n gravi n g illu s t rati n g s om e o f th es e s elf i nfli ct e d -

t ortu re s 1
.

This pl ate app e are d t o m e so in t ere s t in g for m any re as on s

t h at I re p r o du c e it (Fig t oge th er with t he followi n g
.

e xpl an at ory n o te s by o u r au t h or 2

No 1 i s t h e ar t
. p wh
e r e t he B r am i n s ai n t t e ir i o p h d ls s u c h as Mam an i v a ,

v
S i a Mad e di n a an d o t e r ,
, ere o t e
, h s wh
a e a f h yh v g re a t n u m ber .

No 2 i s a
. fig
u re of Mam ani v a, hi c i s i n t he a o w h p g d .

. h p g d
No 3 i s an o t e r a o n e ar t he or m e r e re ft an d . Th s s a c ow a t t he d oor,
an d i t i n t anw h s ds
t he ur e of t e i r god R amfig h .

1
Tra vel s i n I ndi a , p ar t I i . bo ok ii . c hp
a . vi .

94
 S AD H U S D E S C R I B E D B Y E U R O P EAN VI S I TO R S
No 4 i s . an o t h er p gda o , i n to
,
whi h c t he faqu i rs t h at do p e n an ce o ft en

re t i re .

. h p g d d di t d t R m
No 5 i s an o t er a o e ca e o a .

No 6 i s a h u t i n t o
. whi h f q i m k s hi t i m t s v l t i m s c a a u r a e s re re en e era e a

y th bi gb t
e ar , h l t l t i t h li ght H s t ys t h
ere e n u on e o e o e n e . e a e re

di g t t h h i ght f hi d v t i s m t i m s i
ac c or n o e t d ys
e o s e o on , o e e n ne or en a

t g th wi t h ut i t h
o e ti ge r, d i ki g t hi g whi h I
o uld t
e er e a n or r n n a n c co no

h v b li v d h d I t s i t
a e e e e a no een .

N 7i o figu f t h p i t t i y v wh s h d s v l y s h v
. s a re o an o er en en ar , o er o e ea e era e ar a e

p ss d d y t h
a e v sl pt d y an i ght Wh h fi ds hi m s lf
e e ne er e a n or n . en e n e

sl py h h gs t h w i ght f t h pp p t f hi b dy u p
ee , e an d u bl
e e o e u er ar o s o on a o e

p t h t i f st d t
ro e f t h b u ghs f t h t
a s a ; d by t h
e ne o on e o e o o e re e an e

ti u c onf t hi s p s t un whi h i v y s t g d p ai f ul t h
an ce o o re , c s er ran e an n , ere

f ll s hu m u i t t h i l gs t h t sw lls t h m v y m u h
a a o r n o e r e a e e er c .

N 8 i t h fig
o . f t w p st u s f t w d i g p
s e ur e o wh l ng o o re o o o n e n an c e , o , as o as

t h y li v y t h i m s b v t h i h ds i t h t m
e e , c arr ; whi h
e r ar a o e e r ea n a ann e r c

us s t i ca si t i s t b d i t h j y t t h t t h y
e c e r a n c arn o v e o re e n e o n s, a e c an n e er

b i g t h m d w g i T h i h i g ws d w t t h i w s t s d
r n e o n a a n . e r a r ro o n o e r a , an

th i i ls e rl g t h i fi g s Ni ght d d y wi t
na are as ond as e r n er . an a , n e r an

s um m t h y g lw ys s t k k d i t h s m p s t u
er , e o xp s d
a a ar na e n e a e o re, e o e

t th h t o d i d t h s t i gi g f t h fl i s f m whi h t h y
e ea an ra n an e n n o e e , ro c e

h v t th a f t h i h ds t
e no i d t h m s lv s
e u se o I th i e r an o r e e e . n o er n ece s s

ti s th y h v e th f q i i th i
e mpa y lw ys dy t ssist
e o er a u rs n e r co an , a a re a o a

th m e .

N 9 i t h p s t u f t h p i t t wh v y d y f s v l h u s
o . s e o re o an o er en en , o e er a or e era o r

s t ds u p an f t h ldi g h fi g di sh i hi h d i t whi h h
o n on e oo , o n a c a n -
n s an , n o c e

p usi s o r ff i g t hi g d fi i n g hi
n cen e , as an y s ll t h whi l o er n o s o , x s e e a e e

up t h on e sun .

N 10 d 11
os . t h fig u s f t w
an th p i t t s si t t i g wi t h t h i
are e re o o o er en en n e r

h ds i s d b v t h i h ds i t h i
an ra e a o e e r ea n e a r .

N 12 i t h p s t u wh
o . s i t h p i t t s sl p wi t h u t v
e o re st i g t h i
ere n e en en ee , o e e r re n e r

ms whi h iar t i ly f th g t st t
c m t s t h b dy f m
s cer a n on e o e re a e or en e o o an

s u ff c an er .

N 13 i t h p s t u
o . f s p i t t wh s m s t h ugh w k ss h a g
e o re o a en en o e ar , ro ea ne , n

fl ggi g d w u p hi sh uld s b i g d i d u p f w t f u i sh
a n o n on s o er ,
e n r e or an o no r

m ent .

Th ere are an in fi ni te n u m be r of o t he pe ni te n t s s om who i n a p o st ur e

r , e ,

qui t y t th
e c on t r ar o e m ot i a d f am e o f n at ur
on n k ep th ir y s always e, e e r e e

t urn e d t w d th o ar e su n ; o t he s wh o fix t h e i r e ye s pe pe t u ally u p n t he
r r o

g ro u d v n mu h
, ne sp k i g w d l k i g y p s i th
er s o c as ea n on e or or oo n an e r on n e

f ac e A d i d d th
. n i su h i fi i t v i t y f t h m t h t w u ld
n ee e re s c an n n e ar e o e a o

ren d t h fu t h d i s u s f t h m m t d i u s
er e r er co r e o e or e e o .

T u i t i t h t I h v hi d t h s p t s whi h m d s t y wi ll t s u ff t
r e s a a e o e ar c o e no er o

be e xp s d t vi w B t t h y b t h i i t y d u t y g ll
o e o e k d. u e o n c an co n r o a as n a e as

t h e y m t f t h i m t h s w m bs
ca e ou o e r o er
’
o .

Alt h ou gh
w ort hy ge m m e rch an t e vide n tly did n ot t he
”
u n d e r st an d t h e m ot iv e s or ide as o f t h e s e p e n it e n t s ,

as h e styl e s th e m his te stim on y is c on clu sive as t o t he fa c t ,

th at sadhu i sm was fl ou ri shin g i n his d ay An d s t ran ge .

95
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S A N D , , S A I N TS O F I ND I A
to l t t he con tagi on of sadhu i sm in di ge n ou s t o t he
re a e , ,

s oil s e e m s t o h ave s o affe cte d t he Mu ham m adan rul e rs

,

of I n di a t h at b e side s t h e p e rip ate tic Hin du asce tics

, , ,

T ave rn ie r m e t b an ds o f alm ost n ake d Mu sli m de rvish e s

wan derin g o v e r t he c ou n t ry s om e tim e s as b e c am e m e m b e rs
, ,

o f t h e d o mi n an t r a c e e xc e e di n gly h au gh t y an d o v e rb e ar in g
,

i n t h e ir de m e an ou r On e s u ch b an d c on sisti n g o f abou t
.
,

f or ty s e ve n p ers on s all we ll arm e d in clu di n g a few wh o

-
, ,

h ad h e ld v e ry high posit i on s i n t he I m p e ri al C our t is sp e ci all y ,

m e n t i on e d by o u r t r ave ll e r Alt h ou gh pro ce e din g o n fo o t

.
,

t his b an d o f M u s li m asc e tics h ad m an y fi n e h ors e s le d

b e fore t h e m the ir s addle s an d b ridle s ad orn e d wit h g old
,

an d silver orn am e n t s an d th e y h ad als o t e n o r twe lve

,

o x en t o c arry th e ir sick Arrivin g at t he sp ot wh e re T ave rn ier

.

h ad pitch e d his c am p i n t h e m ost c on v e n i e n t p o siti on h e

c oul d fin d t h e arm e d an d w ealthy de rvish e s de s i re d hi m
,

t o v ac a te it as t h e y n ee de d t h e pl a c e t h e m s e lve s an d t he
, ,

Fr en ch m an th ou ght it p ru de n t t o yi eld t o t h ei r re qu e st
with ou t de m u r .

N o twithst an din g th e ir p om p an d s e lf ass er ti on th e s e -

,

wan de ri n g a sc e t ics live d u p on alm s ob t ai n e d by b eggin g ,

for w e re th e y n ot faqu i rs H owe ve r i n all p r ob abili t y it ,

was fe ar which m ad e t he p e ople c o m ply as did T av e rn i er ,

him s e lf wit h th e ir de m an ds
,
.

This pictur e o f tru c ul e n t M u slim faqu i rs affordi n g ,

a s i t d oe s a striki n g c on t r as t to t h at of t h e m ild H i n d u

a sc e t ics kn o wn fr om t h e e arli e s t ti m e s t o ou r o wn d ay ,

h as as an i n d e x o f t h e i n w ardn e ss o f I sl am an o bvi ou s
, ,

val u e .

Th e physici an Fran cois B erni e r wh o d u ri n g t he reig n ,

o f t h e M o gul E m p eror Au ran gz e b trave ll e d e xt ens ively

i n I n di a an d m e t M T av e rni er t h ere d o e s n o t f ail t o
, .
,

m en ti on t h e v as t n u m b e r an d e n dl e ss v ari e t y o f fa qu i rs
h e e n c ou n t e re d O f t h e s e t h e j ogi s s ee m t o h a ve m ade
.

m o s t i m p re ssi on u p on hi m n ot by t h e i r r el i gi ou s o r p hi l o
,

S op hi c al p ro fe ssi on s b u t by t he i r r e p ul sive a pp e aran c e

,
.

Fro m his n arrat ive i t is e vide n t t h at t he p ract ic e o f

h oldi n g t he arm s p erp e tu ally ab o ve t he h e ad was a
c om m n o
o n e —
wi t h t he s adhu s i n hi s d ay m u ch m ore ,

com m o I sho ul d say th an it is at t e p re s e ti

n , h n t
,
m e — but ,

96
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S O F I ND I A
an d h avi n g at t ai n e d t he ran k of s eni or m er ch an t i n
t h e e m pl o ym e n t o f t h at f am o u s c orp or atio n r e ti re d a t ,

t he e arly age o f t hi rt y thr e e y e ar s with a dis or dere d -

live r an d an am pl e fo rtun e di d n ot f ail t o o bs erv e , ,

d u ri n g hi s e xil e i n t he E ast t he s adhu s an d fa qu i rs o f ,

hi s d ay .

From hi s val u abl e Ori ent al M em oi rs p u blish e d i n 18 13 , ,

we l e arn th at i n t he l at t e r p or t i on o f t he e igh t e e n t h
c ent ur y t he wan d eri n g s adhu s we re i n gre at f or c e thr o ugh
”
o u t t h e w e st e rn c o u n t ry The s e gym n o s ophis t s he s ays
.
, ,

o f t e n u ni t e i n l ar g e ar m e d b o di e s an d p e r f o rm pilg ri m

a g e s t o t h e s ac re d riv e rs an d c e l e b r at e d t e m pl e s b u t t h ey
ar e m o r e lik e an arm y m ar chi n g t h r ou gh a p ro vi n c e th an

an a ss em bly o f s ai n t s i n p ro c e ssi on t o a t em pl e an d o f t en ,

l ay t h e c o u n t ry t h rou gh whi ch t h ey p ass u n d e r con t ri b u

ti on (v ol i p . . .

Ou r au th or was als o aw are th at i n t h ei r pere rrat i on s

t he s e p e rip at e tics w e n t fro m t he c onfi n e s o f R u ssi a t o
!

C ap e C om orin an d from t he b ord ers o f Chi n a t o Mal ab arhi ll

”
o n t h e isl an d of B om b ay (i t h a t th e y h a d m an y
.

m arv els t o r e l at e o f t h e m e n an d pl ac e s t h e y h ad s e en ,

an d w ere e sp e ci ally l avish i n t h e ir p rais e o f b e au t ifu l

K ash m i r (ii . Mr F o rb e s f ou n d t h e s e t ravell e d
. .

a sc e t ics m or e li b eral m i n d e d t h an t he stay at ho m e

- - -

H i n d u s an d c on f e ss e s t h at he
,
sp en t m an y a pl e as an t
an d i m p r o vi n g h o u r wi t h r e ligi o u s m e n dic an ts both Hi n d u s

an d M oh am m e d an s (ii .

On e o f t h e s e m e n a ve n e r abl e B rahm an i n fo rm e d
, ,

Mr F orb e s
. t h at he h ad liv e d u n d er di ffe r e n t gov e rn
m e n ts an d t rav e ll e d i n m an y c ou n t Ii e s b u t h ad n e ve r ,

wi t n e ss e d a g e n eral di ffu si o n o f h appi n e ss e qu al t o th at

o f t h e n at iv e s u n d er t h e m ild an d e q u i t abl e ad m i nis t ra

t i on o f Mr H a s t i n gs at t h at t i m e G o v e rn or G e n eral o f
.
,
-

B en g al .

I c an n o t adds Mr F orb e s forg e t t he w ords o f t his

,
.
,

re sp e c t abl e pilg ri m ; we w e re n e ar a b ani an t re e i n t he

d u rb ar c ou rt wh e n he t h u s c on cl u de d hi s di sc ou rs e : A s
t h e b u rr t re e o n e o f t h e n obl e s t p r o d u c t i on s i n n at u re
, ,

by e xt en di n g i t s b ran ch e s fo r t he c o m f ort an d re fre shm en t

o f all wh o s e e k i t s sh e lte r is e m bl em at ic al o f t he d ei t y
, ,

98
 S AD H U S D E S C R I B E D B Y E U R O P EAN VI S I TO R S
so d o t he virt u e s of t he go ve rn or re s em bl e t he b u rr tree ;
h e e xt en ds hi s p ro vid en c e t o t he re m o te st di strict s an d ,

stre tch e s o u t his arm s far an d wide t o afi ord pro t e cti on

, ,

a n d h appin e ss to hi s p eo pl e S u ch s ahi b i s Mr H asti n gs

.
, , .

( v o l
. ii .

A cc ordi n g t o ou r au thor it wo ul d s ee m th at t he ro vi n g
,

p rop en si t i e s of t he sadhu s howe ver b en efici al to th em s elve s

,

i n t ell e c t u ally were n ot c on du cive t o right livin g for m an y

, ,

o f th e m le d a by n o m e an s ch a st e life b e i n g v e ri t abl e ,

t erro rs t o h u sb an ds wh ere ve r th e y we n t (ii an d .

,

t h o u gh t h e y h ad p r ofe ss e dly r en ou n c e d t he w o rld an d i t s

van i t i e s t he wan derin g reli gi o u s m en dic an t s o ft en c on triv e d
, ,

t o t he gr eat ann oyan c e o f t h e o ffi ci als Mr F orb e s in cl u d e d , .

,

t o c arr y o n fo r t h e ir o wn p r ofit n o li t t l e illic it tr adi n g i n

, ,

valu abl e o bj e cts (ii 214 .

,

We als o l earn fro m Mr Forb e s t h at m an y yogees and .

si mi l ar p ro fe ss or s su bj e cte d the m s elv e s t o cru e l p en an c e s

”
an d m ort i fi cat i o n s S om e o f t h e m
. he t e lls u s ent er , ,

i n t o a sol em n v ow to c on tin u e for life i n on e un var i e d

p o stu re ; o t h ers u n d ert ak e t o c arr y a cu m b rou s l oad o r
drag a he avy ch ain ; so m e crawl on t h ei r h an ds an d kn ee s
for ye ar s aroun d an e x t en siv e e m pire ; an d o th e r s ro ll th eir
b odi e s on t h e e ar t h fr om t he sh ore s of t he I n du s t o t h e
b an ks o f t h e G an g e s an d i n th at h um ili at i n g p o s t ur e
,

c oll e ct m on e y t o e n abl e t h e m e i t h e r t o b uild a t e m p l e t o ,

di g a well or t o at on e for s o m e p art ic ul ar si n

, S om e .

swin g du rin g t he ir wh ole life i n t hi s t orrid clim e b e fore , ,

a sl o w fi re ; o t he r s s u sp en d t he m s e lve s wi t h t heir h e ads ,

d o wn w ards for a cert ai n ti m e o ve r t he fierc e st fl am e s

,

( v o.l i p
. .

I n his t rav e ls Mr F orb e s c am e a c r oss t he s adhu who

.

c arrie s hi s u s ele ss arm s ab ov e his h e ad an d re du c e d t o , ,

u tt e r h e lpl e ss n e ss by hi s v o l u n t ary a sc e t icis m is fe d by ,

piou s H i n du w o m en e v e n of g o o d p o sit i on H e als o s aw .

t h e m e n wh o swi n g r ou n d a l o ft y p ol e s u sp e n d e d fr om a
c ross b e am by m e an s o f iron h ooks fixe d i n t he m u scle s
-

o f t h e b a ck .

A far r arer an d m ore cu ri ou s form of au sterity is thus

de scrib e d : I saw an ot he r o f t h e s e de v o t e e s wh o was on e ,

o f t h e ph allic w orshipp e rs o f S c e v a an d wh o no t c on t e n t , ,

99
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
wi t h w earin g or ad orn in g t he sym b ol o f th at d e ity had ,

m ad e a v ow t o fix e v e ry y e ar a l arg e i ron r in g i n t o t h e m o st
t en de r p ar t o f his b o dy an d th e re t o t o s u sp e n d a h eavy ,

ch ain m an y y ar ds l o n g t o dr ag o n t he grou n d I s aw
, , .

t his e xtr ao r di n ary s ai n t i n t h e s e v e n th ye ar o f his p en an c e ,

wh e n he h ad j u s t pu t i n t he s e v e n t h rin g ; t he w o u n d was
th en so re c en t an d s o p ain fu l t h at he was o blig e d t o c arry
t h e ch ai n u p on his sh ou ld e r u n til t h e o rific e b e c am e m ore ,

c all ou s (v ol i p . . .

Mr F orb e s i n te l li gen t obs erv e r an d i n qu i rer th at h e

.
,

was asc e rt ain e d t h at t h e Hi n du de v o t ee s w e re re cru ite d

,

fr o m all cl ass e s o f t he c om m u n ity e xc e pt t he c aste o f

”
Ch an dal a H e did n ot f ail t o r e ali s e th at a high st an d ar d
.

o f ab n e g at io n an d s e lf re p r e ssi o n was t h e ore t ic ally d e m an d e d

-

o f t h e p ro f e ss e d a sc e t ics an d he was p r e p are d t o ad m it ,

t h at th o u gh t h e m aj o ri t y o f t he s adhu s f e ll far sh ort o f t he

,

r e qu ire m e n t s o f t h e ru l e s o f th e ir s e cts th e re w e re at le as t ,

s om e e n thu siasts who i n s olitu de an d m e ditat i on p ass e d

blam e le ss liv e s an d w ere c re dite d with t he p oss e ssi on of
m ir a cu l ou s p o w e r s .

A b ou t a hu n dr e d ye ars ago t he w ell kn own Christi an ,

-

m issi on ary War d vi sitin g S au g or I sl an d a t t he h e ad o f

,

t h e B ay o f B en g al c am e a cro ss c e r t ai n Hin du a sc e t ics i n

,

t h e e xte n sive dre ary an d tig e r h au n te d j u n gle whi ch

, ,
-

c ove re d t h at pl ac e Two o f th e s e w e re B ai ragi s from t he

.

U pp e r P r o vin c e s wh o liv e d i n t h e wilde rn e ss i n s e p arate

,

l og h u ts Wh en War d s aw t h e m the ir cu st om ary fi re was

.

b u rn in g on a s an dy ridge an d b e f ore i t s e ate d on a d e e r , ,

S ki n was on e o f t h e asc e tics all b u t qu i t e n ak e d p re p ari n g

, , ,

s om e gan j ah which he p re s e n t ly s m ok e d i n his chi llu m

, .

Th e Chr isti an m i ssi on ary e n te r e d i n t o c on v e rs at i on wi t h

t h e h e rm it an d l e arn e d from hi m t h at he h ad ad opt e d a
,

life o f abs t racti on an d is ol at i on from t h e w orld n e i t h e r t o

e xp i at e an y s i n n or t o s e c u re an y r e w ar d He a ve rr e d .

t h at h e h ad n o d e si re s an d n o h op e s b u t t h at b e i n g r e ,

m o v e d fr o m t h e agit ati on s o f t h e wo r ldly life h e was fu ll

o f tran q u i l j oy .

N e ar a n e ighb ou ri n g te m pl e Mr War d di sc ov er e d t wo .

o t h e r al m o st n ak e d asc e t i cs c o v e r e d with ash e s e ach o n e ,

h avin g hi s l on g m atte d h air tie d i n a k n o t u p on t he t op

I OO
 S AD H U S D E S C R I B E D B Y E U R O P E AN VI S I TO R S
of his h e ad On e o f t he s e sadhu s qu ite a you n g m an was
.
, ,

h oldi n g u p on e o f hi s arm s ; as in dee d h e h ad b e e n d oin g , ,

”
for n o l e ss t h an t h re e y e ars The n ails o f hi s h an d
.
,

s ays Ward ,
we re grown l on g like t h e c l aws o f a bird o f
p re y. I n qu iry e lic i t e d from t h e d ev ot ee t h e state m e n t
t h at h e was in di ffe r e n t t o fu tu re re w ar ds an d t h at t h e ,

wh o le o f his t im e was sp en t i n a s u cc essi on o f r e li gi ou s

c e re m on ie s an d i n re p e ti t i on o f t h e n am e o f God He h ad .

t o b at h e at l e as t on c e a d ay an d a s i n gl e m e al at m i dd ay
,

was all t h at h e m igh t p art ak e o f Th e c on spicu ou s fre sh.

f oot p rin t s o f a ti g e r b e c o mi n g t he s u bj e ct o f re m ark t h e ,

s a dhu m e n ti o n e d wi t h ou t di s l a I n t h sligh t e st e m o ti on
, p y g e ,

t h at wi t hi n t h e p r e c e di n g t hr e e m on t hs six p e r s on s h ad b e en
c arr ie d o ff by t ige rs b e fore his e ye s as it w ere a ddin g wit h
, , ,

app are n t i n di ffe re n c e t h at he wo u ld hi m s e lf p r ob ably s u ffe r

,

t h e s am e f a t e .

Th e o t h er asc e tic by t h e l on e ly te m ple i n t h e j u n gle ,

wh o i t app e ars h e ld li t t le if any c om m un i c ati on wi t h hi s

n e ighb o u rs , e vin c e d no de sire for in te r c ou rs e wi t h t h e
i n qu is i t ive stran g e rs b u t re m ain e d abs orb e d i n hi s o wn
,

de v ot i on s A s oli t ary o f t his t yp e i s de p i cte d i n Fig 7

. . .

R e fe r ri n g t o t h e physic al s t ate o f t h e s e asc e t ics t he Christi an ,

m issi on ary re m arke d I t app e ar s a lm ost i m p o ssible fo r

,

hu m an b e in gs t o m an ife s t a g re ate r dis re g ar d o f t he b ody

t h an was sh o w n by t h e s e m e n ; an d we m ay a dd th at ,

wh e ther in dic ative o f wisdo m or fo lly t he ir p ain f u l au ste ritie s ,

i n a re m o te fe v e r an d t ig e r h au n t e d swam py j u n gl e we re
- - -

pl ain ly ab ove any s u spici on o f im p o s t u re .

Th at re m arkably we ll in form e d an d agre e able writer

-

a b ou t t h e I n di a o f t he e arly d e c ad e s o f t h e l ast c e n tu r
y ,

Col on e l S l e e m an wh o i n his ram bles m e t a gre at m an y sadhu s

,

o f v ari o u s s e cts form e d a c orre ct app re ci at i on o f t he ir

,

p osit io n i n t he Hi n du s o ci al sys t e m a n d was fair m in de d ,

-

e n o u gh t o r e c og n is e t h e ir g o o d qu ali t i e s a s w e ll as t h e s e rvi c e

t h e y c o u ld at t h at t i m e re n de r t o t he B riti sh Gov e rn m e n t
by c arryin g a g oo d rep ort o f i t all ov er t he cou n try i n th ei r
e x t e n siv e w an d e ri n gs th r o u gh t he re m ot e s t di stricts o f t he

i n de p e n de n t n ative S tate s A t t he s am e tim e C o lon e l

.
,

S le e m an did n ot o ve rl oo k t he cu ri ou s fact th at t h e ve ry
e xc e lle n c e o f t he B ritish o r g an is ati o n u n de r which t he ,

10 1
TH E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
’
s oldi e rs work was b e in g e ffici e n tly c arrie d ou t by on e te n th -

o f t h e n u m b e r o f m e n f or m e rly e m pl oy e d by t he r iv al n at iv e

r u l e r s was t h e c au s e o f sw e llin g v e ry c o n sid e rably t he r an ks

,

o f t he re ligi ou s m e n di c an t s .

Colon e l S le e m an re c ords fro m p ers on al k n owle dge s om e

v ery in t ere sti n g in cide n ts c onn e cte d with faqu i rs an d s adhu s ,

which h owe ve r n e e d n ot b e re p rodu ce d h e re ; b u t on e

, ,
1

p e cu li ar fe atu re o f s adhu i sm o f which he affords u s a gli m ps e

is t o o i n stru c t ive to b e o ve rl o ok e d .

The M ah ade o s an ds t on e hills s ays C olo n e l S le em an , ,

which i n t he S at hpore ran ge o ve rl oo k t he Ne rb u dda t o

t h e s ou t h ris e t o b e twee n f ou r an d fi v e th o u s an d fe e t above
,

t he le ve l o f t h e s e a ; an d i n on e o f t h e high e st p ar ts a fai r
was f orm e rly an d is p e rh aps s t ill h e ld for t h e e n j oy m e n t
, ,

o f t h o s e wh o ass e m bl e t o wit n e ss t he s e lf d e voti on o f a -

fe w y ou n g m e n wh o o ffe r th e m s e lve s a s a s acri fic e t o

,

fu lfil t he v ows of the ir m o t hers ! Wh en a w o m an is wit h

o u t chil dr e n sh e m ak e s v o tiv e o ffe ri n gs t o all t h e g o ds wh o

c an , sh e thi n ks assist he r an d p r om i s e s o f still g re ate r i n

, ,

c as e the y sh ou ld g ran t wh at S h e w an ts S m all e r p r om is e s .

b ein g f ou n d o f n o av ail she at l ast p r om is e s her fi r st born ,

-
,

if a m ale t o t he go d o f de stru c t i on M ah ade o If she ge ts

, , .

a s on sh e c on c e als fr o m h i m he r v ows till he h as att ai n e d

,

t he age o f p u b e rty ; sh e th e n c om m u n ic ate s it t o hi m an d ,

e n j oi n s hi m t o f u lfil it H e b e li e v e s it t o b e his p ar am ou n t
.

’
d u ty t o ob e y his m ot h e r s c all an d from t h at m om e n t he ,

c on sid e r s hi m s e lf as d e v o te d t o t he
g od W i t h ou t b re athi n g .

t o an y livi n g so u l a syll abl e o f wh at she h as t o ld hi m he ,

p u t s on t he h abit of a pilgri m or re li gi ou s m e n dic an t visits ,

all t h e c e l e b ra t e d t e m pl e s d e dic a te d t o t his o d i n di ffe re n t

g
p art s of I n dia an d at t h e ann u al fair on t he M ah ade o hills
,

t h r ows hi m s e lf fr om a p e rp e n dic u lar h e ight o f f ou r or fi v e

hu n dr e d fe e t an d is d ashe d t o pie ce s u p on t he r ocks b e l ow
,

I f t he y ou t h d oes n ot fe e l him s e lf qu ite p re p are d for t he

s ac rifice on t h e fi rst visit he sp en ds an o th er y e ar i n pil ,
’
g ri m age an d , re t u r n s to f u lfil his m o t h e r s v o w a t t h e

n e x t f ai r S o m e h av e I b e li e v e b e e n kn own t o p os t p on e
.
, ,

t he s acrific e t o a third f air ; b u t t h e i n t erv al is a lw ays

1
The re ad e m ay c o n su l t Co l on e l S lee m an s Rambl es a nd R ecoflect i ons
r
’
,

v ol . i . c h p xi ii
a . .
, v ol . ii . c h p xxvi
a .
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D
, , S A I N TS OF I N D I A
The f ore g oin g b ri e f r e feren c e s t o t he re c o rd e d e xp e ri e n c e s
an d i m p re ssi on s o f t r av ell e r s an d o t h er s sh o w t h at the
s a dhu who is at t he p re s e n t t i m e t o o p r om i n e n t a f eat u r e
,

i n t h e I n di an w orld t o e sc ap e at t e n t i on has als o o cc u pi e d

,

an h on ou r e d pl ac e i n hi s n ativ e l an d t hr ou gh all t h e m an y

an d o f t e n p ai n f u l vicissi t u d e s o f fo rt un e whi ch i t h as e x

e ri e n c e d
p .

Ye t t he sadhu of t o d ay is n o t n e c e ss arily t he s adhu o f

-

fo rm e r ti m e s I t is
. t ru e t h at n ak e dn e ss , au s t e ri t i e s , an d
ro vi n g h abi t s h av e b ee n p e rsist e n t o u t w ar d ch aract e ris t ics

of t he I n di an s adhu t h rou gh at l e ast fi v e an d twen t y - -

c en t u ri e s ; b u t i t h as t o b e n ot e d t h at th e s e p e cul i ari t i e s
h ave by r e as on of th ei r v ery obvi o u sn e ss h e lp e d t o c on c e al
, ,

from t he c as u al o bs e rver t he fact whi ch wi ll b e e s t ablish e d

,

i n t h e n e xt ch apte r t h at t he r eli gi ou s id e a s o f which s adhu i sm

,

is t he o u t war d e xp re ssi on h ave i n t he p rogre ss of ti m e b ee n

, ,

u n d ergoi n g m an y i m p ort an t ch an g e s .

1 04
 C H A P TE R VII

A V I EW OF TH E A S ES OF M O D ERN
S U CCES S I V E PH

H I ND U I S M AND OF TH E O RI GI N OF TH E M O R E
I M P O R TAN T H I ND U S E CT S I N RE L AT I O N T O TH E ,

D E V E L O P M ENT OF S ADH U I S M I N I NDI A

N I —S
S E CTI O om e f u d m t l D t i s f Hi d u T h
n a en a oc r n e o n e ol o gy—My
a

t h i s m —M t m psy h si s— K m
.

P an e e e c o ar a
.

is n e c e ss ary for a fu ll co m
p r eh en si on o f sadhu i sm
t h at t he s t u den t sh o u ld
app r oac h t he s u bj e ct wi t h
s om e kn o wl e dge of t h e
f u n d am e n t a l d o c t r i n e s
e v olv e d i n I n di a by t he
e arly B rah m ani c al t he o
l ogi an s ; an d o f s u ch d oc
t ri n e s we ar e h appily n ot
l e f t i n ig n oran c e .

I n p re s en c e o f t he m ys
t e ri ou s w orki ngs o f t he
ph e n o m enal w orld an d t he i n c om p re h e n sibl e t rage di e s o f life
ar oun d th e m t he b e wild ere d H i n du thi n k e r s b e i n g h u m an
, ,

an d i n t ell e c t u al were driven p e rforc e t o co n c eiv e s o m e

,

pl au sible e xpl an at i on of t he m ight y riddl e o f e xis t en c e

o f b e i n g s u fferi n g d e c ay an d di ss o l u t i on — which c o n fr o n t e d
, , ,

t h e m i n i t s app alli n g an d m aj e s t ic sil e n c e To s olve t hei r .

p rof o un d di fli c ul t i e s for t hem s elve s th e y n aturally f ell b ack ,

u p o n th e i r i m agi n atio n s an d th u s far did n o t d i ffe r m u ch

, , , ,

e xc e pt i n t he n at u re o f th e ir f an ci e s fro m th ei r b ret h re n ,

105
 YS T I CS , A S CE T I C S , AN D S AI N T S O F I NDIA
of ot B u t it has t o b e n o t e d t h at i n th ei r nu
1
h er c ree ds .

b orm de d c on fid en c e i n t h e i r own dr eam w o rld t he Hi n du -

s ag e s p ron oun ce d t he sen ses t o b e t h e m isl e adi n g c au s e of

’
m an s ign o r an c e an d arriv e d at t h e c on cl u si on th at t h e
,

w orld as re v e al e d by t he s e n s e s was all p ur e d e c e ptio n

, , ,

ill u si on (Mya ) an d t h at c on s e qu e n tly t he rea l world true

, ,

k n owledge c ou ld o n ly b e re ach e d by n e gl e c t i n g s u pp re ssi n g

, , ,

an d as it w ere g e t t i n g b e hi n d t h e s en s e s
, ,
To t his v erdic t .

o f Hi n d u t h e ol o gic al p hi l o s ophy m ay b e t r ac e d t he pr e
p on d eran c e of i n t ro sp e ct ive c on t em pl ati on which we fi n d ,
.

f avou re d by t he v ari ou s sch e m e s o f reli gi o u s lif e ado p t e d by

H i n d u s e c t ari e s S u b t l e phil o s ophic al sp e cul at i on s ab o u t
.

t he origi n an d d e sti n y o f t h e wo rld ab o u t spi ri t an d m a t t er , ,

c ou ld h ardl y c oe xis t with t he j oyou s physi ol atry o f th eir

e arli e r c u l t an d thi s c o n s e qu e n t ly b e c am e g rad u ally c on
,

v e rt e d i n t o an abstract n eb ul o u s p an t h eis m which f asci n at e d ,

t h e Hi n d u m i n d an d h as col o ur e d all i t s s u bs e qu e n t id e as
,

—s o m u ch so t h a t e ve n t he v er y re c en t an d d e lic at e
,

sci en tific re s e arch e s on wh at he c alls t he r e sp ons e o f

”
m at t e r c arri e d ou t by a cl e ve r an d we ll k n own B en gali
,
-

Pro f e ss or o f S ci e n c e Dr J C B o s e h ave v e ry app rop ri at e ly

, . . .
,

le d hi m t o s av

I t waswh e n I c am e u p on t he m u t e wi t n e ss o f t h e s e
s elf m ade re c ords an d p er c eive d i n t h e m o n e ph as e o f a
-
.

p e rv adi n g u ni t y t h at b ear s wi thi n it all t hi n gs ; t he m ot e

t h at qu iv e r s i n rippl e s of ligh t t he t ee m i n g lif e u p on ou r ,

e ar t h an d t h e r adi an t s u n s t h at shi n e ab o v e u s
,
— i t was ,

t h en th at I u n d e r st oo d for t he fi r st ti m e a l it t l e o f th at
m e ss ag e p ro cl aim e d by m y an c e s t or s on t he b an ks o f t he
G an ge s thi rty c e n tu ri e s ago : Th e y wh o se e b u t on e
i n all t he ch an gi n g m an i f old ne ss o f this u niv e rs e u n t o ,

t h em b e lo n gs E t ern al T ru th u n t o n on e e ls e u n t o n o ne , ,

e ls e

leaf?T hi s p an th eis m re cogn isi n g on ly o n e i n d efi ni t e s u bstan c e

,

o r B e i n g f ro m which e v e ryt hi n g c am e an d i n t o which e v e ry

1
ss g t t h i gi
Gue i n d o st i t ut i
a f t h m t i l uni v
e or i it n an c n on o e a er a e r se n s

w f y v i u s sp t s i p ss by m s fi d t o t h t h
o n d e r ull ar o a ec s a r oc e no e an c on ne e eo

l ogi an s an dph i l s ph s b t m y b t d wi t h i m p t t di ff e s
o o er , u a e r ac e ,
or an e r n ce

no d u b t i t h h s t f t h i s d hyp t h s s m s t f t h m l g s i
o , n e o o e or e an o e e , o o e on n ce

di s di t d whi h s i
cre e , h p s t d t t h w ld
c c e n ce as re e n e o e or .

1 06
TH E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S A N D
, , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
s ou l m ay b e e ve n t u ally free d from t he n e c e ssit y o f b e in g,

r e in c arn ate d an d m a i n t he e n d b e r eu ni t e d t o t he I n fi n it e
, y
S pir it fr om which it sp r an g As h owe ve r t h at g oal
.
, ,

is ve ry r e m ote t he Hi n du n o t u n com m on ly li m i t s his

,

d e sire s an d his e ffor ts t o t he attain m e n t o f a good

tim e n ow an d i n his n ex t app e aran c e u p o n this e art hly
,

stag e .

1 08
 C H A P TE R VII — c on ti n u e d

S E CT I O N I I -
M d H i dui s m —P i i p l Di i si s—Th S i i t R f m
o e rn n r nc a v on e v e e or e r,

A h y —H i C u s d g i s t B u ddhi s m —S k t i W shi p
.

S an k ar a c ar a s r a e a a n a or

Ma hm ud o of Gu z ni
’
s su cce ssf l I v si
st i m ul t i g
u n a on of I n di a —I sl am a a n

F t i t h O i gi
ac o r n ti fe w d iv l Siv
r na d Vi sh u S t s
on o ne an r a a an n ec

Th P eu s R m
r an a u j C m p-
i g gai s t S i v
an i s m — B s v
’
a s d hi a a n a a n a a a a an s

D t i s—K i sh W shi p p h d by M dh h y —H i T h
oc r n e r na or r e ac e a av a c ar afi s eo

l gi l Vi ws—R m
o ca e dp hs tB a s t h W shi p f R m
an an re ac e a e n ar e e or o a a

an d S i t —T d a y t w ds A t h p m phi sm i t h l t S t s
en en c o ar n ro o or n e a er ec .

p re s e n t t im e Hi n du i s m pr o p e r
t he
by whi ch I m e an t he p r acti c al r e li gi on
o f t h e Hi n du p e o pl e n o t t h e sp e cu l a ,

t iv e Opin i on s o f H in du phil o s oph e r s

is r e p re s e n te d by a b e wilderin g varie t y
o f s e ct s o f which t h e m o r e i m ,

p ort an t on e s at le as t m ay b e
classifi e d wit h t ole r able a ccu racy
u n der t he fol low in g m ain
gr ou ps
1 S aiv as w orshipp e rs o f t he .
,

o d S iv a
g .

2 S ak t as w orshipp e rs o f t he fem a le en ergy an d e spe c i

.
,

ally o f t h e g o dd e ss e s D e vi D u rg a an d K ali all c on s ort s , , ,

o f S iv a .

3 Vaish n av as w o rshipp e r s o f t he go d Vish n u

.
, .

( )
a I n his i n c a r n ati o n a s R a m a C h an dr a with his
wife S it a .

b
( ) A s K r ish n a wi t h hi s wiv e s L aksh m i an d R u k m an i

an d hi s f av ou rit e m ist re ss R adh a 1

.

1
I t was a p uli ec y f t h E gyp t i s t h t li k t h p s t H i d s
ar i t o e an , a , e e re e n n u ,

th yw
e e r e di i vd d e as it w i t s ts ere h f whi h d pt d s m
n o ec ,
e ac o c a o e o e on e

d ity
e ou t of t h e P an th f th
e on x lu si v bj t f w shi p p yi g
or e e c e o ec o or , a n no

1 09
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I ND I A
T owards t he clos e of t he e ighth or t he b egin n i n g o f t he
n in th c e n tu ry A D S iv a worship att ain e d a p r om in e n t p o siti on
. .

an d c on sid erabl e s u cc e ss m o s t ly thr o u gh t h e e x erti on s o f an ,

u n m arr i e d B r ah m an n am e d S an k ar a A ch ary a wh o c arr ie d ,

o n a vig or ou s c ru s ad e ag ai n st B u d dhis m I t w ou ld s e e m .

t h at h e c ou n te n an c e d every f or m o f Hin d u is m b u t what , ,

’
e v e r S an k ar a s own faith m ay h av e b e e n his f oll owe rs are ,
” 1
p ractic ally S i v i t e s .

O f t h e re ligi ou s p e cu li ariti e s o f t his t ran si t i on p e riod

we h av e f ortu n ate ly m an y i n t e re stin g p ar tic u l ars i n a
w ork e n t itle d S an k ara Vi j aya by on e An an da Giri a , ,

r e p u t e d discipl e o f S an k ar a hi m s e lf The b r oad di visi on s .

o f S aiv as S akt as an d Vaishn av as c an all b e re c og nis e d

, ,

as e xisti n g at th at ti m e b u t t he s e cts d e sc r ib e d b y A n an d a ,

Giri c an h ar dly if at all b e ide n t i fi e d with th os e o f t he

, ,

p re s e n t d ay ; an d it is n o te w ort hy t h at i n n o p or ti on
o f t h e S an k ara Vi j a ya is an y allu si on m ad e t o t h e s e p arate
wo rship o f Krish n a e ithe r i n his own p e rs on or t h at o f t he,

in fan t in e f orm s i n which he is n ow s o e m in e n t ly v e n e r

a te d i n m an y p ar ts o f I n di a n or ar e t h e n am e s o f R am a ,

an d S it a o f L ak s h m ana or H an u m an
,
o n ce
part i c u ,

lari se d a s e n j oyi n g an y p orti on o f distin ct an d sp e cific

” 2
a d or ati on .

S iv a re g ar d e d by his sp e ci al f oll ow e rs as t he S u p r e m e
,

B e in g c om m an ds the ir ad or ati on i n m an y di ffere n t an d

,

e v e n s ee m i n gly c on tra di c t ory ch ara ct e r s b u t h e is u s u ally

w orshipp e d u n de r t he im p ers on al sym bol o f t h e pha llu s or
li n gam an u n d ou b t e dly v e ry an ci e n t O ri e n tal c u l t t h o u gh
, ,

n ot c on fin e d e xcl u siv e ly t o t h e E ast The spir itu alis a ti on .

,

e x al t at i on an d e v e n d e i fi c at i on
,
o f n at u ral d e sir e o f t he , ,

s ex u al in sti n c t i n fa c t h as b ee n i n t he E ast fr o m t h e e arli e st

,

t i m e s an o bj e c t o f c e rt ain s e ct f ou n de rs i m p re ss e d n o , ,

d ou b t an d f ascin at e d by t he m ys t e ry o f g e n e rat i on
, An d .

s o i t h as co m e ab ou t t h at this m yst e ry which t he We s t ,

reg d t ll t h s t A s i m d H i dui sm Vi sh u d S i v h v
ar o a e re . n o e rn n n an a a e

en g ss d t h li gi
ro e f th u ty e rei E gyp t f t h fi s t Ch i s t i
on o e co n r , so n o e r r an

cen t u y A u bi s
r d C ph h d b
n m th
an s l bj t s f Egyp t i
nu a e co e e o e o ec o an

ve ne r ati —Ki g s Th G ti
on . n
’
d th i R m i pp 101 102 e no s cs a n e r e a n s, .
, .

Hi d C t
1
n d S t by D J M B h t t h j
u as es a n p 3 75 ec s , r . . . a ac ar e e , . .

2
S k t h f t h R li gi
e c S t
o f th H i d
e by P f ss H H Wi ls
e ou s ec s o e n us , ro e or . . on ,

pp 11 12
.
, .

I IO
T H E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
c on n e cti on with t he su bj e ct o f t he p re s en t w ork In .

this ch aracte r he app e ars qu ite n ak e d (di gam bara ) wi t h ,

o n ly on e fac e lik e an o rdin ary hu m an b e in g wit h ash ,

b e s m e are d b o dy an d m atte d h air (wh e n c e his n am e

Dhu rj at i ) s i tti n g i n p r o fou n d m e di t at i on u n d e r a b an i an
,

t ree an d o ft e n lik e t h e c on te m pl at iv e B u ddh a u n d e r a

, , ,
’
c an o py f orm e d by a s e rp e n t s h e ad Th e re he is s u pp os e d .

t o r e m ain p assi on l e ss m o ti o n l e ss i m m o v abl e as t h e t ru n k

, ,

o f a t re e p erh aps r o o te d t o t he s am e S p o t for m illi on s o f

,

” 1
y e ar s .

Wi t h S iva are al s o co m m on ly ass o ci at e d hi s c on s ort s

an d hi s b ul l N an di .

S iva as Pr o fe ss o r Wilso n poi n ts o u t is st at e d t o h ave

, ,

app e are d i n t h e b e gi n n i n g o f t h e K ali age as s weta for

t h e p u rp o s e o f b en efi t i n g t he B rah m an s H e re sid e d o n .

”
t he Hi m al ay a m o un t ai n s an d t au gh t t h e yoga N ow t h e .

word sweta m e an s whi t e an d all i m ag e s o f S iva as well , ,

a s pic t ori al r e p r e s e n t at i on s o r livi n g p re s e n t m en t s o f t h e

od are alw ays c ol o u re d whi t e

g ,
.

Th e l e g en d r e f e rre d t o will a cc oun t for t h e f ac t t h a t

S iva is e sp e ci ally t h e god o f t he B r ahm an s .

’
S an k ara A ch arya s c ru s ad e ag ai n s t B u ddhis m origi n at e d
i n S ou th ern I n di a b u t S an k ar a hi m s elf p reach e d hi s d o c t ri n e s
,

far an d wid e t rav e lli n g fr om M al ab ar wh e re h e was b o rn

, , ,

t o t h e v all e y o f K ash m i r i n t he H i m al ay as Wh e r e he di e d ,

a t t h e e arly age o f t hi r t y t wo H e has b e e n r ais e d by -

.

his foll ower s t o t he dign i t y o f an i n c arn at i on o f S iva Hi s .

s an c t i t y was i n s u ch r ep u t e t h at he was h e ld t o h av e
—
w ork e d s e ve r al m i ra cl e s am on gst o t h ers t ran sferri n g ,

hi s own s o ul for a t i m e i n t o t h e d e ad b o dy o f a Ki n g
Am ru t h at he mi ght b e com e t he h u sb an d o f t he ki n g s
,
’

wid ow for a b ri e f p eri od an d s o l e arn by e xp e ri en c e h ow

t o arg u e on am at ory s u bj e c t s with t h e wife o f a B rah m an
n am e d M an d ana wh o was t h e on ly p er s on h e h ad n e v er
,

c on qu ere d i n argu men t T hi s is d e scrib e d i n a p oe m .

c all e d Am aru S at ak a t o which a m y s t ic al i n t e rp re t at i on is

-
,
” 2
give n .

1
B rahm a n i s m and H i ndu i sm , by Pr o f sse or S i r Mon i e r Wi lli am s , p.8 3
( t hi r d e di t i on ) .

2
I bi d p . . 56 .

1 12
 S UCCE S S IVE P H A S E S O F M O DE R N H I N D U I S M
’
S an k ar a s li fe s e em s t o h ave b ee n t o d e stroy
ai m in
B u ddhi sm i n In di a an d t o r e vi ve an d e s t ablish an old
B rahm anic c u l t H is chi e f d o ct ri n e was t he e ss e n t i al u ni t y
.

o f t h e D ivi n e S pi ri t an d t h e h u m an s o ul H e h e ld i n d e e d .
, ,

t h at all n atu r e is b u t a m anif e st at i on o f t h e Uni ve r s al S oul ,

tak e s i t s o rigi n from t h at s oul an d is e ven tu ally abs orb e d

,

t h er e i n I n ord er t o i m p r e ss t his d o c t ri n e u p on hi s m i n d
.
,

t h e S i v i t e i s r e qu i re d by hi s re ligi on t o a ss e rt e very
n ow an d t h en t h a t h e is S iva 1 —
S i v oh am I am
S iva .

For t he a t t ai n m e n t o f fin al e m an cip at i on m u k ti , ,

S an k ara h e ld t h at r e alis e d k n owl e dg e o f t he on ene ss o f ,

the At m an or s elf wi th t he Abs ol u te or B r ahm an was

, , , ,

e ss e n t i al .

Th e n at u r e o f H i n d u vi e ws o n t hi s s u bj e ct m ay b e
som e wh at e lu cidat e d by t h e f oll owi n g di al o gu e from t he
Nadi r u nn i k at a b ook i n Per si an wri t t en i n t he m i ddl e o f
, , ‘

t he s e v en t een t h c e n t u ry e xpl an at ory o f t h e t en e t s o f t he

,

s e ct kn o wn as t h e B aba La li s
Are t he so u l lif e an d b o dy m er e ly sh ad ows
, ,
— The
so u l is o f t he s am e n at u re as God an d one of t he m an y ,

p rop ert i e s of u niver s al life — lik e t he se a an d a drop ,

o f w at e r ; wh en t h e l at t er j oi n s t he f orm er i t als o is ,

se a .

H ow d o t h e P ar am at m a (s u p rem e s o u l ) an d J ivat m a
livi g so l d i ff — Th y d di ff d pl s d
( n u ) e r e o n o t er a n e a u re an ,

p ain ascrib abl e t o t he l att er ari s e s from i t s i m p ris on

m en t i n t he b o dy t he w at e r o f t h e G an g e s i s t he s am e
’
whe t h er i t ru n i n t he rive r s b e d or b e shu t u p i n a
de can t er .

Wh at diffe ren ce sh oul d t hat o ccasi on —Gre at a drop

o f wi n e add e d t o t h e w at e r i n t h e d e c an t er wi ll i m p art i t s

fl av ou r t o t he wh ol e b u t i t wou ld b e l o s t i n t h e river The

, .

Param at m a t h ere fore is b e yo n d ac c id en t b u t t h e Ji v at m a

, , ,

is affli ct e d by s en s e an d p assi on Wat er c as t l o o s ely o n a .

fi re wi ll e xt in gui sh t he fi re pu t t h at wat e r o ver t h e fi re i n a

b oi l er an d t h e fi re will e v apori se t h e wat er S o t he b o dy
, .

b ein g t he c on fini n g c aul dron an d p assi o n t h e fi re t he s ou l

.
, ,

whi ch i s c om p are d t o t he wat er 18 disp ers e d ab ro ad ,

.

1
H i ndu Castes a n d S ects by J N B h at t ac harj ee M A D L p 3 7 1
, . .
, . .
, . .
, . .

II I I 3
T H E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF INDIA
The gre at s u p re m e s o ul is i n c ap abl e of t h e s e p ro p erti e s
on e ,

an d h appi ne ss is t h ere f o re o nl y o b t ai n e d i n r e u n i on wi t h i t ,

wh en t he disp ers e d an d i n dividualis e d po rtio n s c om bi n e

ag ai n with i t a s t he d ro ps o f w at e r wi t h t he p aren t st re am
,

h en c e al t h ou gh God n eeds n o t t he s e rvi c e o f His sl ave

, ,

t t h sl av e sh o u ld r e m e m b er t h a t h e is s e p arat e d f ro m
y e e

Go d by t he b o dy al on e an d m ay e xcl ai m p erp e t u ally Bl e ss e d , ,

b e t h e m om e n t wh en I sh all lif t t h e v eil f r o m o ff th at

f ac e The v eil of t h e f ac e of m y b el o v e d is t h e d u st o f m y
.

b o dy
Wh at are t he fe eli n gs o f t he p erfe ct f aqu i r § — The y r

h ave n ot b e en t h e y are n o t t o b e d e scrib e d ; as it is s aid

, , ,

a p er s on a sk e d m e Wh at are t h e s e n s at i o n s o f a l o v e r,
I
r e pli e d Wh e n you ar e a l o ve r you will k n o w
” 1
.
,

S an k ara fo u n d e d at l e as t fo u r i m port an t m on as t e ri e s 2
,

an d e s t ablish e d v ari o us o r d e r s o f w an d e ri n g f ri ar s to be ,

r e f e rre d t o l at er on b u t u n lik e B u ddh a h e di d n o t adm i t , ,

n u n s t o his o rd e r s .

S akti w orship t h at is t h e wo rship o f t he fem ale en e rgy

, ,

i n n at ur e h avi n g t h e yon i an d yan tra fo r its a cc e p t e d

,

sym b ols is n ot p erh aps as old i n I n di a as t he ph allic c ul t

,

o f S iv a b u t we kn o w i t was fl o u rishi n g t h ere i n t he eighth

an d ni n t h c e n t uri e s A D an d h as a v er y c o n sid e r abl e f oll o w
. .
,

i n g at t he p r e s en t t i m e The wri t t en au t h ori t i e s u p on .

which t hi s cu l t is b as e d are c ert ai n P u ran as— for e x am pl e ,

t he B r ah m a Vai v ar t h a S k an d a an d K alik a ; b u t t h e m o s t , ,

i m p ort an t S crip t ur e s o f t he S akt as are t he T an t ras whi ch ,

t h e y r e g ard as a fif t h Ve d a .

A s w orshi p of t he godd e ss e s D e vi D u rga an d K ali the , , ,

S ak t i c ul t p r e v ails s om e t i m e s c om bi n e d wi t h t h e gr o ss e st
,

i m m orali t i e s m o s t ly i n t h e e as t e rn p ort i on s o f I n di a
, ,

B eh ar B e n g al an d A ss am — wh e re e m o t io n alism an d
, , ,

m ysticis m ar e v e ry p ro mi n en t f eat u re s o f t h e n a t i on al
ch ar act er ; t h e i n s t an c e u n d e r c on sid e rat i on b ei n g a g ood
e x am pl e o f t he f ac t t h at wh ere t h e s e m e n t al q u ali t i e s are ,

f oun d i n e xc e ss t h e y u s u ally c o e xist wi t h a d e fici en cy o f

,

s elf c on t rol whi ch m ay l e ad t o s ex u al d e p ravi t y H o we ve r

-
.
,

1
Wi ls on , R el i gi ou s S ects o f the H i n du s , pp . 225, 226 .

2
At S ri n gi r i i n Mys ore , Bd a ri n a t hi n t he Hi m al a y s Dw
a , ark a in K at t i

a w ar , an d J a
ggan at h in O ri ssa .

1 14
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I N DI A
I n di a ,
t h ro wi n g d ark sh ad ow o f dis t ru st ove r old
a

ch e rish e d b eli e fs I t was in de e d j u s t one o f th os e critical

.

p e riods i n t he hi s t ory o f a n at i on wh e n u ni v e rs al s e ar ch
i n gs o f h e art s give ris e t o re vision s o f lon g e st ablish e d -

f ait hs an d t o t he fo rm u lat i on o f n e w re ligi ou s hOpe s an d

a spi r at i o n s I n t h e gl oom o f t h o s e tr ou bl o u s d ays t h e
.

Vish n u Pu r an as wit h t h e ir e xtrav ag an t l e g e n ds for t he

,

gl orific at i on of t h e ir ch os e n di vinit y s ee m t o h ave b e e n ,

c o m pile d s om e whe re ab ou t t he m iddle o f t he e le ve n th

,

ce n tu ry fro m o ld traditi on s c oe v al n o dou b t wi t h S iv ais m

, , , ,

an d B u dd hi s m .

D u ri n g t he hu n dre d ye ars which foll owe d t he c o m

i lat i on o f t h e s e P u ran as t h e M u h am m a d an p ow e r was
p
b e in g c o n s olidat e d i n t he Pu n j ab an d a fe e li n g o f u nre st at ,

t he i m m i n e n t p e r il which t h re ate n e d H i n du is m m u s t h ave

b e e n e xp e rie n ce d t hr ou gh o u t t he r e m ai n de r o f I n di a S u ch .

p o lit ic al c on di t i on s are always f av ou rable t o t he a dve n t o f

p roph e t s re fo rm e rs an d n e w re ligi ou s sys t em s I n d u e
, , .

t i m e t h e re f o re app e are d a r iv al t o S iv ais m i n t he fo r m o f a

, ,

Vish n u c u lt u s .

S iv ais m as alre ady stat e d ha d r e c e iv e d a g re at i m

, ,

e t us f ro m t he te achi n g an d p re achi n g o f S an k ara A ch ary a

p ,

’
b u t h ad n o d ou bt b e e n discre dite d i n m e n s m i n ds by
re c e n t e ve n ts .

The p r oph e t o f t he n e w Vaish n av a (Vish n u vi t e )

re ligi o n was R am an u j a a B r ahm an o f S ou th e rn I n di a wh o , ,

abo u t 1150 A D c om m e n c e d his c am p aign agai n st S ivais m

. .
,

te achi n g a m on oth e is m h ardly disti n gu ish abl e fr o m pan

t h e is m I n s t e ad o f t he m u ch ve n erat e d li ngam sy m b o l o f
.
,

M ah ade v he p re s en t e d t o t he Hin du w orld as o bj e cts o f

, ,

sp e ci al ad orat i on Vi sh n u K rish n a an d R am a ; als o th e ir

1
, , ,

re sp e ctiv e wi v e s L aksh m i R u k m i n i a n d S it a, C on trary to , , .

t h e vi e ws o f S an k ara he t au ght t h at t he h u m an s o u l was ,

d i s t in c t from t he S u p re m e S p i rit an d re tai n e d its id e n ti t y ,

an d s e p arat e c o n sci o u s n e ss e ve n wh e n abs orb e d i n t he

1
The god Vi n , accor i n t o t he P sh u d g uran as , h as a pp e ar e d o n t he e ar t h
in ni n e d ff
i e re n t i nc arn at i on , on e o f t e s h s b i gR e e n am a C h d
an r a, an d he i s
to a pp e ar on ce m or e as K lk i
a at t he end of p s t g
t he re e n a e of si n fo r
re c s ui g n t he l d an of t he Aysf r a r om t h eir o pp ss o s —Bh t t
re r .
”
a ac h ar e e s
j
’

H i nd u Cas tes a nd S ect s , p 4 15

. .

1 16
 S UCCE S S I V E P H A S E S OF M O D E R N H I ND U I S M
S u p re m e B e in g A s a m atter of fact he b eli e ve d i n thre e
.
,

distin ct p rin ciple s nam e ly ,

P ara b rah m a or I swara

’
.1 The S u p re m e S pirit ,
-
.

.2 Th e s e p ar at e spirits o f m e n Chit ’
, .

.3 Non spir it
-
A chit ’ 1
, .

An d it m ay b e adde d th at he re c ogn is e d t h e m e ri t o f g o o d
w orks for t he att ain m en t of fin al e x em pt i on fro m fu rt he r
t ran s mi grati on s .

’
R am an u j a s co nfli ct wit h t he w or shipp e rs o f S iv a was
c arrie d on with a gre at de al of v e h em e n ce an d he was hi m ,

s e lf o bli ge d t o s e ek re fu ge fr om hi s e n e mi e s i n t he cou r t '

o f t h e J ai n a Kin g o f Karn at a T wo di sti n ct s e cts cl aim in g .

t o b e his spiritu a l d e sc e n d an ts styli n g t h e m s e lve s Vad a ,

g al ais an d Te n g al ais re sp e ctive ly are t o b e f ou n d at p re s e n t

-
,

i n S ou th ern I n di a
’
R am an u j a s f o ll o we rs affirm t h at t h e ir
.

p rophe t was an in c arn ati on of t he divin e s erp e n t S e sh a .

L ik e oth er I n di an re form e rs or he re si ar chs R am an u j a ,

e s t ablish e d asc e tic or d er s i n c onn e cti on wit h his s e ct

kn own as t he S ri Vaishn avas an d fo u n de d a l arge n u m b e r ,

o f m on aste r i e s .

I/ i n gam w or shi p as org an ise d an d e xte n de d by S an k ar a

,

an d hi s i m m e di ate f o ll owe r s was n ot h owe v e r to b e ye t , , ,

o u st e d by its riv al Withi n a c en tu ry of t he p r om u lga

.

t i on by R am an u j a o f hi s Vish n u c u ltu s a n e w m ove m e n t ,

i n f av ou r o f S iv ais m was se t u p by B as ava i n t he s ou the r n

M ahrat t a c ou n try Thou gh a B rahm an by birt h B as ava
.
,

de n ie d t he s u p e ri ority o f t he B rahm an s an d trie d his b e s t ,

” 2
to ab oli sh t he di s t i n c t i on o f c aste H e als o Oppos e d .

m an y an cie n t o rth o d o x p r actice s — cre m ati on fo r e x am ple ,

an d e v e n qu e sti on e d t he in spir ati o n o f t he Ve d a s .

A cc ordi n g t o hi s followe rs B as av a was an i n c arn at i on ,

b u t o f S iv a s b u ll N an di wh o was s e n t d own
’
n o t o f S iv a , ,

e s e ci ally t o re viv e t h e S i vita c u l t u s 3

T o B as av a ar e
p .

a ttr ib u t e d m an y r e m ar k abl e m ir acl e s A ft e r his w ork on .

e arth was a cc om plish e d he dis app eare d i n t o t he S an gam e s

w ara li ngam an d t hu s re tu rne d t o t he h e ave n whe n ce he

,

c am e .

1
H i nd u Ca s tes and S ects, Dr B h at t ach arj ee , 4 35 by . J N . . p . .

2
I bid .p 39 6 . .

3
f ss
Pr o e or H H Wi on R el i gi ous S ects o/ the H i ndus ,
’
. . ls 14 3 s p . .

I I 7
TH E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I NDIA
B as ava e stab li sh e d an asce tic m e n dic an t order i n c o n
n e c t i on with his s e ct n am e d J an am as or Li n ai t s b e c au s e
g g ,

th ey w e ar a li ngam e n cl os e d i n a m e t al c ask e t s u sp e n de d
fr om t he n e ck by a c ord The o r de r re fe rre d t o is we ll .

k n own i n S ou t h ern I n di a b u t rep re s e n t ativ e s of i t are rare ly ,

m e t wit h i n t he c ou n t ry n or t h of t he Vi n dhyahs a lth ou gh ,

s om e are e stablish e d at B e n are s .

B u t t he p o litic al cl ou ds c on t in u e d t o g ath e r o ve rh e ad ,

t he d an g e r to Hin du is m still in c re as e d I slam was s t e adily .

tri u m phin g Wh at b e tte r c ou rs e was Op en t o t h e Hin d u s

.

th an t o f orge t t he ir s e ct ari an diffe ren ce s an d u nite t oge th e r

i n t h e w or shi p o f t h e divi n e Krish n a t h e c e n tral figu re o f ,

th at gre at H i n du e pic t he M ah abh arata an d t he ve ry1

, ,

o d Vish n u e lf i n wh o m al l Hi n du s c ou ld fi n d t h e ir
2
g hi m s ,

i de als s atisfie d An d s o i n t he thi rte e n t h c e n tu ry Mad

.

h av ach arya a K an ar e s e B r ah m an
,
b orn i n A D 119 9 ,
. .
,

vig orou sly p re ach e d t he sp e ci al w orship o f Kr ishn a b u t , ,

u n lik e R am an u j a with ou t di spl ayin g any h os t ili t y wh at

,

e v e r t o S iv ais m hi s obj e ct b e i n g t o e ffe ct a u n i o n o f S i v i t e s

,

an d Vish n u vi t e s u n d e r a n e w re ligi ou s b ann e r .

To t his e n d t he i m ag e s o f S iv a D u rg a an d G an e sh
3 4
, ,

are w o rshipp e d al o n g with t h o s e o f Vish n u i n t h e t e m pl e s

o f t he s e c t e st ablish e d by Madh av ach ar a

y .

A s i n t he p re s en t tim e t he Kr ishn a cu lt s ee m s to b e
i n e sp e ci al f av ou r am on gs t t h e I n di an p e opl e an d a s i t s ,

sp re ad i n c e rt ain f orm s m u s t affe ct t he p ractic e of au s

t e ri t i es it s e e m s d e si rabl e t o co n sid er t h e p op u l ar b e li e fs
,

re sp e c t i n g this od
g .

I n t he M ah abh ara t a he is a w arri or ki n g wis e s u btle , , ,

an d fu ll o f g u il e H e is als o t he S u p re m e B e i n g an d
.
,

u n m ist ak ably r e v e als him s e lf as s u c h S om e of t he .

e ar li e r P u r an as r e p re s e n t hi m i n t he s am e light But .

1
pi t m
An e o e of t he M h bh a a ar at a f or m s p a or t i on o f m y Gr ea t I ndi a n
E pi (G g B
cs e or e e ll s S on ) .

K i sh i
2
r na s re g d d by s m
ar th i gh t h i
e ti ( f V
o i sh u )
e as e e n c ar n a on o n ,

b t ac
u di g t c or n o th m e t h d x vi w h w
ore or Vi sh u hi m s lf o d w o e e as n e ,
an as
” ’
n ot a m e re i n c arn at i on .
-
Dr . B hat t ach arj ee s H i nd u Cas te: a nd S ects ,
p . 4 15 .

3
The Wi fe of Siv a .

4
The god o f wi sd m f S iv
o d P v, s on o a an ar p s
at i , re re e n te d as a sh or t

c or pul e n t m an wi t h f u h ds d t h h ad f
o r an an e e o an e e l ph t an .

1 18
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S A I NT S OF I NDIA
p ally p re achi n g an d t e achi n g o f a B rahm an
t hr ou gh t h e
n am e d R am an an d wh o live d at B e n are s i n t h e thi rt e e n t h
,

o r f o u r t e e n t h c en t u ry I t is s aid t h at R am an an d o n e o f
.
,
’
R am an u j a s s u cc e ss or s h avi n g t rav e ll e d e x t e n sive ly o ve r
,

I n di a ret u rn e d t o o n e of t he m on ast eri e s of his s e ct whe n

, ,

s om e pri e st or o t h e r rais e d t he o bj e c t i on t h at i n his

w an deri n gs he co u ld n o t p o ssibly h ave o bs e rve d t he ru l e
j
o f t h e R am an u a s e c t r e qui ri n g m e als t o b e strictly p riv at e
, .

On th e s e gro un ds R am an an d was re qu i re d to e at ap ar t
!

from t he re st o f t he bre th ren I n r e s en tm en t he f ou n de d .

a n ew s e ct an d t o sh o w his co n t e m pt for c as t e di s t i n o
, ,

t i on s , fre ely adm itt e d i n to it m e n o f all c ast e s even ,

the lowest ; an d thi s was p rob ably a p ru den t o r e ven

n e c e ss ary c on c e ssi on t o p o p ul ar f ee li n g m or e t h an e v e r ,

un wi lli n g t o a cc e p t t he old y ok e sin c e I sl am was pre ,

p are d t o re c eive all i nt o its com m u ni on on a f oo ti n g of

e q u ality .

’
R am an an d s f ollowe r s w ere tau ght to pay e sp e ci al
r e v e re n c e to R am a an d his wif e S it a ; for wi th p oli t ic al ,

d an ge r s l oomi n g on t he h oriz on wh at m o re n atu ral t han ,

’
t o t u rn on e s t h o u ghts t o t he f aul t l e ss p ri n c e wh o whil e ,

an i n c arn at i o n o f d e i t y h ad b e e n i n hi s h u m an ch ara c t e r
,

a w an d eri n g a sc e tic i n t h e f ore s t s o f C en tral I n di a for n o

l e ss t h an f ou rt e en ye ar s an d wi t h al a s u cce ssfu l warri or , ,

c ap abl e o f ave n gi n g a wr on g e v e n wh en t he e vil doer was -

t h e t e rri bl e t e n h e ad e d d e m on ki n g o f t h e R aksh as as
- 1 -
.

A g ai n wh at m ore ch armi n g an d m ore adm i rabl e char

,

a ct e r c o u ld b e f o u n d t o ar o u s e t he l o v e an d h o m ag e o f

all g o o d m en th an th at e v er f aithf u l an d t e n d er wif e t he -

,

p e erl e ss S i t a .

The c u l t i n s t i t u t e d by R am an an d was an e x am pl e o f
t h e w o r shi p o f Go d i n carnated i n hu m an form si mi l ar t o ,

t h at w hi ch we h av e i n Chris t i ani t y— a r eligi on whi ch h ad

al r e ady b e c o m e f am i li ar t o t h e I n di an p e o pl e ; for R om an
Cat h olic m i ssi on ari e s h ad l on g b een e stablishe d am on gs t
t he m .

I f S ivais m was t o b e s u p ers e de d by Vishn u is m s u re ly ,

1
Th e st y or of R am a i s t h e s u bj e ct of t he f am o us s
S an k r i t e i c , t he p
R am a y f wh i h
an a, o c I h v gi v
a e en an e pi t om e in m y Gr ea t I n d i a n E p i cs
( Ge or g B ll S s )
e e on .

1 20
 S UCCE S S I VE P H A S E S OF M O D E R N H I ND U I S M
t he obj e ct o f ad orati on sh o u ld b e a go d m an like R am a
-
,

a m o d e l son an d an e x e m pl ary h u sb an d , b u t abov e all a

r e d o u b t abl e w arri or an d a l e ad er o f a v e n gi n g h o s t s
.

The re are b o t h m on ks an d n u n s c on n e ct e d wit h t he

s e ct o f t he R am an an dis who h ave fl ourishi n g m on aste ri e s
,

t hr o u gh o u t N o rthern I n di a
.

12 1
 —
CH A P TE R V I l c on ti n u e d

S E CT I O N III .
—Mo d er n D e m o c r at i c Re f or m e r s —K bi a r, hi sp uli ec d ar an

im p p si t i
or t an t R f m — V ll b h h
o on as a e or er a a ac ar
y s
a t s u p t
e h e

W sh i p f K i sh
or B l G p l — Ch i t y t h
o r n a as a a o a a a an a e Mys t i p h s c r e ac e

t h W sh i p f K i sh
e or m R dh —B b N
o r k
n a cu a a a a an a an d hi T hi g
s e ac n

Th S i k hs — D d u
e d h i S t —R m Ch
a an d th s ec a ar n an e R a m S an e h i s
f u d d by hi m — Th R j p t P i ss Mi b i D v t
o n e e a u r n ce ra a a e o e e of K i shn
r a

Th T e d f L t t d y H i du i s m —B i f S u m m y
r en o a er - a n r e ar .

thi s t i m e all t he h e re si ar chs

to
— for s u ch t h e y r e ally w ere
m en t i on e d i n t hi s sk e t ch from ,

S an k ara A ch arya t o R am a
n an d were B rahm an s an d m e n ,

o f e d u c at i o n .

Al t h o u gh t h e y b e l on g e d t o
t h e p rivil e g e d c as t e o f t h e h ere
di t ary p ri e sth oo d d em o crat ic ,

te n den ci e s b e c am e m ore an d
m o re app are n t in t he s e ct s
whi ch s u cc e ssiv ely aros e un d e r
t h e i r g u id an c e t h e l at t er o f t h e s e ,

e xhi bi t i n g a v e r y m ar k e d di sr e

g ard for c as t e di sti n ction s A t t he s am e t i m e an thr o p o .

,

m o rp hi c l e an i n gs are pl ai n ly m ani fe s t i n t h e e x t en si v e
an d p o p u l ar w o r s hi p o f t h e Ksh atriy a w arri or s K rish n a

an d R am a .

In K abi r we h av e a l o w c as t e m an un acqu ain t e d wi t h -

S an sk ri t li t e r at u r e a n d a r e form e r o f s u ch a s t riki n gly

,

n e w t yp e am o n gs t H i n d u r eli gi ou s l e ad ers t h at he c alls

for m ore th an a p assi n g n ot i c e This m an t h ere is re aso n .
,

122
 TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S A I NTS OF INDIA
i m m e di ate disciple s he was a p ron ou n ce d m ystic gifte d , ,
1

by n atu re with a gre at p owe r o f e m o t i on al in flu en c e B u t .

,
’
m ystic t h ou gh h e was K abi r s w orl dl y wisd om le d hi m t o ,

advis e his discipl e s t o c on cili ate all m e n .

hly
S ha b s e i i e , s h a b s e m i i e , ly
S h a b k a li j i ye n a m ;
H a n i i h an j i s h a b s e k i j i ye ,
- -

Wa s a a pn a ga m ,

which j in glin g c ou ple t m ay b e s u fficien tly re n dere d

Mi x wi t h al l wi t h al l a ss o c i at e ,

Eac h m an s n am e b w f ; o rro re e

Let Ye s , si r !
’
on y u li p b v
o r s e e er ,

B ut i bd e
’
n ea th y u w o ft
r o n roo -
re e .

K abir th o u gh a m o n o the ist aft e r t he I ndi an fashi on

, ,

did n ot d en y t he e xis te n c e o f t he Hin du de itie s ; b u t he

c ons ide re d th at th ei r w ors hi p was n o t n e c e ss ary an d he ,

was cle arly an t i id ol at r ou s i n hi s vi e ws Wh at was a

-
.

n e w t hi n g i n H i n d u is m K abir i n sis t e d t h at pu ri ty of heart ,

was all i m p ort an t an d c e re m on ie s or m o de s o f wo rship o f

-

litt le acc ou n t .

Thu s s aid t he t e ach e r To Ali an d R am a we owe

o u r e xis t e n c e an d sho u ld th e re f o r e sh o w si m il ar t e n d e r
,

n e ss t o all t h a t liv e : o f wh at av ail is it t o sh av e y ou r

h e ad p r ostrate y our s e lf on t he g rou n d or i m m ers e y ou r

, ,

b ody i n t he stre am ? Whils t you she d bl o od you c all

y our s e lf p u re an d b oast o f virtu e s t h at you n e ver di spl ay .

O f wh at b e n e fit is cle an in g y ou r m ou t h c ou n ti n g y ou r ,

b e ads p er f orm i n g ablu ti on s an d b owin g y ou rs e lf i n

, ,

te m ple s wh e n whilst you m u tt er y ou r p raye rs or j ou rn e y

, ,

t o M e cc a o r M e di n a d e c e itfu l n e ss is i n y ou r h e art The

, .

Hin du fasts e ve ry e le ve n t h d ay t he Mu ss u lm an du rin g ,

t he R am az an Who form e d t he re m ai n in g m on ths an d

.

d ays t h at you sh ou ld v e n erate b u t on e ? I f t he Cre at or

dwe ll i n t ab ern acle s wh os e r e side n ce is t he u ni ve rs e ? ,

Wh o has b e he ld R am a s e ate d am on gs t t he i m ag e s or ,

fo u n d hi m at t he sh ri n e to whi ch t he pilgri m has dire cte d

1
Mys t i i s m c , Dr Ma x . N o r d au s ysa , i s t he e xp ssire on o f t he i n a t i t p ud e

fo r a t t e n t i on , for l c e ar h u gh t
t o ,
a n d c on t ro l of t he e m o t i on s , an d h a s fo r i t s
ca u se t he w e ak n e ss o f t h h i gh
e e r c e re b l ra c en t r e s —D
.
”
egen erat i o n , p . 53 6 .

1 24
 S UCCE S S I VE P H A S E S O F M O D E R N H I ND U I S M
his ste ps ? The city o f H ara is t o t he c ast t h at o f Ali ,

t o t he we s t ; b u t e xpl or e y ou r o wn he art for th e re are ,

” 1
b ot h R am a an d K arim .

A ch aracte ri s t ic st ory t old o f K abir e xtracte d fro m ,

’
S he a an d Tr oy e s t r an sl at io n o f t he Dab i s t an m ay n ot b e ,

o u t o f pl ac e h ere .

K ab i r sh o we d always gre at reg ard for t he faqu i rs .

On e d ay a n u m b er o f d er vis h e s c am e t o hi m H e r e c e i ve d .

t h e m wi t h r e sp e c t i n his h ou s e As he p oss e ss e d n ot hin g .

,

t o sh ow his ge n e r os i t y an d m u ni fi c e n c e t o th e m he w e n t ,

from d o or t o d oor t o p r o cu re s o m e t hin g b u t h avi n g fou n d ,

n o t hi n g he s aid t o hi s wife
, H as t t h ou n o frie n d fr o m ,

wh om t h ou m aye st b orrow s o m e t hin g S he an swe re d ,

The re is a gr o c er i n t his s t re e t wh o t hre w an e ye o f

b ad d esir e u p on m e ; w ou ld I fr om this sinn e r d e m an d
s o met hi n g I sh ou ld o b t ai n i t
,
’
K abir s ai d Go i m .
,

m e di ate ly t o hi m gran t hi m wh at he desire s an d b rin g

, ,
’
s om et hin g for t he de rvishe s The w om an w en t t o t he .

le wd gro c e r an d re qu e s t e d t he l oan o f wh at she r e qu ire d .

H e re p li e d I f th ou c om e st t his n i ght t o m e t hy r e qu es t ,

is gran t e d The w om an c on s e n t e d an d sw ore t he oat h

.
,

whi ch he im p os e d u p on he r t o c o m e aft e r which t he ,

gro ce r g ave he r ric e oi l an d wh ate ver t he s e m en m ight

, ,

like Wh en t he faqu i rs we ll s at i sfie d we n t t o re st a

.
, , ,

h e avy r ain b e g an t o fall an d t he w om an wi sh e d t o b re ak

,

h e r e n g age m e n t ; b u t K abir i n or de r t o k ee p he r tr u e t o ,

h e r w or d h avi n g t ak e n h e r u p on hi s sh ou ld e r c arrie d he r
, ,

i n t h e d ark an d r ai n y ni gh t thr ou gh t he d ee p m u d t o t he
sh O o f t h e b a d gr o c e r d pl aced hi m s lf t h i n a
p an e , e re

c orn e r Whe n t he w o m an h ad e n te re d i n t o t he in terior

.

p art o f t he h ou s e an d t h e m an f ou n d he r fe e t u n s u lli e d
, ,

he s aid t o h e r H ow di ds t t h ou arrive wi t h ou t t hy fe e t
,

b e in g di rt y The w om an c on c e aled t h e f a c t The gr o c er .

c on j u re d h e r by t he h oly n am e o f God t o r e ve al t he
t ru t h . The w om an u n able t o r e fus e s aid wh at h ad t ak e n
, ,

place . The gro c e r on h e arin g this sh ri e ke d an d was

, ,

s e n s e le ss Wh e n he had r e c ove re d his s en s e s he ran

.
,

’
o u t an d t h re w hi m s e lf at K abi r s fe e t Afterwards h avin g .
,

S bd t h e 56 t h q u o t d i n Pr fe ss or H H Wi ls on s S k etch of the
1 ’
a a , e o . .

R el i gi ous S ects f the H i nd u s

o , pp . 52, 5 3 .

12 5
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
dis t rib u te d am on g t he p o or wh ate v e r he had in his shOp ,
” 1
he b e c am e a vi ragi .

The c ar di n al p re c e pts o f K abir are t he o blig atio n s o f

hu man i ty and tr ut h t h e d e sirabili t y o f r e ti re m en t fr om t h e
,

w orld an d ab ov e all i m plicit de v o ti on i n w ord ac t an d

, , ,
!
, ,

”
t h ou ght t o t he gu ru or spiritu al gu id e , This l as t p re c e pt .
,

whi ch did n o t origi n ate wi t h K abir an d is by n o m e an s ,

p e cu li ar t o hi s s e c t h as t aken s t ron g h o ld of t he I n di an
,

m i n d an d h as le d t o gu ru w orship o f a d e cid e dly obj e cti on

,
-

abl e typ e .

M u ch o f K abi r s te achi n g was s o g re at ly t o t he taste

’

o f hi s M u h am m ad an c ou n t ry m e n t h at t h e y a ctu ally cl ai m e d

hi m as a t ru e Mu sli m I t i s n arrat e d t h at afte r his d e ath

.

b oth Hin du s an d M u h am m adan s con t e n de d for t he p o ss e ssi on

o f his b o dy e ach d e si rin g t o do h o n o u r t o t he s ai n t ;
,
bu t ,

while t h ey disp u te d K abir him s e lf app e are d i n t h e ir m idst

, ,

an d dir e ct e d t h e m t o l oo k u n d e r t h e cl o th wh i ch was s u pp o s e d

t o c o v e r his m o rt al r e m ai n s an d aft e r s ayi n g t his i n s t an t ly

,

v an ish e d Wh en t he c ov erle t was lifte d a h e ap o f swee t

.

sc e n t e d fl owers was disc o v ere d an d n o thin g m o re The , .

c on t e n din g p artie s aston ish e d an d awe s t ru ck sh are d t he

, ,

bl o om s b e tween th e m an d de alt wi t h th e m acc ordi n g t o

,

t h e i r r e sp e c t ive f u n e r al c e re m oni e s .

On e h alf o f t he fl ow e rs was b u rn t by t he H in d u s t h e ,

o th er h alf was b u ri e d by t he M u sli m s an d a c e n o t aph ,

e re ct e d ov e r i t .

I t is i m p o ssible t o o ve rl o o k t he f ac t t h at K abir st an ds
o u t i n p r om i n e n t c on t r as t wi t h t he H i n d u s e c t f o u n d e r s -

wh o h ad p re c e de d hi m b e in g a l ow c as t e m an an d u n ,
-

e d u c ate d an d t h at i n h i m
,
t he i n flu e n c e o f I sl am an d
p e rh aps als o o f Christi an i t y are cle arly trac e able The .

i m p ort an c e o f K abir i n t he m ore re c e n t re li gi ou s his t ory o f

I n di a is n ot t o b e g au ge d by t he n u m b er o f his p ro fe ss e d
foll owe rs — t he Kabi r panthi s — for t h e y are n o t a v e ry
-

’
co n side rable b ody ; b u t K abir s te achi n g has l arge ly i n
flu e n c e d th at o f s u bs e qu e n t s e ct fou n de rs — G u ru Nan ak -
,

for e x am pl e .

The b o oks re c og n is e d by his f o ll owe rs as e m b o dyi n g

1
Th e D e hi s t a n o f M o s u n Fan i t ran sl t e d by S h ea an d T ro y e s
, l a , vo . 11.

pp . 18 9 , 19 0 .

1 26
TH E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NT S OF I N D I A
At t h e ti m e of Ch ai t an ya s
dv e n t t he p olit ic al s t ate ’
a

o f B e n g al was fr o m t he Hi n d u p oi n t o f Vi e w gl o om y i n
, ,

t h e e x t re m e an d t h e r e li gi on o f t h e p e o pl e s e e m s t o h av e
1
,

b e en for t he m o st p art n o t hi n g b u t u n disg uis e d lic en t i o u s

n e ss S u re ly a r e fo rm o f m o rals was e ss en t i al b e f o re an y
.

am e li o r at i o n o f p o li t ic al c on di t i on s c o u ld b e h o p e d fo r .

”
The b acch an ali an o r gi e s o f t h e Tan t ri c s write s a B en g ali , ,

’
an d t h ei r w o rshi p o f a sh am e ful ly e xp o s e d f em al e ,

p ro vok e d t he abh orre n c e o f Ch ai t an y a an d rou s e d hi s en e rgy

t o re m o ve t he d ee p bl o ts u p on t he n at i on al ch ara ct er He .

c om m en ce d his l ab o urs by h oldi n g m ee t i n gs o f his

i m m e di ate fri en ds At t h e s e m e e t i n gs he e xp o u n de d t he
.

life an d acts of K rishn a P ass ag e s i n Bh agb u t which .

e v ery on e u n d e rs t o o d i n a li t e ral s e n s e h e c o n s t ru e d
figura t i vely ; an d by striki n g u p on t h e e m o ti on al ch o r d
,

of o u r n at u r e he t h ou gh t o f p u t t i n g d o wn s e n s u alis m
,

by s en t i m en t I n a li t t l e t i m e his e n th u si asm affe c t e d

.

” 2
h un dre ds an d g at h ere d r ou n d hi m a body of discipl e s
,
.

We h ave am pl e bi ographic al de t ails o f Ch ai t an ya an d ,

f rom t h e s e i t is e vid en t t h at hi s was on e o f t h o s e hi ghl y

n e u r o t ic e m o t i on al t em p e ram e n t s b ord eri n g u p o n m ad n e ss
, , ,

whi ch are ch aracte ristic o f wh at i t is t he p re s en t f ashi on

”
t o c all t he hi ghe r d e g en e rat e s M ore th an o n ce i n deed .
, ,

t h e bo rd e r li n e o f s an i t y s e e m s t o h av e b e e n p ass e d by
hi m an d h e m e t hi s e n d by walki n g i n to t he s ea at P uri
,

i n a fi t of m e n t al ab err at i on The e ss en c e o f t he N adya .

’
r e f o rm e r s t e achi n g h as b e e n t h u s s u m m e d u by B g ali
p a en

B rahm an Ch aitan ya t au gh t t h at bhak ti or fe rven t de vo ,

t io n was t he o nl y road t ow ards Go d an d t h at bhak t i was

, ,

o f t he f oll o wi n g ki n ds

1 The d e v o t i on of a s e r van t t o hi s m ast e r

. .

2 The d e vo t i on o f a fri e n d t o a fri e n d

. .

3 Th e d e voti on o f a p are n t t o a child

. .

4 The d e v o ti o n o f a l ady t o h e r l o v e r
. .

1
Ab ou t t he t i m e wh en S r e e Ga ur an g a (i . e C ai t an
. h y a ) a pp e ar e d ,

B g lh
en a ly l s t i t i d p d
ad n e a r Tho ul M h mm d
s n e en en c e . e r e r was a o a e an ,

an d t h u gh t h H i d u s s u
, o e d d f m tim t tim i
n u pyi g t h
cce e e ro e o e n o cc n e

thr on e,th y w bli g d t m b

e ere o M h m m d i sm i d t t i
e o e ra c e o a e an n or er o re a n

th i
e r s v i g t y —L ord G
o er e n
”
g . S l ti f A ll by S h i h iau r a n a, or a va on or , s r

Ku m Gh s (C l u t t
ar o e l i I t du t i
a c p ix
a, vo . . n ro c on , . .

f H i d by B h l t h Ch u d pp 29 30
2
T l ra ve s o a n u, o an a n er , .
, .

128
 S UCCE S S I VE P H A S E S O F M O D E R N H I ND U I S M
Ch ai t an ya c om m en de d R adh a wor shi p an d t au ght
re ,

t h at t he b e s t f orm o f d e v o ti on was t h at whi ch R adh a as ,

t he b e l o ve d m istre ss o f Krishn a fe l t for hi m 1

The , .

re f o rm e r als o i n c ul c at e d t he n e c e ssi t y of s t rict v e ge

t ari ani sm an d tot al absti n en ce from i n t o xic an t s H e .

p rohi bit e d ani m al s ac ri fic e s an d e ve n c o m m u ni c at i on wi t h ,

all wh o p erfor m e d s u ch s acrific e s The re m arri age o f .

wid o ws fo u n d favou r wi t h hi m .

Men of all c ast e s e v en t he l owe s t an d Mu h am m ad an s , ,

als o were admi tt e d in t o his s e ct by Ch ait an ya

,
Three .

of hi s p ri n ci p al di scipl e s n am ely R u p S an at an a n d , , , ,
” 2
H ari d a s w ere I sl am i t e s
,
.

An i n n o v ati on m ad e b y Ch aitan ya was re ligi ou s

m u si c al pr oc e s sm n s kn o wn a s s ank i rtan s H ow p ower fu ll y .

mu s i c — d r a
e m y s e n s u o u s s u btl e m u sic —,m ay sw ay t he ,

e m o t i o n s o f m en e v en t o e cs t a sy is well kn own i n t he
, ,

hi s t or y o f all r eli gi o n s e ven I sl am ; s o it is n o t t o b e ,

won dere d at t h at t he san k i rtan s o f Ch aitan ya app eali n g ,

st ron gly t o hi ghly i m p re ssi on abl e n at u re s aid e d t he spre ad ,

o f hi s t e achi n g ve r y m u ch an d h ave b e c o m e an e xc e e di n gly ,

p op ul ar fe atu re i n re c e n t re ligi o u s m o ve m en t s i n I n di a .

Ch ait an ya was fon d o f the atricals an d on ce pl ayi n g wi t h , ,

o th er am at e u rs t oo k t he p ar t of R u k hmi ni , t he chi e f wife of ,

Krishn a .

The hi st ory o f re ligi on sh o ws h ow r e adi ly i n all

c o un tri e s e m oti on al n at u re s i m p ort t he ide as o f s e xu al
re l ati on ships i n t o t h e i r m ystic al l o n gi n gs for uni on wi t h

—
t he D ivi n e B ei n g a t e n d e n cy whi ch e ven t he str on g h an d
o f a g u i di n g c en tr al au th o ri t y h as n ot alw a ys b e e n abl e
3
t o re s t rain fr om d e ve l o pi n g i n t o o bj e c t i on abl e p ractic e s .

1
B h a t t a c h ar j e e
’
s H i n du Cas tes and S ects , p . 4 69 .

2
I bi d . p . 4 64 .

by W R I g pp 13 9 14 0 W i t i g f S t
Chr i s t i a n M ys t i ci s m ,
3 . . n e, .
, . r n o .

h
Ca t er i n e o f S i e n a, sp u s f Ch i st M J h A ddi g t S ym ds
t he o e o r ,
”
r . o n n on on

s ys
a , C i st m r C i st m o a Th it
or e ti . f th w d l v
r o a ore .
’
e re e ra on o e or o e

i m st si g i fi
s o t It wn th k y c an t f h . wh l t h l gy t h m i as e e no e o er o e eo o , e a n

S p i g f h li f
r n o I m
er ly figu t i v s s di d h g d h s lf
e . n no er e ra e en e s e re ar er e

as t h Sp us
e f Ch i s t b t dw l t u p
o e o t h bl i ss b y
r d ll m t l h ppi
, u e on e , e on a or a a

ne ss whi h h j y d i s u p s u l m m u i wi t h h L d I t
, c s e en o e n e r e ns a co n on er or .

i
s ea sy t u d st d h w s h i d s m i ght b
o n er an d h v b o u pt d uc ea e , an a e e e n , c orr e ,

wh i m p ss d
en retu s l ss s u s p t i bl b t w k
e on n a d l ss gi ft d
re no e ce e, u ea er a n e e

th St C th i s S k tch i I t l y d G i i i p 53
’ ”
an . a er n e .
-
e es n a an r e ec e, . . .

I I 29
T H E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D, , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
No w Ch ai t an ya h am p ere d by an y c on trollin g au thority
, un ,

p re achi n g e arn e st ly i n a warm clim at e t o a highly

e m o t i o n al p e opl e c om m e n de d with s u cce ss t he w orshi p
,

o f K rish n a cu m R a dh a ; an d s u ch a c o m bi n ati o n i n spite ,

o f s u btl e h e rm e neu t is t s e xpl ai n i n g it as a m ystic al u n i on ,

h as n o t f ai l e d t o l e ad t o e xt rav agan t profli gac y am on gst

t h e m or e ard e n t f oll o w e r s o f t h e c ul t
1
.

Ch aitan ya it m ay b e m e n t io n e d was an ticip ate d by

, ,

an o th e r l e a d e r Ni m b adi t ya who f o u n d e d a s e c t kn own as

, ,

t h e Ni m at s wi t h h e adqu art ers at M u ttra

,
I t is al m o s t .

u n n e c e ss ary t o s ay t h a t t h e p ro ph e t o f N adiya was i n t h e

e y e s o f hi s discipl e s n o t hi n g l e ss th an a n i n c arn at i on o f

Vi sh n u an d e ve n i n his life ti m e a t e m pl e was e r e c t e d i n

, ,

—
which his i m age an al m o st n ak e d m en di c an t p ai n t e d
—
yell ow was t he obj e ct o f wo rshi p .

The s e ct f ou n de d by Ch ait an y a n e arly f ou r h u n dre d

ye ars ago is s t ill fl ou rishin g an d s ee m s l atte rly t o h ave ,

b ee n m aki n g gre at p rogre ss B i n drab u n on t he b an ks of .

,

t he J u m n a id e n tifi e d as t he sp o t wh e re K rish n a c arrie d

,

on his i n t rig u e s with t he gapi s o we s i t s e xiste n c e an d its,

p re s e n t fl ou rishin g state t o Ch ait an y a an d t he s e ct which

o rigi n at e d wi t h h i m The p roph e t hi m s e lf l e ft n o iss u e
.
,
’
b u t he h ad t wo B rah m an co adj u t ors i n his life s m issi on ;
an d t h e i r d e sc e n d an ts n ow k n ow n as gos sai n s
, are t he ,

ack n o wl e dge d an d v e n e rat e d sp i r itu al h e ads o f t he s e ct .

Writin g with re fe re n ce t o t he Vaishn avas o f B e n gal ,

an d t he Chai t an i t e s i n p ar tic u l ar Pro fe sso r H H Wils on , . .

s ays
O f all oblig ati on s howe ve r t he gu r u pa dasraya or
, , ,

s e rvile v e n e ration o f t he spiritu al te ach er is t he m ost ,

i m p ort an t an d c o m p u ls ory The m e m b e rs o f this s e ct are

.

n ot o n ly r e qu i re d t o d e liv e r u th e m s e lv s an d e v e rythi n g
p e

v alu able t o t he disp os al o f t he gu ru t h e y are n ot on ly t o ,

e n t e r t ai n fu ll b e li e f i n t h e u s u al Vaish n av a te n e t which ,

ide n t i fi e s t he v o t ary t he te ach e r an d t he god b u t t h e y

, , ,

a r e t o l o o k u p on t h e u u a s o n e an d t he p re s e n t d e i ty
g r ,

as p o ss e ss e d o f m ore au t h ori t y e v e n t h an t he d e i t
’

an d
y ,

as o n e wh o s e f av o u r is m ore t o b e c o u r t e d an d wh os e

1
A n acco n t
u f th m o
o d i s put abl Chai t a i t e s e c t s o f B n gal i s g i ve n
e re re e n e

i n Dr B ha t t ach arj
. ee s
’
H i nd u Ca s tes a nd S ects , pp . 4 8 0—8 3 .

1 30
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D, , S AI N T S O F I ND I A
di ffe re d little if at all fr om o rdin ary H in du p an the is m
, , ,

his S u p re m e B e in g h avin g n o s e p ara te c on sci ou s e xiste n ce

, .

B u t s o m u ch was N an ak u n d e r t he i n flu e n c e o f I sl am th at
he o fte n re fe rs t o Go d i n te r m s which m ight b e app ro p ri ate ly
u s e d by a M u h am m ad an o r a C h ris t i an An d h e was s o
.

far e m an cip ate d fr om t he p ow e r o f Hi n du t raditi on s an d

p ractic e th a t he diss u ade d his di sciple s fr om t he w orship
o f id o ls an d t he o bs erv an c e o f Hi n d u r e ligi ou s c e re m o ni e s .

B orn an d re are d u n de r a p ower ful Mu h am m adan g ove rn

m e n t, N an ak e n de av ou re d lik e his p re de c e sso r K abir
, ,

t o assimi l ate hi s d o ctri n e s t o t h os e o f his m aste rs with ou t

ab an d on i n g t he f aith o f his f ath e r s ; an d h e str ove t o c on

cili ate t he do m i n an t class by m ain tain in g th at the re was

n o m a te r i al di ffe re n c e b e t w e e n Hi n du an d M u sli m this ,

syn cre t is m b e in g on ly t o o n atural on t he p art o f t he re ligi o u s

Hin du i n t he fa c e o f t he p owe rfu l big otry an d p r os e lytisin g
e n e r gy o f t he I sl ami c ru l e r s .

N an ak claim e d th at t he S u p re m e B e in g was his gu ru ,

an d h ad appoi n te d hi m t he gu ru of m an ki n d All c as t e s .

we re ad m itte d in t o his s e ct n ow we ll k n own as t he S i k hs

,

o f t h e P u n j ab . On e o f hi s e arli e st di s ciple s M ard an a was , ,

a M u ss u l m an by b i rt h .

N an ak was s u cce e de d by n i n e gu ru s an d u n d e r t he ,

l ast o f th es e — G ovin d S in gh (A D 1675 . . wh o

c om pile d a s e co n d Gran th kn own as t he G ran t h of t he
T e n t h R e ign — t he p e ace ful re ligi on o f Nan ak was tran s
form e d in t o a m ilit an t c ree d S ti m u l ate d by thi s n e w
.

cu lt t he S i k hs de ve l op e d l ater o n in t o a p owe r fu l p o litic al

,

o r g ani s ati on . T hi s re m ark able m e tam orph osis was d u e t o

re s e n t m e n t at t he re ligi ou s p e rs e cu ti on s an d Opp re ssive
e x a cti o n s c arri e d o n by t h e M u h am m ad an r u l e r s o f I n di a ,

an d was p o we r fu lly aid e d by t h e f av o u rabl e Opp o rt u n ity

for re ve n g e l oo t an d s e lf agg ran dis e m e n t a ff ord e d by t he

, ,
-

ve ry palpab le de c ay o f t he Mu sli m powe r i n I n di a d u rin g

~

t he e igh t ee n th c e n tu ry .

The S i k hs o f G ovi n d S i n gh are p e rm itte d to e at fle sh ,

t h ou gh n o t b e e f an d m ay dr i n k arde n t S pi rits an d bh an g
, ,

b u t are p r ohi b i te d from us i n g t ob acc o i n an y f orm .

On t he wh ol e S i k hi s m s e e m s t o h ave b e e n an e ff or t
, ,

pr ol on ge d b u t by no m e an s qu ite s u cce ss ful to do with ou t

, ,

132
 S UCCE S S I V E P H A S E S OF M O D E R N H I ND U I S M
t he g o ds of t he H in du Pan the on an d th e ir B rahm an
p rie s t h oo d t o disc ar d idolat ry an d t o sh ake o ff t he fe t t e rs
, ,

o f c as t e A t t he p e ri o d o f i t s g re ate s t di ve rgen ce fr om
.
‘

H in du is m t he S i k h s e c t stan ds fort h as a de m o crat i c

,

brotherh oo d b e li e vin g i n a s ort o f v agu e I n di an p an t he is m

,

disgu is e d as m on ot he is m N ow h o we ve r m an y sh ade s
.
, ,

o f Opin i on p re vai l am on gs t t he S i k hs an d m an y ve ry ,

H in du p ract i ce s fi n d fav ou r am on gs t a l arg e p r op orti on

o f t he b r o t h e rh oo d .

S i k hi s m h as gi v e n r is e t o s e veral m e n di can t o rde rs ,

an d a g oo dly n u m b e r O f fl ou rishi n g m o n aste ri e s kn own as

Akh aras b el on gin g t o t he s e ct e xist i n t he Pu n j ab an d
, ,

N or t h e rn I n di a .

Dadu ( A D . . 1550 — Wit hin a few y e ars of t he

d e at h o f B ab a N an ak a v e ry l ow c aste m an o f t he n am e o f
,
-

D adu fou n de d i n R aj pu t an a a n ew n on id ol at rou s s e c t o f -

R am a w or shipp e r s an d a ft e r hi s m i ssi on o n e art h was

,

c om ple te d he asce n de d t o h e av e n fr om t he hill Nar ain a i n

Jeypore t e rrit ory where s t an ds t h e p rin cip al m on astery o f
,

his s e c t kn own as t he D adu Pan t hi s

,
.

Ram Charn , b e l on gin g t o t he fi rst h alf of t he e ighte en t h

c e n tur y was an ot he r r e f orm e r wh o re s olu te ly Opp osin g id o l
, ,

w orshi p e m b r oi le d him s e lf wit h t he B r ah m an s an d was i n

, ,

c on s e qu e n c e s u bj e cte d t o m u ch p e r s e c u t i o n a t th e ir h an ds .

The R am S an ch i s e ct f o u n de d b y hi m is o f au ste re h ab i ts ,

an d fre e ly a d m it s t o i t s fe ll o wship H i n du s o f all c as t e s .

All m e m b e rs o f t he s e c t are vege t arian s an d are re qu ire d ,

t o abstain fr om in t oxic an ts as w e ll as from n ar c ot i c dru gs

,

an d t o b a c c o .

R am a I s t he sp e ci al god o f t he s e c t Bo t h m en an d .

wo m e n t ak e p art d ai ly i n his wo r shi p th ou gh t he t wo ,

s e xe s are n ot p ermi t t e d t o d o so at t he s am e t i m e The .

rel i gi o u s s e r vic e s o f t h e R am S an chi s ar e s ai d t o h av e a

s t ro n g re s e m bl an c e t o t h o s e o f t he M u ss u lm an s .

Two m e n di c an t o rd e r s b e l on g t o t h e s e c t whi ch h as ,

i t s pri n ci p al m on as t ery at S h ahp ur i n R aj p u t an a ,

In ddi t i o n t o t he n u m b er o f e xam pl e s o f H i n du
a

here si archs al re ady given i n t his vol um e one fe m al e ,

1 33
TH E MY S T I C S , AS CE T I C S , AN D S AI N TS O F I NDIA
s e ct fo un der t he R aj p u t pri n c e ss Mi rab ai m ay also b e
-
, ,

m e n tio n e d .

O f thi s l ady i t is rel ate d i n t he Bh akt a m al a t h at 1

on a cc ou n t o f h er r e f u s al t o a b an d o n t he w o r ship o f K rish n a ,

a t t h e c om m an d o f h e r h u sb an d t h e R a na o f U d ayp ur sh e , ,

was e xp ell e d fro m t he roy al p al ac e b u t i n c on side r atio n o f ,

h er r an k was allowe d a s e p ar at e r e sid en c e The w orship of .

R an ach or a f or m o f t he y ou t hfu l K rish n a was t h e on e

, ,

whi ch had c aptivat e d t he i m agi n at i on o f t he p ri n c e ss ; an d ,

as a r ew ar d for h er d e v o t io n t o t h e divi n e o bj e c t o f h e r

ad or at i on she wa s e v e n tu ally
,
i n a m i r ac ul o u s m an n e r , ,

r e c e iv e d i n t o t he i m ag e o f he r e sp e ci al d e i t y an d t h u s i n , ,

app r op ri at e f ashio n di s app e are d f rom t he w orld

, .

An id e a o f t he t r an sc en d e n t al vi e ws h e ld by t his
l ady (an d by K rish n a R adh a wo r shi pp er s g e n erally ) m ay -

b e g at h e r e d fro m t he f o ll owi n g an e cdot e t old of h er

Wh en Mi rab ai t he R aj p u t p ri n c e ss who l e ft e v erythi n g
, ,

for h er l ov e for K rish n a visit e d t h e r e n own e d R u p ,

G o swam i of B ri n d ab an o n e o f t he chi e f bhak tas of S re e ,

G aur an g a (Ch aitan ya) R u p an asc e tic of t he hi gh e st , ,

o rde r r e f u s e d t o se e her on t he gro u n d th at he was pre

,

cl u d e d from s e ei n g t he f ac e of a wo m an A s a fact Mi rab ai .

,

was a m o st b e au t if u l y o u n g p ri n c e ss an d he h ad n o t m u ch ,

f aith i n her pre t e n si on s H eari n g t he m e ss ag e o f R u p .

,

Mi rab ai re pli e d I s he t he n a m al e ? I f s o he has n o

, ,

a cc e ss t o B ri n d ab an M al e s c an n o t e n te r t h e re an d if
.
, ,

t he g o dd e ss o f Bri n d ab an c om e s t o k n ow o f hi s p re s e n c e ,

sh e will t u r n hi m ou t For d o e s n o t t he gre at G o sw am i

.

kn o w th at t h ere is b u t on e m al e i n e xis t en c e n am e ly m y , ,

b el o v e d K an ai Lal (an en d eari n g n am e o f Krish n a) an d ,

’
t h at al l b e sid e s are fe m al e s ? R u p now un de rs t oo d
t h at Mi r ab ai was r e ally a st aun ch d e v ot e e o f Krish n a ,
” 2
an d so agr ee d t o s e e h e r .

Wh at p e cu li ar religi ou s c u stom s sp ri n g from s u ch

Opi n i o n s t h e foll owi n g e xt r ac t sh o ws :
,

S u k ee bhava — Th e s e m e n di c an t s b orn i n t he we s t ern

-
.
,

1
S ee Pr o fs
e s or Wi ls o n s ’
S k etc h o f the R el i gi o u s S ect s o f t he H i n d u s , pp .

8 5—8 7 .

2
L or d Ga u ra n ga , or S al va t i on f
or All , by S hi sh i r Ku m ar h s
G o e , v ol . i .

I n t ro du c t i on , p . 111
.
(Cal c u t t a ,

1 34
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D
, , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
Thre e di s t i n ct e ffe cts aro s e from t he ci r cu m s t an ce s an d
c on di t i o n s t o whi ch at t en t i o n h as j u st b e en drawn .

1 Th e ris e of s e c t s c om bi ni n g t h e w or ship of R adh a

.
,

t he f a vo uri t e m i s t re ss o f K rish n a wi t h t h at of h e r divi n e

,

—
l o v e r a c om bin at i on t oo n atur ally s u gge stive o f s en su ality ,

an d o n e l e n di n g i t s e lf re adily t o t he e st ablish m e n t o f pr ac

t ic e s c alcu l at e d t o at tract f oll o we r s by t h e i r v e il e d or o p en

i m m orali t y To this cl ass b el on g t he s e c t s of t he Ni m at s
.
,

t h e R adh a Vallab hi s (six t e en t h c e n t u ry ) an d t he Chai t ani t e s

,

( sixt ee n t h c e n t ur y ) o f B e n g al .

2 Th e app e aran c e o f c on cili at or y syn c re t ic Hi n d u

.

s e cts i n te n de d at an y rat e by t h ei r ori gi n al fo u n ders t o

, ,

b ridg e o ver t he d ifferen c e s b e t we en t he re ligi on s o f t he

Hin du s an d t h ei r M u sli m rul e r s— t o r e c on cil e t h e m i n ,

f act . I n thi s c at e g ory m ay b e pl a c e d t he s e ct s f orm e d

i n N or th e rn I n di a by K abi r (sixt e en t h c e n tur y ) an d by
G u ru Nana k (sixt e en t h c en t ur y ) t h ou gh t he l at t e r s e c t was
,

u n d e r s u bs e qu en t spi ri t u al l e ad e r s d e v e l o p e d al o n g v e ry

di ffere n t li n e s from th o s e adop t e d by t h e fo u n d er .

3 The fo rm at i on o f Hi n d u s e c t s o pp o s e d t o id ol atry
.

for e x am pl e t he R am wor shi ppi n g D adu P an t hi s (A D

,
-
. .

—
1550 1600) an d R am S an chis (A D . b oth o f
.

R aj p u t an a .

D ur i n g t he d e c ay of t h e M u h am m ad an an d t he ris e o f
t he B ri t ish p ow er i n I n di a t he p ro c e ss o f s e c t f o rm at i on
,
-

h as b e e n as a c t ive as e v e r . Ne w an d p o t en t f ac t or s s u ch ,

as We s t ern e du c at i on an d aggre ssive Christ i ani t y h ave ,

c om e i n to pl ay i n t he di si n t egrat i on o f i m m e m ori al b e li e fs
an d p r a ctic e s an d t h e f orm at i on o f n e w o n e s N on e o f
.

all t h e m ai n t yp e s o f p o st B u ddhis t Hi n d u is m c an b e s aid

-

t o b e a c t u ally d yi n g o u t ; i n de ed u n d e r t he c om ple t e
,

reli gi o u s f re e d om o f B ri t ish r ul e th e y all a pp e ar t o giv e

sign s o f re n e we d vitali t y . M an y r e ce n t s e ct s are o f a

d e cide dly o bj e ct i on abl e t yp e ; b u t wh e t h er re sp e c t abl e or
,

o t h e rwi s e , n e arly all f u rni sh a c on t i n g en t o f m e n dic an t s

t o swe ll t h e h o r d e s o f t h e p rivil e g e d i t i n e r an t s wh o s warm

o v e r t he c o u n t ry .

Un de r t he n e w c on di t io n s o f life o b t ain i n g i n I n di a ,

a n d i n r e sp on s e t o i n te lle c t u al sti m u li o f E u ro p e an o rig i n ,

th e re h ave re c e n tly app e are d i n ou r own tim e c e rtain

1 36
 S UCCE S S I V E P H A S E S OF M O D E R N H I ND U I S M
s m all t he istic n on idol at rou s s e cts like t he B rahm a s am aj
,
-
,
-
,

wh o s e chie f p ro phe t t he e l o qu e n t Ke shu b Chu n de r S e n

, (
,

was a s udra ; an d t he Arya s am aj f o u n de d by a M ah rat t a -

,

B rah m an n am e d Dayan an d a m an of c o m m an din g t ale n t s ,

an d p e r s o n al i t y The f o r m e r o f t h e s e s e c t s i s we ll k n o wn
i n E u r o p e an d Am e ri c a t hr ou gh i t s f ou n de r an d s o m e ,

of i t s p r om in e n t ap os t le s h avin g visite d t he We s t an d
le ctu re d t h e re ; b u t t he B rah m o c ult h as still a qu it e
in sign ific an t followi n g p erh aps b e c au s e by de n yin g t he , ,

au th ori t y o f t h e Ve da s i t h as p ra c t ic ally d rift e d aw ay

,

fr o m H in du is m : The Arya sam aj t h o u gh h ar dly a -

,

pu re ly re ligiou s s e ct a dh e re d t o t he Ve das as i nterpret ed

, ,

by Da ya n an d ; b u t it f av ou rs c e r t ain p rac t ic e s which are

c e rt ain i n t he c ou rs e o f t i m e t o u n de rm in e i t s m orals
, , ,

t h ou gh p o ssibly th e s e v e r y p ra c t ic e s m i ght p r o v e an a tt r ae
t i on an d h e lp t o sw e ll t he n u m b e rs o f t he n e w s e ct .

I t re m ai n s t o n o te t he fac t t h at p oli t ic al cir cu m stan ce s

an d n at i on al aspi r at i on s h av e a ls o i n r e c e n t tim e s c alle d , ,

in t o b e in g t he d an ge rou s s e ct o f t he Ku k as i n t he Pu n j ab ,

an d hav e le d qu i t e l at e ly t o t h e v e ry s i g n ific an t d e i fi c at i on

i n his o wn c ou n tr y o f t h e M ah ratt a chie ftai n S e v a j i -

( A. D 1
. 62 7 f a m o u s for his s u cc e ss e s ag ain s t t he Ma
h am m ad an s an d fo r t h e e s t abli sh m e n t o f t he p ra ctic al
,

s u pre m acy o f t he M ahrat tas i n S o u t h e rn I n dia .

An d s o t he k al e id osc op e o f I n di an r e lig i ou s s e cts

‘

l
.

p re s e n t s at e ve ry s u cc e e din g p e ri o d n e w grou ps an d c om
himati o n s Fo r e ach s e c t old or n e w i t is an abs olu te
.
, ,

n e c e ssi t y th at i t sh ou ld h av e i t s o wn t e m ple s t o ac c o m m o ,

dat e t he m ate ri al r e p re s e n t at i on s o f i t s ch o s e n divi n it ie s

an d t o l o dg e t he p ri e s t s wh o c on du ct t h e w o rship o f t he

idols an d a cc e p t t he gift s p re s en t e d t o the m M ore o ve r .

,

if t he s e ct is t o sp re ad an d fl ou rish it m u st h ave its o wn ,

m i ssi on arie s wh o i n c on form i t y wi t h i m m e m or i al I n di an

, ,

tradi t i on s sh oul d b e w an de ri n g asc e t ics Nor c ou ld it

, .

h ave b e e n difficu lt at any t i m e t o fi n d s u ch m e n i n, ,

1
Un d er t he au spi s ce o f ce r t a i n d
I n i an p li t i
o c i an s , t he S i v j i f st i v l
a e a

was , fo r t h e fi st
d i C l u t t i Ju 19 02 d w t h
r t im e, ce e lb r at e n a c a n ne , an as e

si f m y si g i fi t S p h s by m s l ul t d t p m t
o c ca on or an n can eec e no ean ca c a e o ro o e

h m i u s l t i s b t w t h ul s d t h u l d i I d i —Vi d
ar on o re a on e e en e r er an e r e n n a . e

Th E gl i shm
e C l ut t
n 26 t h Ju 19 02
an , a c a, ne .

I 37
TH E M Y S T I C S A S C ET I C S AN D , , S A I NTS O F I ND I A
a b u n dan ce owin g t o t he m an y c au s e s p re di sp osin g to w orld
we arin e ss re n u n ciati on an d abste n ti on fr om lab ou r whi ch
, ,

h ave b e e n e ve r p re s e n t i n I n di a .

Hi n du is m is c e rt ain ly ve ry old an d its fou n dati on s li e ,

de e p d own i n t he h e arts o f t he I n di an p e ople b u t e v e n ,

m y b ri e f sk e t ch o f its hi st ory m u st h av e m ad e it ab u n
d au tly cle ar th at c on t rary t o t he p re v aili n g i m p re ssi on
, ,

it h as u n de rg on e v ast ch an ge s i n t he c ou rs e o f tim e an d ,

th at it is s t ill as pl as t ic as o f old b e c au s e n e i t h er n ow n or ,

at an p re vi ou s st ag e s o f its d e v e l op m e n t e sp e ci ally si n c e
y ,

t he B u ddhist re volt h as it b ee n s u bj e ct t o th at org an is e d

,

con tr ol of a c e n tralis e d au tho rit y which cir c u m stan ce s

re n d e re d possibl e i n E u r o p e ; h en ce n ew s e cts h av e aris en ,

an d h av e e xp an d e d i n a way which was n o t t oler ated

by t he stro n g arm o f t he e ccle si as t ic al au th oritie s i n
Christe n d om .

The Ary an n at u re g o ds h av e c e rt ai n ly l on g c e as e d t o
b e w orshipp e d I n dra Ku ve ra Yam a Varu n a G aru d a
.
, , , , ,

an d S o m e h av e lik e wis e fallen i n to t he b ackgrou n d of

o blivi on . I t is t ru e th at t he B rahman s h ave m an age d to
s e c u re lon g c on tin u e d ve n e rati on for t h eir tu te l ary de ity
-

S iv a b u t t h e p e opl e h ave e n th r on e d t wo Ksh at riy a h e r oe s

, ,

K rishn a an d R am a as t he e sp e ci al obj e cts o f t h e ir v e n e ra

,

ti on t he f orm e r for m an y re aso n s b e in g t he m ore p o p u l ar

, ,

o f t h e t wo an d lik e l y
, i n on e asp e ct o r o th e r t o m ai n t ai n
, ,

his pl ac e for age s to c om e i n t he h e ar ts o f t he Hin du s .

With t he strik in g ch an ge s which t he religi on o f t he

Hin du s has ste adily u n d erg on e th e re hav e b ee n c on co m it an t
m u t atio n s i n t he attit u d e o f t he w orshipp e r s tow ar ds t he
u n s e e n p ow e r s .

Within t he p ale o f B rah m an is m t he w orshipp e r re lie d

o n co m plic at e d r ite s an d c e re m o n i e s o n s ac ri fic e s sp e lls , , ,

pilgrim age s an d alm sgi v i n g all t h e s e b e in g c on du cte d by

,
fl

o r u n d e r t h e s t ric t gu id an c e s ol e ly o f t h e B rah m an p r i e st

h o o d wh o p rac t ic ally c on trolle d his de s t in ie s an d w i t h ou t

, ,

wh om t h e re was n o p oss i ble s alvat io n B u ddhis m re j e c t .

,

i n g s u ch s ac e rd o t al aids re qu i re d i t s f o ll o w e rs t o t ru s t t o
,

c o m pl e t e d e t ach m e n t fro m t he world as t he s afe s t an d

s u re s t m e an s o f s e cu ri n g h appi n e ss h e re an d S pirit u al
de live ran ce h ere afte r ; an d B u ddhis m e xp e cte d e ach m an
138
TH E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D
, , S AI N T S
’

OF I NDIA
he re tic al s e cts or n e w m on as t ic orde rs is a m at te r o f his t ory
, .

The f a c t b e in g ad m itte d th a t t he p o li t ic al b ackg rou n d o f

e a ch p e ri o d c an n o t b u t c o l o u r t he m i n ds o f t he p o p u l a c e

an d i t s l e ad e r s i t b e c o m e s a fa c t or o f t o o m u ch i m p or t an c e
,

t o b e p ass e d o v e r e n t i re ly ; hen ce t he pl ac e give n t o i t i n

t he f ore g oi n g b ri e f o u t li n e o f t he ris e an d p ro g re ss o f m o de rn
H i n du is m s e e m s t o n e e d n o sp e ci al j u s t i fic ati on .

A s s u ppl e m en t ary t o t he ab o ve c on den s e d a cc o u n t o f

t he app earan c e from t i m e t o t i m e o f n e w g o ds an d n o ve l
co n ce p t i on s i n Hi n du is m an d o f t he g en e sis o f t he m ore
,

p ro m i n en t s e c t s un d er t he l e ad ership of re ligi o u s re for m e rs ,

t h e i m p ort an t f act m u st n o t b e o v e rl ook e d th at wh at e ver ,

t h e d o c t ri n al vi e ws an d u l t i m at e h o p e s o f s u b t l e t h e ol o gi an s
a n d e arn e s t re ligi o n ists m a h av e b ee n th e r e h av e n e v e r at
y , ,

an p e ri o d b e en w an t i n g m ul t i t u d e s o f H i n d u p eo pl e i n dis
y ,

p o s e d t o u n dergo au s t eriti e s or p er s on al disc om fort s o f an y

ki n d an d ye t n on e t he l e ss d e sirou s of s e cu ri n g a p ro sp e rou s
,

ti m e i n thi s li fe a b e t t e r t i m e i n t he n e xt m un dan e e xist en ce

, ,

an d e v e n t u ally als o e o n s o f bliss i n t h e v ari ou s h e av e n s o f

t h e g o ds . An d t his w orl dl y m i n de d cl ass h as on a cco u n t

-
,

o f its w e alth a n d i n fl u e n c e ,b e en t o o i m p ort an t an d u s e fu l

a f a ct or i n t h e c o m m u n i t y t o b e r e ally slighte d by t h e

proph e ts an d t he p ri e sth o o d howe v er m u ch su ch p rofe ss or s

,

o f re ligi o n m ight r ail ag ai n s t rich e s as s u ch R en un ci at i on

.
,

a s p re ach e d by m o s t f o u n d e r s o f s e c t s o r r e li i o u s if u ni v er
g ,

s ally p rac t is e d c ou ld o bvi ou sly o n ly e n d i n n ati on al e x

,

ti n cti o n ; h e n c e it f oll o ws t h at t o p re cl u de s u ch a dis aste r

, ,

t h ere m u st always b e a cl ass of work ers wh o s e sp e ci al f u n c t i on

i t is to p ro d u c e an d p ro vid e t he n e c e ss ari e s o f life for th e m
s e lve s an d als o for th o s e who abstai ni n g fro m all l ab ou r
, ,

d e sire t o live o n al m s .

An d i n d e e d wh er e v e r r e ligi on re c o m m en ds o r e n j oi n s
,

re n u n ci atio n i t als o p r o cl ai m s wi t h n o u n c e r t ai n v oic e th at

, , ,

—
lib eralit y t o t he p o or m e ani n g m ore p art ic ul arly t he r e
li gi o us p oor — a n d t h e p ri e s t ly cl ass e s will b e u n s t i n t i n gly
re war d e d h e r e an d h e re a f t e r M e n di ci t y o n t he c ol o ss al
.
,

scal e i n whi ch i t has e xi s t e d in I n di a t im e o u t o f m i n d ,

c ould o n ly b e p o ssi bl e o n t he c o n di t i on o f wid e sp re ad an d

wh ol e h e art e d ch arit abl e n e ss on t he p art o f l aym e n o f all
-

cl ass e s he n ce it is n ot s u rp risi n g t o fi n d charity l au de d i n

14 0
 S U CCE S S IV E P H A S E S O F M O D E R N H I ND U I S M
t he Hin du S criptur e s as t he sp e ci al vi rtu e o f thi s pre s en t
age k n o wn t o H i n du s as t he Ka li Yu ga
, .

”
I n t h e Kri t u Yu ga s ays Vri haspat i t he p re vaili n g
, ,

vi rtu e i s d e cl are d t o b e re ligio u s au st e ri t y ; i n t he Tri ta ,

di vi n e kn o wl e dg e ; i n t he Di vapara s acrific e s ; an d i n t h e ,

Ka li Yu ga ch ari t y c om p assi on an d r e strai n t o f p assi on s

, , ,
.

M an u ho we ver b e gi n nin g wi t h t h e u se o f alm os t

, ,

iden tic al words c on sti t u t e s ch ari t y al on e t he s u p re m e

,

vi rt u e i n t he d e ge n e rate Ka li Yu ga
I n t h e Kri ta Yu ga t h e p re vaili n g vi rt u e is d e cl are d t o
b e religi o u s au st e ri t y ; i n t he Tri t a di vi n e kn owl e dg e ; i n ,
’
t he Di vapara s acrifice s i n t he Ka li Yuga ch arity al o n e
,
1
, .

1
Th e H i n d u L a w f
o E n do wm en ts , Tg a or e L aw L e c t ur s
e , 18 9 2, by
d
Pa n i t P r an n a t h S ar a sw at i , MA . . an d B L
. .
, p . 15 (T h ack e r S p i n k
, ,

Co .
, Ca l ut t
c a ) .

14 1
 C H A P TE R V I I I

HI ND U A S CET I C S EC S T AND T H EI R SU BD I V I S I O N S

S E CT I ON I .
-
I n t rodu t y R m
c or e ar k s —Th Mult i pl i i t y f Hi du S t s
e c o n ec

by no m ean s A b m l —J
n or a ai n M k s Y t i s i t v i w d —T h i
on or e n er e e e r

O pi n i on s an d H bi t s
a .

H E R E are as m i ght ,

h ave b ee n e xp e ct e d ,

a l arg e n um b e r o f Hin du
s e cts P r o f e s s o r Wi l s o n .

give s a list o f fo rty thr e e -

o f th e m an d adds th at i n ,

pop ul ar w orks o n t he su b
j c e t n i n e ty S i x h ere si e s are -

o rdi n arily r e cog ni s e d It .

is n ee dl e ss t o say th at e v en
t his fig ure w oul d n ot n e arly
’
re pre se n t
lg t h e a ct u a l n u m
b er e xi s t i n g at t he p re s e n t
tim e Am o n gst t he s e cts .

s t u di e d an d d e scrib e d by
E u rop e an s are so m e whose t ene t s an d p ractice s h ave fil l e d
fi

pi ou s We s t e rn s wi t h s u p e r cili o u s w on de rm en t o r h oly
h orr o r b u t if we are t o b e j u st it m u st b e ad mi t te d t h at
, ,

s u ch ab n orm ali t i e s m ay b e fou n d if l ook e d for i n t he , ,

by p at hs of e ve ry religio n n ot e xc e pti n g t he C h risti an

-
, .

All r e ligi on s i n t he c ou rs e o f t heir e xisten ce give ris e to a

m ul t i tu de o f h e r e tic al s e p arat ists I n t h e c as e o f C hris .

t i ani t y h e r e si e s app eare d fr o m ap o st olic ti m e s an d so m e

, ,

s e cts h ol di n g o pi ni on s e n tire ly s u bve rsiv e o f m orality as

We u n de rstan d it c am e i n to e xiste n c e ve ry e arly i n d ee d
14 2
 T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF INDIA
ever I d o n o t de si re to
,
d eal wi t h t he J ai n syste m i n an y

d e t ai l m ay I i n vite t he
, cqu ai n tan c e
rea der t o m ak e t he a

o f t h e J ai n s m on k s n un s an d l aym e n
fl — b y f ollowi n g m e
, ,

as I d e sc rib e for hi m m y i m p re ssi o n s o f c er t ai n re ligi o u s

m e e ti n gs o f t h at m o s t an ci e n t s e c t h e ld i n t h e au tu m n o f
18 9 8 at whi ch I had t he p rivil e g e of b e i n g p re s e n t
,
.

Jai n M on k s or Yat i s A fe w hi gh s t e ps risi n g fr om

-

t h e m u d o f t h e n arr o w o v e r cr owd e d l ane b r o u gh t m e i n to

a d ar k h all which g av e a cc e ss t o a straight an d ste e p
,

flight o f b rick s t ai rs n o t a yar d wide b e t wee n i t s b oun di n g

walls I a sc e n d e d t h e s e s t airs an d afte r p assi n g t hrou gh
.
, ,

a l o w r e stric t e d d oo r way at t h e t o p f ou n d m ys elf on t he ,

flat t erra c e r o of o f t he m ai n b ui ldi n g— an ordi n ary h o u se

s u ch a s m ay b e f o u n d i n t he n at ive qu ar ter s of an y ci t y
i n U pp er I n di a T hi s flat r oo f h owev er h ad b e en p ar ti ally
.
, ,

b uil t u p on al on g thre e side s t he r o om s th u s f orm e d b ei n g ,

all d oorl e ss an d p r ac t ic ally Op e n t o w ar ds t h e c e n t ral u n

c o ve re d sp ac e The e ffe c t was as if t hree v e ran d ahs op en e d

.

u p on an am pl e c en t ral hyp aet hral c o ur t F or p riva cy an d .

c on ve ni en c e i n a hot t ro pic al cli m at e n othi n g c oul d b e m ore ,

ad m i r a bly c on c e iv e d I n on e o f t he r o om s or v e ran d ahs

.
, ,

whi ch m ight h ave b e e n e igh t e en o r twe nt y fe e t l on g an d e ight

o r t e n f e e t wid e th ere w ere ass e m bl e d a n u m b er o f w e ll to do
,
- -

— —
p ers on s m erch an t s sh opk ee p ers an d o t he rs sitt i n g u pon
, ,

c otto n c arp e t s an d floorcl o t hs A t o n e e n d was a raise d .

pl at f orm m ade o f r ou gh pl an ks an d o n i t was s eate d an ,

e ld e rly J ai n m on k o f s o m e i m p or t an c e with t wo o r t hre e ,

o th e r s i n a tt e n d an c e I had b e e n e xp e c t e d s o a s m all
.
,

c an e ch air c o vere d wi t h a whi te cl ot h had wi t h th ou gh t ful ,

k i n dn e ss b e en pl ac e d for m e n e ar t he s e ni or m o n k o n hi s
, ,

right h an d n e it h e r on t he pl atf orm n or un der t he ro of

, ,

b u t j u st o u tsid e .

The wh ol e o f t he pl atf orm was n ot of u nif orm h e ight ;

t he p ar t wh e re t he p ri n cip al m on k sat was hi gh er by a
fe w i n ch e s t h an t he p art o cc u pi e d by t he j u ni o r s Th ere .

is n o e qu ali t y i n t hi s world ; t h ere n e ve r was an d t he re ,

n e v e r will b e ! N 0 furni t u re c ou ld b e s e en i n t he r oom ,

b u t as a c on c e ssi on t o t h e i m p e ri ou s d e m an ds o f t he n e w
,

age a big f ac e d cl o ck o cc u pi e d a c o n spic u ou s pl ac e on t he

,
-

wall . B ehin d t he m o nk s an d p arti ally co n ceal e d from ,

144
 A S CE TI C S EC T S AN D T H EI R S U B D I V I S I ON S

Vl e W by pl atform on whi ch the y sat was a grou p of

t he ,

wo m en am on gst wh om were at le ast f ort y n un s

,
The .

m on ks p re se n te d a p e c ul i ar app e ar an c e Cl e an S h ave n .
-

were t he y all— he ad face an d e yeb r ows E ach m an wo re

, , .

a s or t of bib o f t h re e or fo u r f o lds o f whi t e cl o t h ; n o t un d er

hi s chi n b u t over hi s nos e and m out h h e ld i n pl ac e by stri n gs

, ,

p ass e d above t h e e ar s an d t i e d b e hi n d t he h e ad Th e s e .

were ch aracterist ic o u t ward sym b ols of t he m o s t i m p ortan t

J ai n ten e ts for l fe i n all its
i

of abs o l u t e
,
re sp e ct

fo rm s , an d are w orn i n o r de r t o o bvi a t e t he possibl e

accid e n t al an d u ni n t en tio n al d e stru ct i on of e ven t he
m i n u te s t o rg an is m s by b e in g dr awn i n t o t he n o s e or
m ou th i n t h e ordi n ar y p r o c e ss o f re spi r ati on H en c e .

th e y are re ally li fe protectors B u t an i n c on ven i en t articl e

.

like t his c ou ld b e u s e d by ordi n ary p e opl e onl y on p u re ly

c e rem on i al o cc asi on s an d n ot always t he n for s everal
, ,

m en i n t he room i n st e ad of w e ari n g th eir bibs c arri e d

, ,

t h e m i n th e i r h an ds A pictur e of a J ain yati app ears at

.

t h e c om m en c e m en t o f t h e ch apte r .

The n un s o f co u r s e h ad th ei r m o u ths an d n o s e s c o v ere d

, , ,

an d we r e b e sid e s s o c o m pl e t e ly v eil e d a s to sh o w littl e o f

, ,

th eir fac e s b u t a p air o f e ye s .

O nl y t he p ri n cip al m on k sp ok e an d f ortun ate ly he ,

wa s by n o m e an s di si n cli n e d t o b e co m m u ni c ative He .

i n tere ste d m e gre at ly by hi s s er e n e yet p ath e tic gravity

an d a g e n tl e di gni t y whi ch s e e m e d t o p e r v ade his e v e r y

word an d m ov em en t H e s at cro ss l e gge d on t he pl at form

.
-
,

cl o th e d i n t wo white c ott on sh e e t s— on e ro u n d his l oin s

an d t h e o t h e r ab ou t hi s sh oul d e r s N o b eads b an gl e s or .
, ,

arm l e t s n or m arks o f an ki nd i t h o m t d dis

, y e e r r n a en e
, or

figu re d hi s p er son Th e t wo c ott on sh e e t s w er e as h e

.
,

t old m e all t h e cl oth e s h e m igh t w e ar or poss e ss with t he

, ,

e xc e p t i on o f ha lf a b l an k e t i n t he wi n t e r t i m e M an y .

o t h e r i n t ere sti n g p ar tic u l ar s ab o u t hi s ord er did t h e v e n e r

abl e
y a t i c o m m un ic a te t o m e ; a n d t ho u gh th e s e m a y ,

b e fo un d i n E u r o p e an b o o ks on J ai ni s m I wa s pl e as e d t o ,

re c e iv e th e m fr om hi m an d I r e p r o d u c e t h e m h e r e
, .

D uri n g t he fo u r m on ths o f t he r ain y s eas on kn own as

t he cham as a t h e J ai n m o n k m ay s e e k sh e l t er an d r e p o s e
,

i n a dhar m sala o f his o rd er whi ch is a gu e st h ous e ,

-

K 14 5
TH E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D
, , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
e s t ablish e d by l ay J ai n s for t he a ccom m o datio n of t he
m on ks ; b u t for e ight m o n t hs i n e v e ry y e ar he m u s t
w an de r o ve r t he c ou n try b are fo ot e d an d b ar eh eade d as ,

fri ars o f hi s o rder h ave do n e si n ce at l e as t fi v e h u n dr e d

ye ar s b e f ore t he bi rt h o f Ch ris t H e m ay on n o a cc o un t
.

av ail hi m s e lf o f an y m o d e o f c on v e y an c e wh e th e r h ors e , ,

c arri age b o at or railway c ar ; n or m ay he e v er sl ee p i n a

, ,

b ed . An d y e ar aft er ye ar t h e y w an d e r ab o u t t h e s e ge n t l e ,

m on ks wi t h ou t s t aff or scri p arm e d on ly wi t h s of t b e s om s

, ,

o f co t to n th re ads t o t e n d erly b r u sh aw ay m i n u t e i n s e c t s

t h at m i ght h app e n to b e i n d an g e r of d e stru cti on un d e r

t h e p re ss u re o f t h eir p er s on s wh e n e v er f atig u e n e c e ssit at e s
s om e r e s t for t hei r weari e d lim bs M an y o f t h e s e b e s om s
.

w ere i n e vide n c e am on gst t he au di en c e an d e ach m on k ,

p re s en t was p ro vide d with o n e for hi s o wn e sp e ci al u se .

The o nl y o t h e r p ro p erty an y o f t h e s e m e n m ay poss e ss

is a wo o d en alm s b owl i n which t o re c eive f o od
-
M on ks .

wh o c an r e ad m ay c arry ab ou t wi t h t h e m t h ei r s ac r e d
b ooks i n t he Prakr i t ch arac t e r S om e of th e s e b o oks w ere
.

sho wn t o m e b e au t ifu l sp e cim en s o f c aligraphy all i n

, ,

d e t ach e d l e ave s p ro te c t e d by a c ou pl e o f thi n wo ode n

b oards . M e tal m u s t o n n o a cc oun t b e t ou ch e d by t he
m onk s e xc ept p erh aps i n t he f orm o f a n ee dl e whi ch m ay
, ,

b e b orr owe d wh en r e qui r e d b u t m u st b e re tu rn e d t he s am e

,

d ay b e fo re t he s u n g oe s d o wn .

S i n c e t he m o s t i m p o r t an t g ui di n g p ri n cipl e o f th e ir
liv e s is t o av oid hur t in g l e ave al on e killi n g an y livi n g
, ,

t hi n g i t is o bvi ou s th at t h e y d o n ot p ar t ake o f fl e sh m e at
,

o f an k i n d wh at e v e r ; b ut t h e y c rr y t h ei r s e lf d e ni al
y a -

furth er fo r th e y n e v e r t aste fru i t an d dri n k n o wi n e o f any

,

s or t
. F r om s u n s e t t o s u nris e t h e y m u s t o n n o p re t e xt ,

wh at e ver e at or dri n k an ythi n g J ai n s adhus sh ou ld n e ve r

, .

b ath e for if th e y draw wat er fr o m t an k or we ll th ey are

,

s ur e t o b e t he c au s e of deat h or s u ffe ri n g to livi n g c re at ur e s .

Th e y m ay n o t dri n k an y w ater b u t wh at has b e en u s e d for

c u li n ary p u r p o s e s : for e x am pl e wat e r i n which ric e or
,

ve ge t abl e s h ave b e e n b oil e d o r warm wat e r u s e d for rin si n g

,

ou t co o kin g p o t s -
S uch w a t e r was n o t dr awn for the m or
.
,

st ore d for them ; i t had b een us ed alre ady s o t he ac t of ,

dri n kin g it c ou ld bri n g n o si n to th em The y m ay e ven .

14 6
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF INDI A
I t is ,
as t he o ld m onk
xpl ain e d t o m e o nly to e sc ap e
e ,

re bi rt h — fo r t he J ai n b eli e v e s i n t h e tran s m igr ati o n of

—
s ou ls an d t o at t ain e t e rn al res t .

”
I t is s i n i n thi s life s aid t he yat i , an d t he c on se ,

u e n c es o f si n i n p r e vio u s e xi s t en c e s t h at cl o g an d di sfig u r e
q
t h e p u re spi ri t Th e s e h av e t o b e got ri d of if t h e s oul is
.

”
t o b e se t f ree S u ppos e
. he we n t o n , we h av e a po t ,

o f i m p u r e b u t t er h ow d o we p u rify it h ow d o we s e p arat e ,

e xt ran eou s stu ff f r om t h e p ur e s u bs t an c e ? We he at t he

p ot w hi ch cont ai n s i t an d t h e n t he
, gh ee an d t h e i m p u ri t i e s

p art as un der t h e l at te r f alli n g to t he b o t t om of t he ve ss e l

, .

S o we m u s t h e at (i e afflic t ) t h e body which is t he po t

. .
,

c on tai ni n g b o t h t he p u re spi ri t an d t he att en d an t i m p uriti e s ,

till on t he fu rn ace o f asc eticis m on e is c om pl e te ly s ep arat e d

from t he o t her H e n ce our f asti n gs an d o u r s e lf d eni als
.
-
,

all t o s e c u re e x e m ptio n f ro m f u tu re r ebirths an d t o at t ai n

”
bl e ss e d n arvana An d as he s aid thi s t h e s ere n i t y o f
.
,
’
t he ol d m o n k s c o un t e n an c e an d his pl acid e ye s s e e m e d
a n ass u r an c e t h at h e hi m s e lf was w ell o n t h e wa t o t he
y
l on ge d for g oal
-
.

A ft er c ou rte ou sly an swerin g m y m an y qu e sti on s t h e ,

o ld m an r e ad t o t he a ss em bly s om e s e l e c t i on s f ro m t he
J ai n s acred b o oks an d e xp ou n de d t he s am e H e th e n .

add re ss e d his a u di e n c e a n d i n t h e c ou r s e o f hi s s e rm o n
,

pl ai n ly i n di c at e d his di sb eli e f i n t he e xis t en c e o f Go d A .

disc u ssi on afterw ards aros e b e t w e en hi m an d a p an dit who

a cco m p ani e d m e wi t h as m igh t h ave b e en e xp e cte d a
, , ,

re s u ltle ss displ ay o f S an sk rit l e arn i n g an d s u b t l e di al e c t ics .

I am qu i t e s ur e t h at t h e un c om p ro mi si n g a th e is m o f
t he yat i was n ot sh are d by all his h earer s ; for a d ay o r
t wo afte rw ards a J ai n l aym an wh o h ad b e en p re s e n t a t ,

t he m e e t i n g c am e t o m e an d e xpl ai n e d Wh at h e an d
'

, ,

p rob ably a m aj ority o f t he s e ct u n de rs t oo d t o b e t he ,

fu n c t i on s o f Go d i n t he u ni vers e H e s aid t h at t he .

Cr e at or (e vide n tly acce p t i n g His e xist e n c e ) was by n o

m e an s t he c au s e o f or r e sp on sibl e for t h e wi ck e dn e ss an d
s u fferi n g i n t his w orld E a ch i n dividu al s ou l r e c eive d t he
.

re w ar d o r p u n ish m e n t d u e t o i t s o wn a cts Go d t hrou gh .

His s acre d law w arn e d all m en again st t he co n s e qu en c e s of

e vil doi n
-
g an
, d show e d th e m t h e right way bu t H 6 d id n ot

14 8
 A S CE T I C S EC T S A ND TH EIR S U B D I VI S I O N S

i nt erfer e i n the afiai rs of the world Ye t t he m ore H e an d .

1

Hi s c om m an dm e n ts we re rem e m b e re d t he b e tt e r for e ach

’
s e p arate s oul I t was like this : A m an s h ou s e is on fi re
.
,

an d he a sl e e p . A
wak e n s hi m u p st ran ge r c om e s an d .

I t is for t he o wn e r n o w t o se e t o t he s afe t y o f hi s own

’
p rop er ty S o t h rou gh life it is G o d s warni n g voic e i n t he
.

s acre d b o o ks t h at i n form s u s th at ou r ho u s e i s on fi re E ach .

m an m u s t h o we v er l o ok t o his own s afe ty an d co m f ort

, , ,

h ere an d h ere afte r an d e xp e ct n o di vi n e i nterposi ti on i n ,

hi s f avo ur .

R e ligi on am on gst Jai n s wh o acc e p t th e s e vi ews w ou ld

t h ere f o re s e em t o e xcl u d e t he id e a o f p ray er for h elp It .

wou ld resolv e i t s elf i n to a con st an t re colle ct i on of t he

di vi n e c om m an ds an d warni n gs an d I h ave n o d o u b t o f , , ,

app re ci atio n o f t he g o o d n e ss o f Go d i n h avi n g giv e n th e s e

warn i n gs for t he b en e fi t o f short sigh t e d m ort als i n t h ei r -

e ar t hly pilgri m ag e S t ill as fe w m en w oul d b e c on t e n t

.
,

wi t h su ch a re li gi on t he Jain s h ave c om e t o re gard s om e ,

twen t y fou r of t h e ir own s ain ts practic ally as p ri n cip al

- 2

dei t i e s an d n owadays m an y p erh aps t h e m aj or p ort ion

, ,

o f t he s e c t ven e rate als o t he high er go ds of t he Hin du

,

P an th e o n .

Whate ver p oi n t of v i e w we m ay t ake i t is s t ill a ,

m att e r for w o n d e r t h at t he i m p u ls e whi ch se t t h e J ai n

s adhu s i n m o t io n h as l ast e d for fi v e an d tw en ty c e n t uri e s ;
’

- -

t h at yat i s b ar e h ead e d an d b are f oo t e d n ak e d or with j u st

, , ,

t wo c o tt on she e ts to c o ver th e m h ave w an de re d t hrou gh ,

I n di a for e ight m on ths e very ye ar for t wo or t hre e

t h ou s an d ye ar s n ot s e ld om witho u t an y re li an c e u p on or
,

e v en b e li e f i n Go d m or tifyi n g t he fr ail fl e sh an d all this , ,

i n o rd e r t o e n s ure a c e ss at i on of t he e vils of re birt h—wan de r

i n g c e as e l e ssly t o att ai n re st an d fin al an ni hi l at i on wan de r
i n g bl am e l e ssly gen eratio n aft e r g en erati on whi le dyn asti e s
, ,

1
It is n ot wi t h u t
h t i t hi s t w t i t ho t u y t h w ll
i n t e r es t t a n en e c en r e e

k w su g
no n Si H r y Th m ps h
e on , ft t w t y y s f st u dy
r enr o on , as , a er en e ar o ,

a rriv d t m u h th s m
e a l u si s m y B h b f i ds i t h t t h
c e a e c on c on as a ra r en , v z . a e

o m is i
n t d m ip t
c en t P w
an whi h u l s t h u i v s d
o n o en ti t f o er c r e e n er e o es n o n er ere

i th
n fi i
e a f m k i d O ly t h g t m d
a rs o an s u g g s fu t h s t i ll
n . n e re a o e rn r e on oe r er ,

a ffi m i g t h t t h O m i p t t h l ft m k i d wi th t th g i d
r n a e n
f y o en as e an n ou e u an ce o an

r evel a t i o n wha tever .

- The Un k n own Go d (Fr e d e r i c k Warn e :! Co .
,
2
K w no n as Ji n s or Ti rt han k aras
a .

I 49
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E TI C S , , A ND S AI N T S O F . I NDIA
h ave co m e an d go n e and n atio n s have ris en de c aye d an d
, , ,

vanish e d .

An d whi l e t h e m e n h ave t ak en u p t he t ask of wo rki n g

,

ou t th ei r o wn e m an cip ati on t he w om e n h ave n o t b e e n

,

b ackward i n t he s am e c au s e b u t sin c e t i m e s i m m e m ori al

,

h a v e always i n c ou pl e s wan dere d like t he m on ks o ver t he

, ,

c o un t ry re sti n g lik e th em du ri n g t he chom o sa i n t he n u n n eri e s

,

o f t he ir s e c t .M an y o f t he wo m en who j oi n t his m e n di
c an t orde r h ave n o d ou bt don e so i n m iddle age di si llu ,

s i o n e d an d ti re d o f lif e B u t qu i t e yo u n g gir ls als o f oll ow

.

t he p ath o f asc e ticis m For e x am pl e I l e arn e d on t he

.
, ,

v e ry b e st au thority o f a m arri e d gi rl o f o n ly sixte e n ye ar s

,
‘

o f age ,
wh o h avi n g a s t r o n g re ligio u s b e n t t old he r
, ,

hu sb an d a sho rt t i m e p re vi ou sly t h at h en c e fort h he w ou ld

—
b e to her as a br other a v e r y signi fican t e xp re ssio n i n t h e
m o u t h o f an I n di an w om an Her hu sb an d a cc e pt e d he r
.

d e cisi on an d with her con s en t arran ge d a s e co n d m arri age

,
.

When t he n ew wife arrive d t he fi rst on e p re p are d t o , ,

r e n ou n ce t he v an iti e s o f t hi s lif e s old her j e wels to t he ,

val u e o f t wo th ou s an d ru p e e s g av e a fe ast an d p re s e n ts t o
,

t he B rahm an s an d ad o pti n g t he life o f a P u n yn i l e ft he r

’

, , ,

h om e for e ver The c e re m on y of e n t e rin g t he asce t ic

.

o rder was at t en d e d with a g o od d e al o f p e r so n al i n

c on ve ni en c e The gi rl s l u xu ri an t b l ack h ai r had to b e
.
’

pl u ck e d ou t by t he r oots ; n o t a ve stige o f e ye brow or

e y e l ash was l e ft A fte r that she ti e d a cl oth ove r he r
.
,

m o u th t o p re v en t t he possibl e d e str u cti on o f m i n u te

org ani s m s an d arm e d wi t h a b es om o f c ott on thr eads
, , ,

s t art e d with s om e oth e rs of her se x on a ro u n d o f pil gri m

ag e s or w an d e ri n gs .

I h ave o fte n m e t the s e n u n s on t he r o ad an d o n ce ,

qui te fift y of th e m m arsh all e d i n o rder Th ey m u st h av e .

b ee n c om i n g from or re tu rni n g t o a n un ne ry i n t he n eigh

b ourh oo d .

S om e t i m e s t he d o pti on o f t he m on as t ic life is m ade

a

t h e occ asi o n for a sp e ci al d e m o n str at i on which alw ays ,

i n cl u de s a p r o c e ssi on The p o s t ul an t or p erh aps m ore

.
,

p rop e rly t he n ovi ce is de ck e d o u t i n t h e b e s t of cl ot h e s

,

an d t h e c o stli e s t j e w e ls an d c arri e d th rou gh t he t own

,

i n wh ate v er m od e o f co n v e yan c e h e o r she m ay s el e ct .

1 50
 A S CE T I C S E CT S AN D TH E I R S U B D IV I S I O N S

When o u n d is m ade t he c an didat e is tak en t o s om e

t he r ,

a pp oi n t e d pl ace an d th e r e ,
a fte r b e i n g dis rob e d an d cl ad
,

i n t he si m pl e v est m e n ts o f t h e or der t ak e s t h e p r e scrib e d ,

v ows an d re ce ive s fr om t he s e ni or sadhu pre s en t t he

,

m an tra o f t h e o rd e r The ill u str at i on (Fi g 8 ) re p re s e n t s

. .

s u ch a p ro ce ssi on i n L u dhi an a o n t h e o cc asi on o f a Gri hasti

w om an b e c om i n g a Jai n n u n or sadhu i
The J ai n s ar e di v ide d i n t o t wo p ri n cip al su b s e cts -

o n e c all e d S wet am bara (whi t e ro b e d ) t he o t h e r Di gam bara

-
,

( sky cl a d-— i e n ak e d ) A.
yati or m . o n k o f t h e l at t er d e

n o m i n at i on d oe s n o t at t ach an p artic ul ar i m p or t an ce t o
y
t h e cham ar (t he b es om ) or t he pu tti k a (m o u th v eil ) an d is ,

n ot p e rm it t e d t o c arr y an al m s b o wl H e m u s t re c eiv e -
.

hi s f o o d i n t h e p al m o f hi s h an d 1
The S wetarn bari s an d .

t h e Di gam bar i s are ea ch s u bdivid e d i n to fo u r o rde rs The .

J ai n l ai t y b e l on g alm ost e xcl u sively t o t he tradi n g c om

m un i t y an d t he B ani ya c ast e .

H i n du Ca t es an d S ects by J o g e n dr a Na t h Bh at t ach a j e e M A
1
s ,
r , . .
,

D L pp 553 —55 (Cal c u t t a

. .
, .
,
 C H A P TE R V I I I — c on ti n n eol

A S CETI C S EC S T AND T H EI R SU BD I V I S I O N S

S E CT I ON 11 — Pr i n c i
. p l H i d u S t s S i v s V i sh v s
a n ec : a a , a na a , an d S ik hs
P ar t i ul s
c g di g S y si s D d i s P m h
ar re ar n B an a , an , ar a a a n s as , r a h m a c h ar i s ,

Li n ga i t d A gh
s , an i s or .

H E Hi n du asc e tic s e cts whi ch

m ak e u p t h e gr e at b ul k o f t he
wan d eri n g s adhu s o f I n di a ,

m o re p articul arl y N o rth e rn

In di a an d whi ch I p rop os e
,

to n otic e as typic al e x am pl e s ,

are t h e f oll o wi n g

S ai vas ,
or w o r shipp e rs of

S iva

1 S an yasis
.

2 . D an di s
of S an k ar ach arya l
f oll owers
3 P aram ahan s as
.

4 . B rahm ach ari s

5 Li n gai t s ,
. foll owe rs of B as ava .

6 . A gh oris .

7 . Yo gis .

Va i shn avas worshipp ers o f Vishn u

, or

1 S ri Vaish n avas f oll o we r s o f R am an u j a

.
, .

2 Madh av as f oll ow e rs o f Madhav ach arya

.
, .

3 R am an an dis f o ll ow er s o f R am an an d
.
, .

4 K abi r Pan t hi s f oll o we rs o f K ab i r

.
, .

5 B allav ach aryas f oll o we r s o f B all av ac harya

.
, .

6 Ch ai t an i t es f o ll o wers o f C h ai t an ya
.
, .

1
A c h a ya m e an s t each er or m o e p p ly r li g i ou s t ea h er
r , r ro er e c .

I 52
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
a vari e ty of
s elf i n fli c t e d tort u re s s u ch as p assi n g t hi ck
-
,

m e t al ske w er s t hr o u gh th ei r t o n gu e s o r t h e fl e sh o f the i r
arm s o r sid e s .

S u ch f ac t s p rov e c on cl u sive ly t he d e m o c rat ic ch aract e r

o f t he o rd e r an d its f r e e d o m f r o m t he c ast e pr e j u di c e s o f

Hi n dui sm Gran t i n g thi s it was still qu i t e s t art li n g t o

.
,

re ad i n t he Pi one e r of A ll ah ab ad e arl y i n 18 9 9 th at an
‘

, ,

e ld e rly ,
e d u c at e d an d w e ll t o d o A m e ric an l ady o f F re n ch
,
- -

e x t ra c t i o n h ad c o m e t o I n di a as a san as i n un d e r t he n am e
y
o f S wam i Ab ha an d a h avi n g b e e n ad m it t e d t o t he P u ri
y ,

su b o rd er by S wami Vi v i k an an d a
-
t he B e n g ali sadhu who ,

w en t t o t he Co n gre ss o f R e ligi on s at Chi c ago as t he

re p r e s e n t ativ e o f t he Hi n d u s o f I n di a The l ady i t w oul d .
,

app e ar ,
had s t u di e d t he U p ani sh ads an d b e en co n ve rt e d
t o t he p an t h e istic d o ctri n e s o f t he Ve d an t a phi l o s o phy .

”
He r o rigi n al i n t en t i o n s ays t he P i on eer
,
was t o b e g ,

h er way throu gh I n di a S he had a b ask e t for t he p u rp o s e

.

i n stead o f t he c u st om ary bowl B u t she h as b e en per .

su ade d t o r e li n qui sh thi s i n te n tio n S h e wear s a high .

n e ck e d d re ss o f t he pl ai ne st possibl e c u t an d o f a y ellow
”
c ol our .

All S anyasi s m ay e at toge th er an d t he m aj ority acc ep t ,

foo d from an y Hi n du Th e y m ay n ot part ak e o f fl e sh.

m e at or spi ri t s The y ru b ashe s over th ei r bodi e s we ar

.
,

s al m o n c ol ou re d rob e s and a t iger ski n wh en th ey c an get

-
,

one . A bo u t s e ct m arks on t he forehead t hey affe ct i n

di ffe ren c e t ho u gh s om e p ai n t an eye lik e t he c en t ral e ye
, ,

o f S iv a j u st ab o ve t he n o s e
, A ll we ar a s a dist i n g uishi n g
.
,

b adge a n e ckl ac e o f ru drak sha b erri e s or f aili n g t h at at

, , , ,

l eas t o n e su ch b erry The h air o f the ir h e ads an d the ir

.
,

b eards als o are all owe d t o gr ow fre ely I n th e ir h an ds

, .

the y u su ally c arry a c on ch o r a p air o f i ro n t on gs—t he ,

l atter a ver y u s e ful ar ticl e i n de e d ; for wh en e ver th ey are

s e at e d th e y light a fi re an d p r oce e d to s m oke ganj a 1
.

S anyasi s p oi n te dl y disc ar d t h o s e o u twar d sym b ols of

Hi d s
n ui m — t h e i eneu (s ac re d th re ad ) an d t h e cha n di o r ,

shi k ha , a t u ft o f h ai r ordi n arily w orn o n t h e c r o wn o f

t he h e ad .

Wh en after a p eriod of p rob ati on t he p o st ul an t wishe s

, ,

Th d ri e d h e m p pl an t u s d for s m ok i n g l i k e t o ba c c o
1
e -
, e .

1 54
 T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I CS AND, , S A I NTS O F I ND I A

S i x Com m an dments .

1 L e a ve
. you r ab o de on ly for t he s ak e of b eggi n g
n e c e ss ary f o o d .

2 . S ay your p ray e r s e ve ry d ay .

3 . B at h e e very d ay .

4 . C on t em pl ate daily t he like n e ss or i m age o f S iva .

5 . P rac t is e p u rity an d cl e anli n e ss .

6 . Pe r fo rm t he fo rm al w orshi p o f t he gods .

Wh en d eath o ve rt ake s hi m t he S an yas i

is b u ri e d i n a
grave lik e a pit with a sid e re c e p t acl e i n whi ch t he b ody
,

is m ade t o sit u p faci n g e ast o r n ort h e as t wi t h i t s arm s -

s u pp ort e d on a w o o d en r e s t (bgragu n ) S an yas i s h ave n o .

af t e r d e ath o r b u ri al c e re m o n i e s
-
n o shradh c e r e m on i e s lik e
,

o rdi n ar y Hi n d u s t h e s e h avi n g b een p e rf orm e d wh e n t he

,

S an yasi was fin ally ad mi tt e d t o t he o rd er ; an d e ve n

t h e f o rm al f e asts whi ch are given o n s u ch o cc a si ons by
t he o t h er asc e t ic s e ct s s u ch as B ai ragi s an d Yogi s are
, ,

o m i t te d .

On e m orni n g at abo u t t e n o cl o ck I o v e rt o ok a stran g e

’

p ro c e ssi on stran ge e v
-
en for n di —
I a we n di n g its way slowly
al o n g t h e L ah ore M all b e twe e n t he Chi e f C our t an d t h e

Cathe dral A l ou d b rass b an d le d t he way disco ursi n g

.
,

m u sic— E uro p e an m us ic t oo ; fo r it was n o t diffic ul t t o

,

m ake o u t t he tun e o f t he on c e p op u l ar s on g -

Ju s t b fo e re t heb t tl
a e, m ot h er ,

I was t i nk i n h g m st o of you .
”

B ehi n d t he m u sici an s c am e som e thr e e or f ou r m e n c arryi n g

s m oki n g c en s ers o f swe e t i n c en s e Th e y we re m archi n g .

i n f ron t of a litt e r b orn e o n t h e sh ou ld e r s of a fe w m e n .

I t was a ve ry u n u su al lookin g lit t er t he fr on t b ei n g i n

-
,

t he f o rm o f a m ore squ e ar ch The re was a cloth h oo d.

o v e r i t b u t i t was o p e n o n th re e sid e s s o t h at t h e occ u p an t

, ,

c oul d b e pl ai nl y s e en e xc e p t from b ehi n d An d t he o ccu p an t .

was a d e ad sa dhu si t t i n g i n v ac an t c o n t e m pl at i on wi t h
,

his l e gs c ross e d i n t h e app ro ve d m an n e r H e was t i e d .

t o t h e u p ri ght b a ck o f t h e l i t t e r an d was c o v er e d wi t h
s t ri n gs o f fl owe rs which f orm e d a s ort o f fl oral ve il o ver
,

his fac e b u t c ou ld n ot c on c e al t he hi de o u sn e ss of de ath ,

1 56
 A S CE T I C S EC T S AND TH E I R S U B D I VI S I O N S

as t he co n scio u s h ead rolle d helple ssly fro m side t o side

un ,

k ee pi n g ti m e i n a s ort of gro te squ e m o cke ry t o t he m e as ur e d

, ,

s t e p o f t he b e arers as th e y m ar ch e d sl owly alon g t he wid e

road .

On on e side o f t he li t te r was a hi re d l an dau wi t h s o m e

re sp e c t ably dr e ss e d n ative s wh o m ay o r m ay n o t h av e
,

b een p art o f t h e p ro c e ssi on an d on t he o th er a slove nl y , ,

p olic em an i n ye ll ow t ro u s er s an d bl u e tu n ic l olli n g i n
a on e h or s e c arri ag e k n o wn a s an ehlca
-
A littl e c o n f u s ed .

c ro wd i n which t he fe m al e e l e m e n t p re do m i n ate d b r ou gh t
, ,

t h e r e ar ; whil e a n u m b e r o f u r chi n s s t i m u l at e d by
u
p ,

c uri osi ty a cc om p ani e d t he co rtege an d p oi n t e d ou t t he

,

de ad m an t o on e an othe r I asc e r tai n e d t h at t he p ar t y .

was on i t s way t o a s e le cte d spot wh e re t h e s adhu a S an yas i , ,

w o u ld b e b uri e d i n a cir cul ar grave sitt in g u p right an d ,

c o ve re d o ver wit h s al t This f u n e ral p ro ce ssi on b rou ght

.

t o m y re c oll e cti on a si m il ar o n e I h ad s e e n m an y y e ars

pre vi ou sly at R aj am u n dry i n t he Madra s Preside n cy , .

On t h at occ asi on t h e de ad s adhu was pl ac e d i n a sitt i n g

p osit i on i n his grave a qu an t i t y o f s alt was pile d u p ab o u t
,

hi m an d e arth t hrown i n t ill t he body was n early c o ve re d u p

, .

The n u p on t he t op of t he sh aven h e ad still e xpos e d to ,

vi ew a l arge nu m b er of c o c oan u t s we re b roken i n o rd er

,

t o crack t he sk ul l an d affor d t h e i m p ris on e d s ou l a m e an s

o f e xit fr o m t h e n o w u s e l e ss body The fragm en t s of t he .

c oc o an u ts whi ch had b e en u s e d for t he lib erat io n of t he

de ad m an s s oul were I re m e m b er e age rly sou ght for by
’
, ,

t he bys t an d e r s 1
.

I t sh ou ld b e m e n t i on e d t h at t he p ractic e of b u ri al
rat h er t h an cre m at io n i n t he c as e o f t h e s e an d c er t ai n
,

o t h er s ad hus is du e t o t he s en t im en t t h at t he b odi e s o f
,

s u ch sain t e d per s on age s d o n o t n e e d t o b e p u rifie d by fi re .

N e arly e v e ry s adhu h owe ve r ign oran t he m ay b e o f

,

l et ters or howe ve r r e g ardl e ss i n p ra ct ic e o f wh at are u s u ally

,

he ld as t he e ss en t i als o f a m oral life is aware o f an d o n , , ,

o cc asi on c an p ar ad e wis e m axi m s

, i n s t ru ct ive stori e s an d , ,

pit hy p arab le s i n t e n de d t o p oi n t t he way t o virt u e or di s

s u ade from vic e Am on gs t S anyas i s t he re is n et foun d
.

1
Th e fu e al c e r e m on i e s o f a B ah m n S a yas i a
n r d e s cr i b e d i n p t
r a n re ar 11 .

c h a p xxx i o f t h e A bb é Du b oi s H i n d u M an ners Cus tom s and Cerem on i es

’
. v .
, , .

I S7
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A IN T S OF I ND I A
d arth o f s u ch e thi c al i d s as fo r e x am pl e t he ao
an
y e
gu e ; , ,

c all e d twen ty fou r upa gu rus or a ssi stant gu rus o f t he

-

fam ou s m u n i Dat t at re ya whi ch I l e arn e d fro m t he m ou th

,

o f a S a n as i d which lth gh q u ai n t an d ar tl e ss s ee m
y an ,
a ou , ,

s u ffici e n tly i n tere sti n g and ch aracte ris t ic for p ar ti al re pro

d u ctio n h ere .

Ou t of t he twe n ty four u pa guru s I s el e ct t he follow

-

1 The Earth
.
— Th e l e ss on to b e l e arne d from s gu ru t hi
is p at i en t e n duran c e A s t he u n c om pl ai ni n g e arth s u ffe r s
.

i n j uri e s an d affro nt s with o u t an y sign o f re s e n t m en t so ,

sh ou ld t he sadhu b e u n p ert urb e d by an y ill t re atm en t an d -

i n di gni t i e s he m ay b e s u bj e ct e d t o .

2 The H eavens (S log)

.
— I n t o t he s eren e sky asc en d t h e
.

gl ad s oun ds o f m i r th t he fie rc e r o ar o f b a t tl e t he b e at in g
, ,

o f d ru m s an d t h e cl a sh o f sw o rds ; b u t i t re t ai n s n on e o f
,

t h em : t he sadhu i n t h e m ids t o f t he t u rm oil o f life sh o u ld

, , ,

i n like m an n e r r e tai n n o i m p re ssio n o f t h e e ve n t s ab o u t hi m

, ,

b e th e y j o you s o r m o u rn fu l .

3 F i re — A s fl am e always t e n ds to ri s e e ve n if t he
.
,

light e d t or ch b e re ve rt e d so sho u ld t he aspirat i on s of t he

,

s adhu always b e t o high er t hi n gs ; an d as t he p ur e fl am e

fe e ds i n discri m i n at e ly on all s orts of fu el t he livi n g ti m b e r ,

o f t h e f o re st as w e ll as t h e r e f u s e o f t he d u n g h e ap s o ou gh t -
,

t h e s adhu t o a cc e p t willi n gly wh at e ver f ood is given t o

hi m n e ve r r e fle cti n g u p on its v al u e n or wh e t h e r it is st al e
, ,

o r f r e sh .

4 The P i geon s — Dat t at reya on c e w atch e d a p ai r of

. .

pige on s b u ild a n e s t an d re ar a c o u pl e o f yo un g on e s Wh e n .

t he yo u n g w ere t ol er ably gr own t h e y u s e d t o m ak e sh o r t

e xc ur si o n s on t h e wi n g b u t on e d ay w e re e n s n are d by a
,

fowl e r The m o th e r bi rd re t u rni n g saw t he fat e of her

.

b rood an d i n her an xi et y t o h elp th e m got c au ght in

,
‘

t he n e t h e r s elf H e r m at e co m i n g o n t h e p ai n ful sc e ne
.
, ,

l o s t c om m an d o f hi m s elf an d s ee m e d f rom his e xcite d ,

flu t t e ri n gs as if h e t oo wo u ld ge t e n s n are d an d s o i t s o o n ,

h app en e d .

Now t his i n cid e n t sh o u ld b e a wa rn i n g t o t he s a dhu

,

as t o wh at he s h o u ld n ot d o Fam ily t i e s h o we ver te n de r.

, ,

are o n ly tran si en t an d sho ul d n o t affe ct hi m

, l es t th ey ,

1 58
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
i n to their e ars for a d ay or t wo to b ri n g th em b ack t o life ,

ag ai n
1
Wh at a l e ss on for t he sadhu
. th ou ght D atta
t re ya S ur e ly he sh o u ld by p e rsis t e n t t e a chi n g b ri n g
.
, ,

m e n who are d ead i n si n an d w o rldli ne ss b a ck to God an d

spi ri t u al lif e .

2 TH E
. D AND I S .

T hi s s e ct is re cru i t e d e xcl u sive ly fro m t he B rah m an

c as t e ye t i t disc ards t he s ac re d t h re ad I t de rive s its n am e
,
.

from t he dan da or staff whi ch e ach m e m b er is re q ui re d , ,

t o c arry .

Th e o ret ic ally dandi wallahs sh ou ld n ot s e tt le d o wn i n

,

one pl ac e for a s i n gle d ay an d e v en t he dan da sho ul d n o t ,

b e all o we d t o rest b u t sh o u ld b e stu ck e re c t i n t he gr o u n d

,

o r b e s u sp e n d e d fr o m a tre e
2
I n p r ac t ic e how e ve r t h e s e .
, ,

r ul e s ar e n e gl e ct e d an d l ar g e n u m b er s of dandi s are t o b e,

fo u n d at an y t i m e i n B en are s wh ere an i m po rtan t ghat ,

o r b at hi n g pl ac e on t h e G an g e s is n am e d aft er t h e m The .

da ndi s I h av e b e en assu re d do n o t w orship S iv a b u t o n ly

, , ,

t h ei r o wn dan da I f this b e co rre ct t he e xpl an ati o n is

.
,

p rob ably th at t he danda is re g ard e d by th em as t he ph allic

e m bl e m o f t he go d .

Dr J W B hat t acharj e e s ays t he dandi is n ot r e q ui re d

. . .

t o w orship an y god an d th at aft er i niti atio n he is s u ppos e d

,

1
My i qu i i s sp n g t h v y i t st i g i s t f d t h v
r e re ect i n e er n ere n n ec r e e rr e o a e

no t m t wi t h s e ss I d i s h v t b
u cce v y . fu l bs v s f
n an a e no e en er c ar e o er er o

na tu d i t pp
r e , an s t m t h t t h h bi t s f s m f t h s li t y w sps
a e ar o e a e a o o e o e o ar a

m y p ss i bly h v g i v
a o is t th b li f whi h g i v s D t t t y
a e en r e o e e e c e a a re a an

o pp t u i t y f
or l ssn i h li ss t t h dh
or a e T h s s li t y w sps
on n o ne o e sa us . e e o ar a

( m m phi l f
a o x m pl ) a, k w t s m t i m s st i g t h i p y i t
or e a e ar e no n o o e e n e r re n o

u s i u s ss b f
n con c o yi g t h m t t h i s t s t s v
ne e o r e c arr f df n e o e r ne o er e as oo or

t h f m i ly
e a d i t m y w ll h pp
, an th t s m f t h s vi t i m s
a vi v i t h
e a en a o e o e e c re e n e

ne s t d m i gh t s m t h v b
an s t d t li f by t h i p t s
ee o a e e en r e or e o e e r ca or .

I 2
g d t t h d d S i M i Wi lli m s i hi B d dh i m (P f
n re ar o e an a, r on e r a n s u s r e ac e ,

p xi i i ) s ys
. Fi lly t h i t h d d
a s t ff h ld i t h l ft h d
na , er e s e an a or a e n e e an ,

an d u s d by Se y i df a g i s t vi l sp i i t s m u h t h d j
an as as a e en ce a a n e r , c as e or e

( j ) i u s d by N t h
or va r a B u ddh i s t m
s e ks Th i s m ys t i l s t ff i
or e rn on . ca a s a

b m b u wi t h i k t s p ss i bly sy m b l i l f i x w ys (g ti ) s t t s f
a s x no , o o ca o s a a or a e o

li f t h u gh whi h i t i b l i v d t h t v y b i g m y h v t m i g t —
e ro c s e e e a e er e n a a e o ra e a

b li f m m t b t h B h m i s m d B ddh i s m Th s t ff i ll d
e e co on o o ra an an u . e a s ca e

su d (
ars a n a m f Vi sh u s k )
a na d i d i ly w sh i pp d f
e or th n
’
ca ra , an s a or e or e

p s v t i f i t s m ys t e i ou s p ow s
re er a on o r er .
”

1 60
 A S CE T I C S EC T S AN D TH E I R S U BD I V I S I ON S

to p ass in to t h e con di t i on o f a go d and he hi m s e lf ,

c on st an tly e xp re sse s his b e li e f i n s u ch t ran sfo rm ati on by

”
r e p e at i n g t he S oh am f orm ul a whi ch is S enc ham signi fyin g , , ,
”
I am S iva .

Th e dan di s w e ar s alm on c ol our e d cl o t he s whi ch m ay -

,

b e dye d o n c e o nl y S o m e h o we ver go ab ou t t h e j un gl e s
.
, ,

qui t e n ak e d Th e y are n o t all o we d t o t ou ch fi re m on e y

.
, ,

o r m et al i n an y fo rm The ir food m ay b e o btai ne d from

.

t he h ous e s of B rahm an s b u t th e y m ay ask for it o nl y wh en,

t h ere is n o s m ok e o r fi re i n t he h ou s e an d t h e gri n di n g m ill

is still i n ot h er wo rds wh en t he f ami ly has alre ady t ak e n
.
,

its m e al The dan di wallah sho ul d n ot ask for f oo d wh en

.

an y o n e e ls e e ven a d og
, is wait i n g for it , .

I ni ti ati on The s hagi rd (p o stul an t ) who wish e s t o

.

b e c o m e a chela is first o blig e d t o f ast for thr e e d ays ,

livi n g onl y on m ilk On t he four th day th e re is a gran d

. ,

hawan (a c er e m on y i n whi ch ghee an d oth e r c om b us t ibl e

s u bstan ce s are c on su m e d i n t he fir e as a s acrific e t o t he
go ds ) A fter t his h e is sh aved h ead an d all wi t h t he
.
, ,

e xc eptio n o f a fe w h ai r s o n t he c ro wn Then t he c an di d ate .

—
has to s t an d waist de e p i n wate r a river a tan k or an y
-
, ,

de e p re s e rv oir will an swe r t he p u rp os e With hi s own .

h an ds t he postu l an t then plu cks ou t t he few h airs whi ch

had b e en all owe d t o re m ai n on t he t op of hi s h e ad His .

s acre d thre ad is rem o ve d and b u rn t t he ash e s t hereo f ,

b e in g e aten by t he n e ophyte Whi le i n t he wat er he re ce ive s .

t he m an tra of t he ord e r from hi s gu ru or pr e c e pto r an d ,

also a ne w n am e with o n e o f t he followi n g s u rn am e s Ti rt h a ,

Ass am a Bharati o r S arswati

, ,
.

When h e ste ps ou t of t he water he is han de d a staff

an d a go ur d an d is r ob e d i n fi v e bi t s of s alm o n col o u r e d
,

c ot ton clot h one pi e c e b ein g wrapp e d r oun d t he h ead

, .

R u l e s for his gui dan c e i n life are e xpl ai n e d t o hi m : for

e x am pl e th at he m u st n ot tou ch fi re m ay take b u t on e
, ,
'

m e al a d ay m u st ge t hi s f o o d fr o m t he h o u s e s of B rahm an s
,

onl y ,
an d so o n H e is ad m o nishe d n ot t o p o ss e ss any
.

prop erty at all t o u se e ither a gour d o r an e arthen ve ss e l

,

for hi s wat er an d fo od an d t o cli n g to t he b an ks o f t he

,

G an ge s H e is fu rthe r en j oin ed t o pre ach to t he p eo ple

.

an d t o pra ctis e virt u e .

L
 T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I ND I A
Dandi s as a ru e l b u ry th eir d e ad or c omm it , t he b o dy
1
to s om e s acre d s t re am .

On re c eivi n g n e ws o f t he de at h of an y rel ative t he ,

dan di wa llah wh o m u st b e f at h e rl e ss an d m o th e rl e ss wif e

, ,

l e ss an d chil dl e ss b e f ore he c an j oi n t he s e c t h as on ly t o
, ,

b at h e an d t o wash hi s cl o t h e s an d dan da No fur th e r .

c ere m o ni e s or Obs ervan c e s are re qui re d of hi m .

3 . P A R A M A H AN S A S .

A l e arn e d I n di an xpl ai n e d to m e th at t he S an skri t ist e

n am e o f t hi s s e ct is d e riv e d f r o m t h e w o r ds param a m e ani n g ,

m u ch or g re at an d ha n sa a c e r t ai n (m yt h ologic al ) an i m al
, ,

whi ch c an s e p arat e water from m ilk wh en c e as m y p an di t ,

s aid it w ou l d s eem th at t he P aram ahansa is on e who c an

,

2
di sti n g uish tru t h f r om fals eh o od .

S an yasi s dan di s an d o t h er a sc e tics wh o h ave u n d e r

, ,

g o n e a p r ob ati on o f u s u ally n ot l e ss th an twe lve ye ar s ,

m ay b e ad m i t t e d t o this s u p e rio r o r d e r i n whi ch b o th ,

S i vi t e s an d Vish n u vit e s m er g e t h e i r re ligi ou s di ffere n c e s

i n a c om p re h e n siv e self worshi p b as e d on t h e p re s u m pti on -
,

’
o f e ach P aram a han sa s id e n ti t y wi t h t h e D ivi n e S pi rit .

S u ch high p re t en si o n s h av e o f n e c e ssity t o b e s uppo rte d

by s om e visibl e p ro o f o f s u p e ri ority t o physic al di sc om f ort
an d t h e w e akn e ss e s t h a t fl e sh i s h ei r t o ; an d so it

h app e n s t h at s om e m em b er s of this s e c t go abo u t n ak e d

1
Th s p e e r ac t i c e s w ul d s
ss y s qu o f th eem t o be a n ece ar con e en ce o e

s t i t p hi bi t i f t h
r c ro ffi by t h s s t i s
on o e u se o re e e e c ar e .

O di i ly h
2
r m
n ar s g s i g i fi t i whi h i vi w f t h
an sa e an a oos e, a n ca on c , n e o e

p t si s f t h m m b s f t h s t m y t l s t b t d K bi t h
r e en on o e e er o e ec , a a ea e no e . a r e

m ys t i s ys c Th g s
a , d t h p ddy b i d e f
o o e an l u d f li e a r ar e o on e co o r an ro c

in th s m e p l ; t h g s xt t s t h m i lk f m t h w t
a e oo e d th
oo e e r ac e ro e a er, an e

p ddy b i d d i k s t h m i — Wi ls s S t / th H i d p 55
a r r n e re .
”
on
’
ec s o e n us, . .

A m f i fu l i t p t t i f t h w d h
or e an c n i t b f u d i th
er re a on o e or an s a s o e o n n e

f ll wi g x t t
o o n e ra c

I th s i n fb
e th th t h i
c en c e o l sy m b l f i sp i t i i
rea d e ec n ca o or n ra on s s a , an

for e xpi t i h I t i sy t
ra on h w t h s sy m b ls
a . s ea t d wi t h o see o e e o ar e c on n e c e

th e ts
r oo d h asTh u an t f t h li f w v S p k
a . f b v i e c rr e n o e e- a e o en o a o e s

t h i ll y
ec n ca ll d h hca th t i
e t h m ti fh
a ns a c d Th w das a , a s, e o on o a an sa . e or

H AN S A wh i h i t k t m
, c G d s d i m d
a en mu h f i o m y e an o , an s a e so c o n an

San sk i t w k s i ly sy m b li p s t t i
r or , s on f th tw t
a lp o c re re en a on o e o e ern a ro

ce ss s f li f h d
e o e-— The S i a an fB th by R m
eu P s ad M A
.
”
c en ce o r ea , a a ra , . .
,

L d 18 9 0 p 22
on on , , . .

16 2
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS O F I ND I A
lay Li ngai ts t he m ost e xtravagan t ven e ratio n an d e v en
worshi p .

The Jangamas , occ asi on ally s een i n U pp e r

who are

Indi a are s t ate d by Dr B hat t acharj ee t o b e t he pri e s t ly

,
.

S ud ras o f t he s e ct Th e y are m arrie d m e n n o t give n t o

.

au st e ri t i e s an d go ab ou t w e ll cl ad
,
as will b e s e e n f r o m ,

t he ill u s t rat io n s at t he c o m m e n c e m e n t of t h e Pre f ac e

an d a t p 52 o f thi s vol u m e
. I n re g ar d t o t he n am e .

o f t he s e c t it is s aid t h at wh e n S hi v (S iva ) at hi s
, ,

m arri ag e d esi r e d t o giv e alm s t o B rahm an s n o B rahm an s ,

a pp e ar e d t he god th er e u p on t ore o p en hi s le g (i an ga ) an d
pr o du c e d t h ere from a m an wh om he c all e d J an g am a t o ,
” 1
wh om he gav e his alm s an d t his m an n o do u b t
, was , ,

t he f at h e r of t he s e ct At K e d arn at h i n G arwal th e y h ave

.

a t e m pl e an d m o n a st ery o f th e i r o wn .

I n S ou th e rn I n di a e sp e ci ally i n t he M al ab ar an d
.

Co ro m an de l district s t he L i ngai ts are very n um erou s

, .

A cc ordi n g to t h e Abb e D u b ois t he y abstai n from ani m al ,

fo od b u ry t hei r d e ad an d d o n ot re c o gnis e t he l aw
, , s
r e l at i n g t o d e fil e m e n t s whi ch are g e n e rally a cc e p t e d b y
” 2
oth e r c aste s The y p ractis e n o p o st b u ri al rite s
.
-
.

6 . AGH OR I S .

R e g ardi n g t he xiste n c e an d p ractic e s at t he pre s en t

e

d ay of this an ci en t an d r e p ul sive s e ct t he f ollowi n g ,

e xt ra ct f r o m a n e wsp ap e r co n d u ct e d e n ti re ly by I n di an s

a ff ords i n fo rm at i o n

The l o aths om e st ory o f a h u m an gh ou l fr om P ati al a

shows t h at t he in fl u en ce o f t he Aghorpant hi has n ot ye t
c om pl e te ly di e d o u t i n thi s c ou n t ry I t is s aid th at for .

s om e t im e p as t hu m an grave s h ave b ee n fo un d ro b be d o f
their c on t e n t s an d t he m ystery c oul d n o t b e s o lve d u n til
,

t h e o t h e r d ay wh e n t he p o lic e s u cc e e d e d i n arre sti n g a

,
’
m an i n t he a c t of d e s e crat i n g a child s grav e s o m e fo rty
m il e s dis t an t f rom t h e c api t al (P at i al a ) Th e gh oul n o t .

on ly di d n o t c o n c e al t h e un d e v o u r e d p or t i on o f t he c orps e

1
R eport on the Cens us o f the P u n j ab, by E . D M
. a c la g an , p .

2
H i nd u M an n ers , Cus tom s , a nd Cerem on i es , p art i . c h p a . ix .

164
 A S CE T I C S E CT S AND T H E I R S UBD I VI S I ONS

he had with hi m b u t t old hi s c aptors t he wh o l e st ory o f

,

hi s gru e s om e c areer H e is a l ow c ast e H i n d u n am e d

.
-

R am Nat h an d is a cc ordi n g t o a ge n t l e m an wh o saw hi m

, , ,
’
a sin g u l arly m ild an d r e sp e ctfu l lo o ki n g m an i n s t e ad o f -
,

’
a re d e y e d an d ra v e n o u s s av ag e
-
as h e h ad e xp e ct e d t o ,

fin d hi m from t he a cc o un t s oi hi s disgu s ti n g p ro p en si t i e s .

He b e c am e an o r ph an a t fi v e an d f e ll i n t o t h e h an ds o f ,

t wo sadhu s o f his o wn c ast e wh o w ere e vid e n tly Aghor ,

anthi s Th ey t au ght hi m t e at h u m an fl e sh wh i ch
p . o ,

form e d t he s t aple o f the ir fo od The m e at was pro cure d .

from t he grave s i n t he vi ll age s t h e y p ass e d t hr o u gh .

Wh en R am Nat h was t h orou ghly e du cate d i n t hi s t as t e

t h e sadhu s d e s e rt e d hi m S i n c e t h e n he h as b e e n livi n g
.

o n h u m an c arn o n o n ly r o am i n g ab ou t t h e c o u n t r y lik e a
,

hun g ry v ultur e H e c ann o t e a t c o oke d fo o d an d t heref ore

.
,

ge ts t wo seers of r aw m e at from t h e S t at e e v er y d ay I t .

is als o r ep or te d t h at S i rd ar S ham shere S i n gh p rivat e ,

s e cre t ary t o t he M ah araj ah has n o w forbidd e n t o give hi m ,

an yt hi n g b u t o rdi n ary j ail fo o d wi t h a vi e w t o r e f or m i n g

,
’
hi m . The gho ul is h o we v e r d e t e rmi n e d t o s t ar v e r at h e r
, ,
” 1
th an e at wh at he has n o t b e en a ccu st om e d t o .

S t ran g e as it m ay s e e m t h e di sg u s t in gly r e p ul sive ,

h abi t s of t he Aghori s are a dire c t an d l e gi t i m at e if h orrible , ,

o u t c o m e o f a d e si re t o p u sh t h e p an t h e is t ic d o c t r i n e s o f

t he Ve dan t a phi l o s o phy t o th e i r l o gic al c on cl u si o n s i n a

c ert ain di re ction I f e ve ryt hi n g i n e xisten c e is o nl y a
.

m ani fe st at i on o f t h e U ni ve r s al S ou l n o t hi n g c an be ,

”
un cl ean ! S o arg u e s t h e Aghorpanthi an d he p ro v e s ,

t h e u n c o m p r omi si n g si n c e rity o f hi s c on vic t i on s by hi s

r e p e ll e n t a c t s .

Cas e s fe w and far b e twe en of n e c ro philism an t hr o

, , ,

O
p p gyh a an
, d c o p ro l o gy are n o t u n k n o w n t o m en t al
p at h ologi sts i n E urop e ; b u t i t is pe rh aps o n ly i n In di a , ,

t h at s u ch p erve rt e d i n stin c t s c o u ld b e m ad e t he b a sis o f a

re li i ous s e ct
g .

Th e Aghorpant hi s c an d at e b ack t o a c on sid e rabl e

an t iqu i t y b u t t h o u gh n e ve r at an y t i m e o f i m p o rt an c e
, ,

n um e ric ally have n o t e sc ap e d t he n otic e o f E u ro p ean s i n

,

I n di a O f the s e c an nib al sadhu s M oor who ide n t ifie s

.
, ,

1 Th e Tr i bu n e (L a h ) 29 t h
or e , N v mb
o e er 18 9 8 .

16 5
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS OF I NDIA
the m n o d ou bt i n co rre ctly wi th t he P aram ahan sas write s
, , ,

as f o ll o ws i n his Hi n d u P an t h e on

Howe ve r di ffi t i t m ay b e fo r an E n glish read er to

b e li e ve t he hi t h ert o un re c orde d sto ry of t he flesh abh orri n g -

Hin du s n o t onl y d o o t he r c aste s o f t he Hi n d u s b ut e v en

, ,

o f t h e B r ah mi n s t h e m s elv e s e at fl e sh an d o n e s e ct at , ,

l e as t e at hu m an fl e sh Th e y do n o t kill h u m an s u bj e cts
.

t o e at b u t t h e y e at s u ch a s t h ey fi n d ab ou t t he G an g e s
,

an d o th er riv e r s an d n e ar B e n ar e s th e y ar e n o t u n u s u all y
,

s e en fl oat i n g d own t h e river on a c orps e an d f e edi n g u p on ,

its fl e sh ; an d t he hu m an b rai n is j u dg e d by the s e

e pic u r e an c an nib als t o b e t he m o s t d elici ou s m ors el o f
th e ir un soci al b an qu e t The y are c alle d P aram ahan sa .
,

an d are by n o m ean s a l o w d e spic abl e t rib e ; b u t on t he ,

c on t rary are e s t e e m e d at an y rat e by th em s e lve s a v ery

, , ,

hi gh on e Whe th er t he e xalt at i on b e l egi t i m at e or

.
,

a ss u m e d by i n di vidu als i n c on s e qu en c e o f p e n an ce or
h o ly an d s an ct ifi e d a cts I am n o t p re p are d to state ; b u t ,

I b eli eve t he l at t er as I h ave kn o wn o th er i n st an c e s wh ere

,

i n dividu als of diffe ri n g s e ct s by p e rs e ve ri n g i n e xt ra ,

o rdi n ar y pi e ty or p en an c e h av e b een d ee m e d i n c ap abl e

, ,
”
o f si n .

The
p re s en t h eadqu arters o f t he Aghorpan thi s app ear t o
b e at M o u n t A bo S om e of t h e m cl ai m t o a cqui re m agic al
.

”
p ower by e ati n g hu m an fl e sh The f act is s ays Dr .
,
.

J N B hat t ach arj e e

. . th at as B rahm anism i n cul c ate d
,

cl e anl i n e ss an d t he e ati n g o f wh ol e s om e f o o d t he Aghori s , ,

wh o f orm e d on e o f t h e s e c t s s e t t i n g u p Opp o si t i on sh ops

as i t w ere i n sis t e d o n t h e u t m o s t d e g re e o f fil th an d h o p e d
, ,

t o g ai n al m s by h orrifyi n g t he p e opl e an d n ot by g ai ni n g
” 1
th ei r r e sp e c t .

I am n o t p re p are d t o say how m u ch tru t h the re m ay

b e i n t his o pi ni on b u t c er t ai n ly t h e re is n o d e n yi n g t h at
,

t h e Aghor i s are onl y t oo s u cc e ssfu l i n e x t ort i n g m o n e y

fr om p e o pl e who h av e a s u p rem e dr ead o f t h em an d w oul d ,

m u ch r at h e r a cc e d e t o t h ei r d e m an ds th an s ee t h e m c arry

H i n d u Ca s tes a n d S ects
1
39 3 394 On t h e e ct o f t e e
, pp .
, . s u bj hs
A ghor pa n thi s t h e r e a e r m a y r e e r t o Wa r ’
d
H i nd u s , 29 6 an d Mr f ds p.
,
.

W Cr o o k e P o pul ar R el i gi on an d F ol k l ore of N or thern I nd i a , v ol i i

.
’
s - . .

p 172
. .

16 6
 —
C H A P TE R V I I I con ti n u e d
S E CT I ON III .
-
g Vi dy —Y gi s t t t i g t t t i i t h
Yo i gs an d Yo a a o a r ac n a en on n e

W s t —Phi l phi
e l i gi u s I d s u d lyi g Y g i m —E m i p
oso co -re o ea n er n o a s an c a

ti on of t h S u l t h s u p m O bj t f H i d u
e o e l i gi u s A spi t i
re e ec o n re o ra on

Y g Vi dy t
o a h s h wU i a f t h i di vi d u l S ul wi t h t h A ll
e ac e o n on o e n a o e

S pi i t m y b
r m pli sh d — D t i ls
a e a cc o d p b bl O i gi f t h Di
e e a an ro a e r n o e s

ci pl i d P
n e anti s f Y g Vi dy —Th P t s i s f t h m d
ra c ce o o a a e re en on o e o er n

Y g i s —H i s t y Cu s t m s
o d R ul s f t h Y gi s t
or , o , an e o e o ec .

U DGI NG
fro m c urren t literat u re o f a
c ert ai n cl ass t he Yogi s an d th e i r
1
,

d o ctrin e s h av e i n re c en t y e ars , ,

s om eh ow attracte d atten tio n i n b o t h

E u rop e an d A m erica an d yoga ,

t e achi n gs h av e c om e t o b e re g ard e d
a s t he hi gh e s t e xp re ssi on o f t ran
s c e n de n t al H i n d u is m I n t he U ni t e d .

S t at e s n o t wi t hst an di n g t h e ir s u p e r ,

l at ive i n du stri alism t here is a grow ,

i n g cl ass o f p u bli c at i on s i n which

p ro m i n en c e is given t o s u ch s u bj e cts as t he rat i on al e of
c on c e n tratio n psychic b re at hi n g s u bli m i n al c on sci o u s
, ,

n e ss , t he p er c e pti o n o f t he S elf rapport wi t h t h e U ni ,

vers al an d als o with ou t disg uis e t he Rafa Yoga syste m

, , ,

o f I n di a .

The Yogi m ore ove r ha s b e en a cc e pte d i n t he We st a s

, ,

t he t yp e o r r e p re s en t ative o f t he religi ou s asc e t ics o f I n di a .

I t is th e re f o re very d e si rabl e th at t he id eas an d p racti ce s

o f t h e Yo i s sho ul d b e se t f o r t h h e re a s f u lly an d cl e arly
g
as m a
y b e co n sist e n t with b r e vi t y .

H i n du phi loso phi c o religio u s ide as i n volve d as t h e y -

,

1
The Yogi s a re i n t h v ern a c u l ar s f N or t h ern I n di a or d i n ari ly call d
e o e

16 8
 A S CE T I C S E CT S AND TH EIR S U B D I VI S I O N S
are in a sp e c ul at io n s p re s e n t
t an gl e d l abyr in th of m ys t ic ,

very s e ri ou s di fli c ult i es t o t he s t u de n t p articul arly as ,

there are n atu rally m an y sys t e m s of Hi n du phi los ophy

an d of c ours e a m ul t iplicity of t e ach ers t o b e re cko n e d
, ,

wi t h Ye t th e re are s om e m o re or l e ss wi dely a cc e pte d

.

fu n dam en tal n o ti on s whi ch wh en s t ripp e d o f c on fu sin g

d e t ails are n ot b e yon d o rdi n ar y c om preh en si on an d as , ,

th e y s e rv e t o elu cidate t he p ractic e s of t he Yogi s will n ow ,

b e n o t ic e d At t h e s am e t i m e it m ay b e adde d t h at
.
, ,

am o n gst t h e m an y fan tastic d ream s whi ch h ave b een

pre s en t e d t o m anki n d as au th oritative e xpl an at i on s of t he
u ni v e r s e th e s e Hi n d u sp e c ul ati on s are n o t witho u t dig ni ty
, ,

b e au ty an d o rigin ality ,

A ccordi n g t o t he fu n dam en tal n o tion s of Hin du

philos o phy t o which I re fer e v ery li vin g m an is m ade u p ,

o f an i n divid u al s ou l a s u b t l e i n visibl e b o dy an d a g r o ss , ,

body The s ou l is of t he s am e e ss en c e as t he All S pi rit

.
-
,

al t h o u gh t e m p or arily d e t ach e d as i t w e re fr om i t i n s ome , ,

m yst e rio u s way I t is by its n atu r e i n c orru ptibl e an d .

u n ch an gi n g The s u b t l e b o dy (s uk shm a sari ra ) h o w e v er

.
1 -
, ,

is n ot s o an d whil e i n c on n e c t i on wi t h t he gross b o dy is
,

i n flu en ce d a ffe c t e d an d m o difie d th r ou gh t he s en s e s by t he
, ,

pl ay of t he p ri m al fo rce s of n at u re The i m p re ssion s thu s .

m ade u po n t h e s u btl e b o dy t h e di sp o si t i on s e n g e n de re d i n ,

i t b y t he i n flu e n c e s to which it is e xp o s e d affe ct i t s n at u re
'

, ,

s o th at e v e n wh e n s e p ar at e d aft er d e at h fro m its g ro ss er

,

1
hy phi l s phy t hi s uk hm
I n t h e s am k i pp s l i g
a- o o s s a - s ar r a a e ar as n a

s g b dy S th t l
s ar i r a , o r t h e i n i s m t i l b dy
-
o . si s t s z a - s a r r a , o r c oar e a er a o , c on ,

di g t s m san k hya t ch s f t h fi
a c c or n o o f u
e s l m ts
i ea er , o e v e or o r c oa r e e e en

(bhut ) as di g t t h s f t h
, ac c or th ly d i m d u p f i
n o o er o e e ar on , an s a e o s x

co v i gs —h i bl d fl sh si ws b s d m
er n a r, w Th s u b t l
oo , e , ne , on e , an a rr o . e e or

in n er b dy s m t i m s ll d t h v hi l
o , t h d t i ahi h
o e ie i f m d
ca e e e c e or e v a - s ar r a , s or e

o f i gh t
e l m t s f ( l ) B ddhi (2) Ah m k
een e e en 3
( ) M :s —
( 8 ) th
4 o u , a ara , an a , e

fi veT m at an uk hm bh at d (9 18 ) t h t
r as o r s s s s Thi s b dy
s a- / a s , an -
e en
'

en e . o

is of u s i vi si bl b t wi t h u t i t t h
co r e n s b dy w ul d b u s l ss I t
e, u o e c o ar e o o e e e .

f m s wh t w sh uld ll
or p s li t y d u s s t h d i ff
a e o ca i th ou r er on a , an ca e e ere n c e n e

ch t s f i di v i d u l s b i g i t s l f wh t i t h
ar ac e r o n b m d t b by f m e a , e n e a as e en a e o e or r

w k s All fit ss f
or . w d d p u i sh m t t t h s t i t n t t t h
ne or r e ar an n en a ac e o , o o e

P h
u r us wh r ll li k
as , d u h gi g d i t l i k wi s d t m i
o a e a a s by e an nc an n , an e e e er ne

m s f i t qui d d i sp si t i s t h g ss b di s i t wh i h i t h t t
e an o s ac re o on e ro o e n o c as o en er

f m li f t li f t i ll fi l f d m i b t i d by t h P
ro e o e, hna d t ly
ree o s o a ne e u ru s a an no on

t h g ss b d y b t t h s u b t l b dy ls
e ro o i bs b d i P k i t i —Th
, u e e o a o, s re a or e n ra r .
”
e

S ix Sy t m f I di P hi l
s e phy by P f ss
s o F M n Mii ll
an p 395 os o , ro e or . ax er , . .

16 9
T H E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
c ou n t e rp art it still re tai n s t he t ai n t of its c orp ore al
,

e xist e n c e — th at is t o say t he afli ni t i es p ro cli v itie s an d

, , ,

t e n de n ci e s d e v elop e d i n i t d uri n g its e arthly soj o urn .

Now i n t he o rdin ary b u t e t ern al i n t er act io n of t he c om

,

—
pl e x f orc e s o f n ature t he pran as an d tatwas th e se —
a cq u i re d qu aliti e s bri n g ab ou t t he rein c arn ati on o f t he
s u btl e i n visibl e body al on g with t h e so ul t o which it is
u n it e d .B u t for t h e s o u l rebi rt h is a m o st u n d e sir abl e
,

e ven t ,
a m o st t e rribl e h ar ds hi p E scap e howe ver fro m .
, ,

this dire c al am ity is f ort un ate ly p o ssibl e p rovide d t h e ,

s u b t l e body b e o nl y fr e e d from t he i n fl u e n c e o f t he s en s e s ,

so t h a t it m ay l o s e all att achm e n t t o t hi n gs m un dan e all —

e ar t hwar d t en d e n ci e s a s it w ere B u t wh o is t o ae c om
, .

p li sh t his ? W h o is t o s e t t h e s uk s hm a s ar i r a f r e e f r o m -

t he t r am m e ls o f w orl dl y affe c t io n s ? I t is t h e s oul al on e

t h at c an d o it ; it is t he so ul which m u s t wo rk ou t i t s
o wn s alv atio n .

B e fore it th e n li e s t he t ask o f we ani n g t he s u b t l e

, ,

b ody c om pl e t e ly fr om t he h op e s an d fe ar s t h e affe c t i on s ,

an d d e si re s o f e ar t hly lif e
, To re g ai n i t s fre e d om it m u s t
.

s u cc ee d i n e ffaci n g t he i m p re ssi on s m ade u p on t h e s u b t l e

b o dy du ri n g i t s e art hl y lif e i n an n u lli n g t h e at t ract i on s o f
,

c arn ali t y an d d e stroyi n g t he f o r c e s which m ak e for re bi rth .

I t m ay t ak e ag e s an d s t ren u ou s e ffo rts i n m an y s u cc e ssive

live s t o acc om plish thi s ; b u t wh en i t is fin ally attai n e d , ,

t h e s uhshm a sari ra af t er t h e di ss ol u ti on of t he g ro ss body

-
, ,

will h av e n o t e n de n cy t o re turn t o t hi s e art h b u t will b e ,

m e rg e d i n t he s o ul an d t h at ag ai n r e l eas e d f rom e v e ry
, ,

h am p eri n g i m p e di m en t will b e c om e re u nite d wi t h t he A ll

,

S pi ri t .

A p re s en tm en t of t he r el at i on s o f t he s ou l t he b ody , ,

an d t h e G r e at S pi ri t which e vi d e n t ly a pp e als t o t h e p e c ul i ar
,

v o l u p t u ou s s en t i m en t alism of t he B en g ali n at u re d e s erve s a ,

p assi n g n ot i c e
The s ou l s ays a re c en t writer B ab u S hi shi r K u m ar
, ,

i s a t t ach e d t o t he b o dy an d n at ur ally f e els a

!
Gh o s e , ,

g re at at t rac t i on for i t B u t its re al p ar tn e r is t he Great

.

S p i ri t o f t h e uni ve r s e The s ou l of m an is lik en e d t o a

.

w om an wh o s e l o v er i s t he b ody b u t whos e hu sb an d is
, ,

t h e G r eat S o u l v i z Go d , B u t she t he s ou l u n d u tifu lly

. .
, ,

17 0
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I NDIA
i n te lli gibl e th eir u nivers ally acc e pte d d o ctri n e of k arm a ,

a cc or di n g t o whi ch as e xpl ai ne d i n a p r e vi o u s ch ap t er
,
all ,

a c t i o n s g o o d or b ad m u st b e ar t h e i r f ru i t a t s o m e t i m e o r

o t h e r i n t he p r e s en t or i n fu t u re liv e s ; a d o c t ri n e whi ch

c ert ai n ly m ak e s for m orali t y an d a cc ou n ts i n t elligibly ,

fo r t he s t riki n g an d app ar e n t ly un j u st i n e qu ali t i e s whi ch

hu m an soci e t y an d i n di vid ual hi s t o ry p re s en t .

A ft e r t he foregoin g e xpl an ati on i t will b e e asily ,

u n d er st oo d th at e v e r y o n e d e si ro u s o f e ffe cti n g t h e fi n al

e m an cip at i on o f hi s s o u l an d its re abs orp t i o n i n t o t he .

All S pi ri t shoul d foll ow p ractic e s c alcul at e d t o w e an t he

-

m i n d fr om t h e di s t racti on s an d s e d u c t i on s o f its e ar thl y

e n vi ro n m e n t .

Th e s e g en eral pri n cipl e s b ein g a cc e p t e d s om e e age r ,

m i n ds i m p at i e n t o f d e l ays s om e e m o t i on al n at ur e s i n ,

l o v e wi t h t he In fi nit e h ave d e em e d i t possibl e t o e ffe c t

,

a m ys t ic al un i on b e t w e e n t he i n di vidu al s oul an d t he
All S piri t even whi le the form er i s i m pr i son ed i n i ts corporeal
-
,

fram e ; an d for t he at t ai nm e n t o f thi s t he hi gh e s t o f ,

d e si rabl e o bj e c t s is t h e sys t e m de vis e d by Pat an j ali an d

,

a cc e pt e d as au t h o ri t at iv e by t h e Yogi s .

The wo r d yoga m e an s u ni on an d fir s t o ccur s i n ,

t h e l at e r U p anish ads 1
Yoga Vi dya is a c om pl e x syst e m
.

of phi l o s ophic al d o c t ri n e s an d p ractic al e x er cis e s for

prom ot i n g o r e ffe c t i n g u ni on b e twe en t he i n dividu al so u l
an d t h e All S pi rit -
.

A s d e scrib e d b y S vam i n R am a Kri shn an an da i n t he -

B rahm av adi n p 511 s eg , . i t c on sis t s as p r ac t is e d at

.
, ,

p re s en t o f f o ur k i n ds : M an t ra L ay a R aj a an d H ath a
, , , ,

y og a M antra yoga c on sis t s i n re p eat i n g a c ert ai n w ord

.
-

ag ai n an d ag ain p art icu l arly a w ord e xpr e ssiv e o f d ei t y

, ,

’
an d c onc en t r at in g all on e s t h ou ghts on i t L aya yoga .
-

’
is t he c on s e crat in g all o n e s th ou gh t s o n a t hi n g o r t h e
ide a o f a thi n g so t h at we b e c om e alm ost o n e wi t h i t
,
.

H ere ag ai n t he id eal im ag e of a god or n am e s e xp re ssive ,

o f t h e G o dh e ad are t h e b e s t ,
as p r o d u ci n g abs or pti on i n ,

Go d . Rafa yoga c on sis t s i n co n t roll i n g t h e b re a t h s o as

-

t o c on t r o l t h e m i n d I t was o bs e rv e d t h at wh e n fi xi n g
.

ou r a tte n ti o n s u dd enly o n an ythi n g n ew we h old our

1
We b e r s ’
I n d i a n L i t erat u r e, p . 23 9 .

17 2
 A S CE T I C S E CT S AN D TH E I R S U B D IVI S I O N S

bre ath an d it was s u pp os ed the re fore th at con c en t rati on

, , ,

of t he m n d woul d b e s u re t o foll o w t he h oldin g b ack of

i

t he b r eath or t he pranayam a ,
H atha yoga is c on c e rn e d .
-

with t he g en eral he al t h of t he b o dy an d is s u pp os e d t o ,

p rodu c e c on c en t rati on by c ertai n posture s of t he body ,

by fixin g t he e ye s on one poin t p articu l arly t he tip of t he ,

” 1
n ose an d si m il ar c on trivan c e s
, .

Yogi p rop erly m ean s on e who p r actis e s yoga wi t h t h e

o bj e c t of u ni t i n g o r bl e n di n g hi s so ul with t he D i vi n e
S pi rit o r Wo rld S oul -
.

Ve ry c u ri ou sly h o we ve r t he pra c t ic e of yoga is n o t

, ,

un d e rt ak en by all Yogi s n or is i t c o n fin e d t o t h e p r of e ss ed ,

Yogi The e ffi cacy o f t h e syst e m is an ar t icl e o f fai t h s o

.

u niv e rs ally acc e p t e d thro u gh ou t I n di a th at o t h er s e ct ari an s , ,

i n cl u di n g l aym en e ven m arri e d m en an d h ou s e h olders

, ,

re s ort t o i t whe n so i n cli ne d an d it m ay b e add e d th at ,

t he f o un d e r e ve n o f t he qui t e re c en t th eistic s e ct k n ow n

as t he B rahma S amaj B ab u Ke sh ab Chu n dr a S en p ractis e d, ,

yg
o a .

Now u ni on
w
cc om plish e d b y any
ith t he All S pirit if
-
, a

i n di vidu al s oul m u st s u re ly en h an c e its s u sc eptibilitie s

,

an d p o wer s H en c e as I h ave e xpl ai n e d i n an o t her

.
,

b ook t he Yogi s n aturally cl aim an d t he H i n du world

, ,

re adily c o n c e d e s to th e m a far rea chi n g kn owl e dg e of t he ,

-

s e crets o f n atur e an d alm ost u nli m i t e d sway o v er m e n

"
an d n at u ral ph en o m en a s
‘
:

When thi s m ys t ic uni on is e ffe ct e d s ays Pro fe ss or ,

H H Wils on
. . t h e Yogi is lib erat e d i n hi s li vi n g body
,

from t he cl o g o f m at e ri al i n cu m b ran c e an d acqui re s an ,

e n ti re c om m an d o ver all worldl y s u bst an ce H e c an .

m ak e h m s elf light e r th an t he ligh t e s t s u bs t an c e s h e av i e r

i

t h an t h e h e avi es t ; c an b e c om e as v ast or as m in u t e as h e
pl ease s c an trave r se all sp ac e c an ani mat e an y de ad b o dy
, ,

by t r an sfe rrin g hi s spiri t i n t o i t fr om his o wn fram e can

,
‘

re n d er hi m s e lf in visibl e can att ain all o bj e ct s b e c om e , ,

e qu ally a cqu ai n t e d with t he p ast p re s e n t an d f u tur e an d is , , ,

fin ally unit e d with S iva and c on s e qu e n t ly e x e m pte d fr om ,

b ein g born ag ain u pon earth The s u p e rh u m an f acu l t ie s .

1
Pr o f sse or Max M llu er s
’
The L i fe a n d S ayi ngs of R a m a k r i s hna , p . 8 .

2
I nd i a n L i fe, R el i gi o u s a nd S oc i al ( T
Fi e r U n i n , L on d o n )
. sh w .

I 7S
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
are cqui re d i n vari ou s d e gre e s acc ordi n g t o t he gre ate r
a , ,

o r l e ss p erf e cti o n with which t h e i niti at o ry p r oc e ss e s h av e

” 1
b e e n p e r f o rm e d .

A re ce n t In di an e xp on e n t o f Rafa yoga has s u m m e d -

u p t h e o bj e ct o f t h e syst e m i n t h e f o ll o wi n g c om p re h e n siv e

s t at em e n t : The Yogi p rop o s e s t o hi m s elf n o l e ss a t ask

th an t o m as t e r t he wh ol e univers e t o con trol t he wh ol e ,

” 2
o f n at u r e .

E ve r y Yogi
do e s n o t se t u p for b ein g a th au m atur gist ,

si n c e s u ch a p re t en si on m igh t e asily b e t e s t e d t o t h e
c on f u si on o f t he p re te n d er The cl ai m an d t he co n c e ssi on .

are rath e r i n f av ou r o f t he syst e m an d o f an y wh o ac t

u p t o i t s ru l e s Th ere are h owe v er s om e sc e ptics who

.
, ,

m ai n t ai n th at o a c an n o t b e e ffe ctive i n thi s ha li

y g y g
u a ,
” 3
o r a e o f si n
g .

The pp are n t origi n an d d e ve lop m en t of t he p ractic al

a

syst em or m e th o d of t he Yogi s is de s ervi n g o f atten tio n .

S tart i n g fr om th at o bvi ou sly m o st i m port an t vi t al fun c t i o n ,

re spi r atio n s om e Hin du s age s app ear t o h ave obs erve d

,

an d r e a s on e d s om ewh at i n t he f oll owi ng way The ai r .

i n h al e d is e vid en t ly t he life or a t le ast c on tai n s t he ,

vi t al p ri n cipl e i n s om e s u btle f orm ; for d e privation of

ai r m e an s d e at h an d with t h e l a s t e xpi ra ti on t h e livi n g
,

b o dy b e c om e s a c o rps e Now t hi s ai r p ene trat e s t he

.

c orp ore al fram e an d is e asily di sc o verabl e i n t he ch e st

, ,

t h e s t om ach t h e b o we ls an d e ls e wh e re
, B u t this lif e
, .

b re ath is app aren t ly n ot stagn an t I t p o ss e ss e s s om e sort .

o f m o t i on b ein g dr awn i n to t he ch e st thr ou gh t he n o s t rils

,

an d e xh al e d thr o u gh t he s am e ap ert ur e s S om e o f t he .

l arger an d m ore o bvi ou s s t ru c t u ral d e tails o f t he lu n gs wi t h

its b ran chi n g tu b e s m ay h ave b e en n ot ic e d an d p o ssibly ,

als o t he ch am b er s o f t h e h e ar t wi t h t h e g re at co nn e ct e d

ve ss els s u gge sti n g ch an n els for t he m o vem en t s of prana ,

t he vi t al ai r an d o f c e n t re s for i t s c on c e n trati on
, .

R e fl e cti n g i n t h e i r o wn p e c ul i ar way on t he m ys t erio u s

, ,

p roc e ss of re spi rat i on which was s u pp o s e d t o b e a l aw o f

,

1
S k etch of the R el i gi o u s S ects o f the H i n d u s 13 1 , p . .

2
R afa yoga
-
Le ct re . S u s by w v
a m i Vi e k a n an a , d p . 11 (L o n gm an s
Co Lon d on ) .

3
H i nd u Cas tes an d S ects , by Dr . J N . . B ha t t a c h ar j e e , p . 4 02
.

1 74
T H E M YS T I C S AS C ET I CS A N D , , S AI N T S O F I N DI A
The prac t ice s actu ally de scrib e d i n conf orm ity wi t h t h ‘

s ci en ce ab o v e re f err e d to for t h e att ai n m en t o f sam adhi

1

are s u ch as te n d t o abstra ct t h e m i n d e n ti re ly fro m s u r

r ou n di n g o b j e cts o r e v e n ts f av ou ri n g t h ereby a c o n di t i on ,

o f s e lf h yp n o t is m or tr an c e
-
.
4

With wh at i n sight t he e x e rcis e s h ave b e en d e vis e d b y

t he ad e pts wh o p re scrib e d th e m will b e app are n t wh e n i t
‘

is s t at e d th at t h e s e i n v olve l on g c on t i n u e d su pp re ssi on s o f - '

t he b re ath an d t h e p e rf orm an c e o f t h e fu n cti on s o f re sp i ra

,

ti on by p e c u li ar an d mi n u t ely p re scrib e d m ode s of i n sp i ra

tion an d e xpi rat i on t hrou gh t h e right an d l e ft n o s t ri l s
r e sp e ctiv e ly ; th at th e y i n cl u d e p os t u ri n g i n n o l e ss t h an

e ighty f our -
di ffe re n t at t itu de s ; als o t h e fre qu en t e ve n ,

mi lli on f old m e n t al re p e t i t io n of t h e m ystic syll abl e c m

, ,

t h e p rol on g e d c on c en trati on of vis u al at t en tio n on n e ar

obj e cts—for e x am pl e t he n avel or t he t i p of t h e n ose ,

c om bi ne d wi t h an e qu ally s evere s t rai n i m p os e d u p o n t he ” -

au dito ry n e rv e s i n p r otra cte d e ffo rts t o list e n t o so u nds i n

‘

t he e ar s th em s elve s .

Th en there is m edi tati on t he n ature o f whi ch m ay b e ,

illu strate d by t h e f o ll o wi n g e xam pl e

I m agi n e a lotu s u p on t he t op o f t he h e ad s e ve ral ,

i n ch e s u p an d vi rt u e as i t s c en tre t he stalk as kn owl edge

, , .

The e igh t p e t als o f t he l o tu s are t h e e igh t p o we r s o f t h e

Yogi I n side t he s t am en s an d pistils are ren un ci at i on
. .

I f t he Yogi re fu s e s t he e xtern al power s he will c om e t o

s alvat i on S o t he eight p e tals o f t he l otu s are t he eigh t
.

p owe r s b u t t he i n t ern al st am en s an d pistils arr t he

,

e xtre m e r enun ci at i o n o f all th e s e I n sid e o f t h at l o t m s .

t hi n k o f t he G old e n On e t h e Al m ighty t he I n t an gibl e H e , , ,

whos e n am e is Om t he In e xp re ssible s urroun de d wi t h , ,

” 2
e fful g en t light M editate on t h at . .

The re is n o reas on to d en y that by such m e di t at i on s ,

an d b v t h e p rac t ic e s re fe rre d t o above c arri e d on t i n ,

s olitu de a stat e o f s elf hyp n otis ati on m ight b e at t ain e d

,
-
,

I
1 I n Pr of ss M M ll s I e or ax u er
’
n di an ( p 14 1)
P hil os o p hy m . sa adh i is
d efi ne d as m di t t i v bs p t i e a e a or on . A di g t S w m i Vi k
c c or n o a ve a n ar i ds ,
i t m ea n s sup s i u s ss B yer - c o n c o ne . S ir M i Wi lli m s i t i u sed
on e r a s as th e

e qu i v al e n t o f tra nc e .

2
Rafa yoga, -
by S wam i Vi v e k an a n d ppa, . 9 1, 9 2 .

1 76
 A S CE T I C S EC T S AN D TH E I R S U B D I VI S I O N S

i t h m en t al h all u cin at i on s m ore or le ss p e rm anen t an d

r ,
1

t hat e ven an e cs t at ic stat e m i ght b e i n d u ce d N ow e cstasy .

,

p articul arly rel igi ou s e cs t asy i s a we ll kn own phe n om en on ,

-
,

an d i s a ss o ci at e d wi t h m an y Chris t i an s ai n t s : as S t .

Theres a S t Phi lip o f Neri and o t he rs I t m e an s s u ch

, .
, .

2 s u sp e n si on o f c on sci ou s n e ss as t o c au s e o bli t e r at i on
.
t em ,

p o raril
y o f a ll s e n s e r,
e l at i o n s wi t h t h e m at eri al w or ld an d ,

i s acc om p an i e d wi t h b e at i fi c visi on s i n w hich p ai n is

c u ri ou sly bl en de d wi t h un u tt erabl e bliss .

Wh at m od ern sci en ce h as t o s ay i n e lu cidati on o f

ec as y m ay b e j u dg e d fr om
st t he f ollo wi n g e xt ra ct from
Dr Max Nord e n s we ll kn o wn w ork Degen erati on an d
’ ‘
-
.
,

s u ch light as i t t h r ows u po n t he s u bj e c t will d ou b t l e ss

b e we lc om e t o t he re ad er i n c on n e c t i on with t he cl aim s
whi ch we are n ow con side rin g of t he disciple s o f Yoga

The of
xcl u siv e n e ss an d in sist en ce i n t he
d e g re e e

p r f om 1n a n
.. ce o f a n y p r e s e n t a t i on is i n p r o p o r t i on t o

the d e gre e of m or bid i rri t abili t y i n t h e partic ul ar t r ac t o f

’

br ain b y whi ch i t is el ab or at e d Wh e re t he de gre e is n ot .

e xc e ssive t h e re ari s e o bs e ssi o n s whi ch t he co n sci ou sn e ss

,

r e c o gni s e s a s m orbid Th e y d o n ot p re clu de t he c oe xis t

.

'

en c e o f h e al t hy fu n c t i oni n g o f t h e b rai n an d c on sci ou s n e ss ,

a cq u i r e s t h e h abi t o f t r e at i n g th e s e c o exi s t en t o bs e ssi on s

as f o re i gn t o i t s e lf an d o f b ani shi n g th e m f ro m i t s p r e s en
,

t at i on s an d j u dgmen ts I n aggravat e d c as e s t h e s e o b se s .

si on s gr o w i n t o fix e d ide as The i m m o derat ely e xcit abl e .

p ort i on s of t he b rai n wo rk o u t t h e i r ide as wi t h s u ch

liveli n e ss t h at c on sci ou s n e ss is fil l e d wi t h t h em and c an ,

n o l o n g e r di s t i n gu ish th e m f ro m s u ch as are t h e r e s ul t o f

se n se i m p re ssi on s t he n atu re an d s t ren gt h o f whi ch t h e y

-
,

a ccu rat e ly r e fl e c t Th en we reach t h e s t age o f h all u cin a

.

t i o n s and d e li ri um Fi n ally i n t he l ast s t ag e c om e s

.
, ,

e cs t asy whi ch Ri b o t c alls t he ac u t e f orm o f t he e ffor t

,

1
Am gst t h w i d t l s
on dg A ll P i e e r ti tl d Ba e i of E ar an oe s on e e n e er en c e ,

in whi h t h h ppy m t l di s d ss o i t d wi t h t h h bi t f tt ti
c e un a en a or er a c a e e a o a en ve

an d . ti
con t m pl t i f s m t i fli g bj t
n u ou s c on e i m p t nt s u bj t
a on o o e r n o ec or u n or a ec

l d t o s qu s pl t wi t h t h m t p i ful h
ea s o c n e en c e reT hi s s t a g
e e e os a n o rr or . r n e

s t y di spl yi g
o r , i s i gh t i t
a nt i n u h l t hy ph s
r ar e n f m t l n o a c er a n ea a e o en a

a ct i vi t y i p t ly s ugg st i v f t h b m l s ul t s whi h t i Y gi
, s a e e o e a n or a re c cer a n o

p t i s m u s t ft l d t
ra c ce o en ea o.

M 177
 TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S
, , A N D S AI N T S O F I ND IA
’
a ft er i t y o f co n sci o u sn e ss
un I n e cstasy t he e xci t ed par
.
"

o f t h e b rai n wo rks wi t h s u ch vi o l e n c e t h at i t s u pp re ss e s

t h e f u n cti on i n g o f all t h e r e s t o f t h e b r ai n The e cs t at ic .

s u bj e ct is c om pl et ely i n s e n sibl e t o e xt e rn al s t im u li .

There is n o p erc e p t i on n o re p re s en t at i on n o g ro u pi n g of
, ,

p re s en t at i on s i n t o c on c e p t s an d of c on c e p t s i n t o j u dgm en t s
,

an d r e as oni n g A sin gl e p re s en t ati on or grou p o f p re s en ta

.

ti on s fil ls u p co n sci ou sn e ss The s e p re s en t ati on s are o f

.

e x t r e m e di s t i n ctn e ss an d cl e arn e ss Con sci ou sn e ss is as .

,

it were fl oode d wi th t he bli n di n g light o f m i d d ay Tuere

,
-
.

t h ere f or e t ak e s pl ac e e x a c t ly t h e re ve r s e o f wh at h as b een
n o t ic e d i n t h e c as e o f t h e o rdi n ary m ys t ic The e cs t at i c .

stat e is ass o ci ate d with e xtr em ely i n t en s e e m o t i o n s i n

whi ch t he hi gh e s t bliss is m i xed wi t h p ai n fl hese .

e m o ti o n s a cc o m p an y e v e ry s t r on g an d e xc e ssiv e f un ct i o n

i n g o f t he n er ve c ells e v e r y e xtra ordi n ary an d i ol e n t

-
,
i

de c om p o si t i on o f n e rv e n u t rim en t The fe e li n g o f ol u p
-
.
r

t u ou sn e s s is an e x am pl e o f t h e ph e n om en a a ccom pan li n g
e xtr aor di n ary d e co m p o s i t i o n s i n a n e r v e c e ll I n h e al t hy -
.

p ers on s t he s e xu al n er ve c en t re s are t he onl y on e s which

-
,

c on fo rm ably with th ei r fu n cti on s are so di ff eren t i ate d an d ,

s o a d apt e d th at th e y e x er cis e n o u n if o rm o r l as t i n g activi t y ,

b u t for by far t h e gre at e st p ar t o f t he t i m e are p e rf e c t ly

, ,

tran qui l stori n g u p l arg e qu ant i t i e s o f n u tri m en t i n or de r

, , ,

du ri n g v e ry sh ort p e ri o ds to de co m p o s e t hi s s u dde nl y an d
, ,

as it w e r e e xplosiv e ly
,
E very n er ve c en tre whi ch o p erat e s
.
-

i n t his way wo ul d p ro cure u s vol u ptu ou s e m oti on ; b u t

p re cis e ly am on g h e al t hy p ers on s t h ere are e xc e p t t he ,

s e xu al n erv e c en tre s n o n e whi ch are c om p elle d t o act i n

-
,

t hi s m ann e r i n or d er t o s e rv e t he p ur p o s e o f t he o rg ani s m
,
.

Am on g t h e d e ge n erate on t he c on t rary p art i cul ar m orbidly

, ,

e xcit e d b rai n c en tre s Op e rat e i n t his way an d t h e e m o t i o n s

-
,

o f d eli gh t which a cc o m p an y t h e i r e xplosiv e a c t ivi t y a re

m o re p o w e rf u l th an s e x u al f e e li n gs i n p ro p or ti on as t h e ,

b rai n c en tre s are m ore s en sitive t h an t h e s u b ordi n at e a n d

-

m ore sl u ggish spi n al c en t re s On e m ay c om pl e t e ly b e

.

li e ve t h e a ss u ran c e s of g re at e cs t at ics s u ch as S t There s a , .

,

a M o h am m e d an I g n at i u s L o y ol a th at t h e bliss a cc o m p any
, ,

i n g th ei r e cs t at ic visi on s is u n lik e an ythi n g e ar t hl y an d ,

al m o s t m ore t h an a m o rt al can b e ar This l at ter sta t e .

I 7 8
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS OF I NDIA
sh o uld i n t he i nn er glorio u s world o f his own i m agini n gs
, ,

fi n d h i m s e lf ( t h a t is hi s o w n s o u l ) i n, co m pl e t e uni o n with
t he U ni v e r s al S pi rit .

Th u s far at an y rat e Yogai sm is qu ite i n t e lli gibl e ;

, ,

b u t t he p re te n si on s of t he Yogi s t o s u p e rhu m an p o we r
h ave n o j u s t ific at i on wh ate ver an d h ave for ag e s b ee n a ,

fer t il e so ur c e of p rofit abl e i m p o st ure m o s t d e tri m en tal to

t he h e althy d e ve l o p m e n t o f t h e I n di an p e o pl e 1
.

S i n c e all re ligi on s phil o s ophi e s an d sci e n c e s whi ch , ,

h ave s e cu r e d wid e acc eptan c e n ee d for th eir c on t inu al ,

e xis t e n c e i n e ach s u cc ee di n g age to b e i n t e rpr e t e d as far

as possibl e u t o t h e l e v e l o f t he n ew id eas an d i n c reas e d

p
kn o wl e dge o f t he ti m e s we m ay e xp e ct th at t he s am e ,

s ervic e has b e en p e rf orm e d for Yoga Vi dya .

Wh at c an b e d on e by an arden t advo cate t o e xpl ai n ,

i n t h e ph ras eol o gy an d by t he light of m o d ern sci e n tific

,

facts an d t h eori e s t h e e xt re m e ly cru de an d visio n ary

,

n o ti on s o f t h e Yogi s m ay b e l e arn e d by a p e ru s al of t he
,

l e ctu re s of S wam i Vive k an an d a on Rafa yoga d elivere d at -

,

New Yo r k i n 18 95 9 6 — ?

I n t h e s e l e ct ur e s are give n with t he ai d o f t he m odern ,

con c e pti on s o f vib rat i on s wave m oti on s e l e c t ric al cu rren ts , , ,

an d so f o rth a st at em e n t o f t h e r at i o n al e o f Yoga Vi dya

, ,

which is i n g e ni ou s if n ot c on vi n ci n g I n thi s c o n t e m .

p o r a r
y e l u cid a t i o n o f y g
o a sci e n c e w e fi n d t h e S us u m n a

n adi id e n t ifi e d wi th t he spi n al c or d an d t h at t he two ,

o t h e r m o st i m po r t an t o rg an s o f t h e b o dy ar e t h e b rai n

( s a h as r d r a t h e , th ou s a n d p e t all e d ) a n d t h e m u ld-
d h d ra

pl e xu s t he l at te r t ri an gul ar i n f o rm an d situ at e d at t he
,

b as e o f t he vert e b ral c ol um n b ei n g t he s e at of t he ,

k u n da li n i a m ys t e ri ou s r e s e rv oi r o f p en t u p f o r c e which
,
-
,

is t h u s d e fin e d : t he c oil e d u p t he sle e pin g D ivi n e powe r ,

”
i n all b e i n gs The ai m an d o bj e ct o f all t he yoga
.

p rac t ic e s is accordi n g t o t he S wam i t o s u cc e ssfu lly t ap

, ,

t hi s r e s e rv e o f f or c e t hrou gh t he su s u m na (which is ,

n at ur ally cl o s e d an d c an b e Op en e d by t h e Yogi s o nl y ) ,

1 In an ot h er b o ok h v d s i b d th
I a e e cr e e c om pl t di m fi t ur
e e sco e an d

e xp s u t m y k
o re, o no wl dg f
e f th se, o on e o e e Y gi p t d s t
o sup
re en er o er

t
n a u ra l p w —I d i o er . n an L i fe, R el i gi o u s a nd S oc i l pp 3 6—
a , 41 . .

2
Lo n gm an s Co .
, Lon d on .

18 0
 A S CE T I C S E CT S AN D T H E I R S U B D I VI S I O N S

c au si n g t he sto re d u p e n ergy o f t he k u n dali n i thu s se t

-
,

free by t he Yogi s p ractic e s to flow i n t o t he b rai n Wh en

’
, .

t hi s di fli c ul t fe at is a cc om plish e d sam adhi or a s u p e r , ,

c on scio u s state is re ache d i n whi ch n o m ore will yo u

, ,

n ee d t o o t o b o o ks for kn o wl e dg e ; y ou r o wn m i n d will
g
”
h ave b e c om e y our b ook c on t ain in g i n fin ite kn owl e dge .

’
H o we ver e difyi n g S wam i j i s e xpl an at i on s m ay b e i t -
,

i s t o say t h e l e ast r ath er c u ri ou s t h at t h e Yogi sh ou ld

, ,

de rive his t ran sc en de n t en li ghtenm ent from an organ i n t he

n e i ghb ou r h oo d o f t h e c o c c e al s
yg .

L e avi n g t h e s e p ur ely i m agi n ary an at o m ic al an d physi o

logic al d e t ai ls we m ay profit ably turn ou r at t en t i on t o a
,

c o n siderat i on o f t he a ct u al re sul ts of t he worki n g o f t he

syste m kn own as Yoga Vi dya an d i n d oi n g so sh all fi n d ,

t h at h o we ve r p ro fo un d m ay b e t h e d e si r e o f t he Yogi for
t h e un i on of hi s so ul h e reaf t e r o r i n t h e p re s e n t li f e
, ,

wi t h t he Al l S pi rit his o wn n at ur e crave s i m p or t un ately

-
,

for a dvan t ag e s l e ss r e m o t e l e ss t r an sc e n d e n t an d , in ,

r e sp o n s e t o t his d e si re t he s c i e n c e o f b re ath i e t he
, , . .

r e g ul at i o n o f t h e ci r c ul at i o n o f t h e a n as an d t at was has
p r , ,

i n t h e h an ds o f t he t e a ch ers r e s ul t e d i n t he u s u al chi ldi sh ,

d e v e l o p m e n t s an d gro ss i rr ati on ali t i e s o f which H i n dui sm

a ffo r d s s u ch am pl e e vid e n c e .

20 A k n owl e dg e m ore s e cre t th an t he sci e n c e o f

.

b re ath w e al t h m o re u s e fu l th an t he sci en c e of b re ath

, ,

was n e v e r s e e n o r h e ard o f .

21 An e n em y is kill e d d uri n g t h e p owe r o f t he

.

b re ath an d als o fri e n ds are b rou ght t oge the r ; we al t h i s

,

g o t d ur i n g t h e p o w e r o f b r e ath a n d c o m f o r t an d re p u t a ti o n ,

du ri n g t he s am e .

52 An y ch ari t y given by t he wis e whi l e t he b re ath

.

is i n t he l e ft n o stril m ul tiplie s k rores u p on k rores o f,

1

tim e s i n thi s wo rld .

53 L e t t he Yogi l o o k i n t o his f a c e wi t h on e mi n d
.
,

an d wi t h a t t en t i on
m o t i on o f t h e su n 2
an d t h u s l e t hi m
, kn o w e n t i re ly t he
an d t h e m oon
?

1
Ak r o re e qu l s t
a en lli s
mi on .

2
Th e s u n an d m oon h f d
er e r e e r r e to are c e r t ai n subt l u e c rr en t si n t he
hu m an b dy i fl u
o n en c e d by t h l u m i e n ar i e s n am e d , and ls
ar e a f
o re e rr e dt o

as pos i ti v e an d n ega t i ve .

18 1
TH E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
54 . Le t hi m m e di t ate po n t h e tatwa wh en t he
u

pr ana is c a lm ne v er , wh en i t is di stur b e d ; his de sire

will b e ful fil l e d an d ,
he will h ave gr e at b en e fit an d
victory .

55 Toft ho se m en who p ra ctis e an d thu s alw ays k e e p

.
,

t he s u n an d m o on i n p r o p e r or d e r k n owl e dg e of t h e p ast ,

an d t h e f u t u r e b e c o m e s as e asy as if t h e y w e r e i n th e i r

h an d .

225 I n di st an t w arf are t he m o o n is vict ori ou s i n

.
,

n e ar pl ac e s t he su n Wh e n t he fo ot rais e d fir st i n .

g oi n g b el on gs to t he fl owi n g nadi c om pl e te s u cc e ss is ,

t he r e s ul t .

226 I n b egi n n i n g a j o urn e y i n m arri ag e i n e n te ri n g

.
, ,

an
y t ow n et c i n all au spici o u s a cts t h e flow o f t h e m oo n
, .
, ,

is go o d .

’
227 P u t t i n g t he e n e m y s arm y t o w ards t he e m pty
.

’
n a di ,
an d o n e s o wn t o w ar ds t h e f u ll whe n t he tatwa is ,

c on g e ni al on e m ight c o n qu er t he wh ol e w orld
, .

228 L e t m e giv e b attl e i n t he di r e c t io n towards

.

which t he b re ath fl ows victo ry i s c ertai n e v e n if I n dra ,

b e i n fro n t .

3 06 G oi n g t o a l on e ly pl ac e an d st an di n g wi t h t he
.

b ack t ow ards t he s u n let a m an l o ok with att en ti on i n t o ,

t h e n e ck o f t he sh ad e h e t hr ows on t he gro un d .

3 07 Le t hi m se e thi s for as l on g a t im e a s h e c an
.

’
c al m ly re p e at t he w ords 0m Kram parabrahm an n am ah , ,

for 108 t i m e s The n l e t hi m l o o k u p i n to t h e sky H e

. .

will t h u s see S h an k ara (t he figure o f a b e i n g c ap abl e o f

app e ari n g i n m an y c o l o ur s )
1
.

3 08 By d oi n g t hi s for six m o n ths t he Yogi b e c om e s

.
,

t h e l o rd o f th o s e wh o w alk o n e art h ; by t wo ye ar s h e
b e c om e s abs ol u t ely i n de p en den t an d hi s o wn m as t e r .

309 H e o b t ai n s t he k n o wl e dge o f t he t hr e e t i m e s
.

an d great bliss The re is n o thi n g i m possibl e for t he

.

c on st an t p ract is er o f yoga .

3 28 Wh en t h e m ou th n o s e e y e s an d e ar s are s t opp e d
.
, , ,

by t he fi n ger s t he tat was b e gi n t o t ak e t h e ir ris e b e fore

,

t h e e ye s .

1
Thi s p oi n t
h as b een f
re e rr e d t o i n m y I ndi an L i fe, R el i gi ou s a nd

S oci al , pp . 4 1, 42 .

18 2
T H E MY S TI C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
topography of h e av en T hi s o f co urs e s e tt l e s t he m at te r .
, , .

I t is m ani f e stly i m p o ssible for an y m an to d e scrib e h eav en

” 1
u n l e ss h e h as b ee n th e re t o s ee .

The i n st an c e s ab o v e ci t e d w e r e all p u blic p erf orm an c e s ;

an d I m ay ad d t h at Yogi s h av e alw ays b e e n giv e n m or e ,

t h an o th e r Hi n d u s e ct ari an s t o e xhi biti on s i n te n d e d t o ,

i m p re ss t he p e o pl e an d wi n th e i r adm i rat i on .

S o s t r on g h as t hi s t e n d en cy b e en th at it will b e
withi n t he m em ory o f m an y th at as m e n t i on e d i n , ,

a p r e vio u s ch apt e r a fe w y e ar s a o a P u n j abi o n e B av a

g , ,

L ach m an Das p ro fe ssi n g t o b e a Yogi g av e a n u m b e r

, ,

of e xhibi t i o n s at t he We s t mi n s t e r A q u ari u m of hi s
w on de rful skill as a p o stur is t e lici t i n g a g o od d eal o f ,

a t t e n t i on o n a cco u n t o f t h e stran g e an d s e e m i n gly i m

possibl e f e at s he p e rf orm e d i n c on t orti n g hi s arm s an d

l e gs i n t o m os t gr ot e squ e an d u nn at ural p o si t i on s .

We h ave thu s far c on sidere d t he doct rin e s an d pre

ten si on s o f t he Yogi s ; it rem ain s n ow t o give s o m e par
t i cu l ars ab ou t t he origin an d w orki n g o f t he s e c t as s u ch .

O f t he Yogi s e ct as i t n ow e xis t s on e Mah an dran at h was

p rob ably t he re al foun der t h ou gh t h e fam e o f hi s discipl e ,

Gorak n ath wh o is iden t ifi e d wi t h S iva hi m s e lf

,
h as ,

e clips e d t h at of t h e m aster O f Gorak n at h n o thin g .

au t h e n t ic is kn o wn th ou gh his n am e is ass o ci at e d wi t h ,

l e gen ds d atin g from a rem o t e p ast to c om p arat ively

?
m o dern tim e s

1
Ci vi l an d M i l i tary Gaz ette L ah or e May 18 9 5 , , .

2
An d h ere d d i fi d Hi du t h
m en t i o n m a y b e m a e d of a mo e rn e e n e ac er

or s g a m d e, N h na s id t h v g
e Go r a k h f m I di i t
a t , wh o i s
-
a o a e on e ro n a n o

N p l d i w shi pp d t h
e a , an w ll
s t G
or kh p d t h u gh u t
e e r e as e as a or a -
o or a n ro o

t h Pu j b
e V y li t t l i k w b u t h i m
n a . er d h b l gs m t
e s no n a o , an e e on or e o

H i d i sm t h
n u t B u ddh i s m S m an
y th t h w
o t mp y f . o e sa a e a s a c on e o r ar o

K bi ( 14 8 8
a r d di g t J m d k hi h an h d , a c c or n o a ana s , e on ce a an

i t vi w wi t h N
n er k th f u d
e f th S i kh s t
an a Su h l g d y
, e o n er o e ec . c e en ar

acco u ts n u t asw pp d i m u h m ys t y O l g d
ar e c rr e n ar e ra e n c er . ne e en

d s i b s hi m
e cr b f m l t u s O t h s d s i b hi m
e as o rn t h t hi d
ro a o . er e cr e as e r

or f u t h i s i s f S i v t h s d t h f u d f t h K ph t s t
o r n a er e o a a eac er ,
an e o n er o e an a a ec

of Y gi Th
o m k bl t h i g b u t h i m i t h t h s u
s . e re ar d d i h i vi g
a e n a o s a e c ce e e n ac e n

an e x t di y d g r a or f p pul i t y m
n ar g N t h Hi dus d m g
e ree o o ar a on or er n n an a on

s m dh t s f B u ddh i s m i N p l Hi t m b i i t h P u j b d
o e a er e n o n e a . s o s n e n a , an

h i t t hi s d y d
e s o d k i d f g d by i m m
a a s um b s f t h
or e as a n o o en e n er o e

i h bi t
n a t s f N t h W st
an I di u d t h h i ll s
o or S i M ni Wi ll i m s
-
e e rn n a n er e .
”
-
r o er a
’

B ddhi m pp 19 3 19 4
u s , .
, .

184
 A S CE T I C S EC T S AN D TH E I R S U B D IV I S I O N S

Th e fl our ishi n g e p o ch of t he S am k hya yoga

m o st -
.

b el on gs ”
s ays Profe ss or We b er
,
m o s t p ro b ably t o t h e
,

fi rst c en t uri es of our era t he in flu en ce i t e xercis e d u p on ,

t he de ve l op m e n t of Gn o st icism i n A si a Mi n or b ei n g nu
m istakabl e ; whil e furt h er b o t h t hrou gh t hi s ch ann e l an d ,

afte r war ds di r e c t ly als o i t h ad an i m p ort an t i n flu e n ce

,

u p o n t h e gr o wt h o f t h e S ufi

The Yogi s as we fin d t h em at t he pre s en t t im e pay

e sp e ci al re s p e c t t o S i va wh o is re g ar d e d by so m e o f t h em
,

as t he first Yogi an d t h e y als o h on o u r Bh ai r on o r Bh ai r ava

, ,

a god o
?
r d e m ig o d u s u ally re p re s e n t e d
, pict ori ally wi t h
a cl u b i n on e h an d a b ott l e i n t h e o t h e r , an d a d o
g i n ,

at t en d an c e at his heels M em b er s o f all cast e s m ay

.

b e c om e Yogi s The re a re s e ve ral su b orders b u t t he

. ,
-
,

m ore p rom i n e n t of t he s e ap pear t o b e t he Jogeeshu rs

o r Kanphat i s an d t he A u gurs o r Oghars Al l Yogi s we ar .

r o s ari e s of ru dr ak sh a b erri e s The y e at m e at an d drin k .

,

ard e n t spir i t s ; i t is i n d e e d r e qu i r e d o f th e m t o d o s o
!
an d ,

t h e re s ul t , i n m an y c as e s is t he f orm at i on o f h abi t s o f ,

in e b ri et y Yogi s when cl o t he d at all we ar o ran ge yello w

.
, ,
-

garm en t s The y h ave t he ir h ai r pl ait e d wi t h thr e ads

.

o f bl ack w o o l an d c oil e d o n t h e t o f t h h d Th y
, p o e e a e .

d o n ot cre m at e b u t b ur y t h e ir d e ad i n a s i t ti n g p o st ur e
,

facin g t he n ort h The Kanphat i s we ar e ar rin gs (m u ndra)

.
-
,

o ft e n h u g e on e s m ad e o f j ad e gl ass or e ve n wo od b y
, , , ,

whi ch token t he y m ay b e re adil y re c ognise d The i r ;

s e ct n am e s en d i n n ath
-
.

Th e Au gurs or Oghars who s e s e ct n am e s e n d i n dds ,

-
,

are u su ally r e cr u i t e d fro m t he l o we st c ast e s an d d o n ot ,

s e em t o c om m an d t he re sp e ct of t he p e ople The Au gar .

d o e s n ot wear e ar rin gs b u t u s u ally carri e s a nadh or

-
,

sm all w oo d en pip e s u sp e n d e d fr o m hi s n e ck by a bl ac k
t hr e ad Thi s pip e h e s ou n ds i n t he m orni n g an d i n t he
.

e v e ni n g an d als o, b e fore e at in g o r drin ki n g an y t hi n g .

Yogi s o ften ke e p d ogs .

A Yogi i s sho wn i n t he illu st rat ion Fig 10 lightl y , .

,

cl ad sm e are d wi t h ashe s an d we arin g t he n adh su sp en de d

, ,

from hi s n e ck B e side s t he g ods S iva an d Bhairava

.
,

Yogi s pay e s p e ci al hon ou r t o ni ne n aths or i m m ort al

1
I n di an L i ter atu re, p . 23 9 .

185
T H E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D
, , S A I NTS OF I N D I A
s ain ts who dwell
,
at ea e s in t he i n acc e ssible fastn e ss e s
o f t he Hi m al ayas . Th eir n am e s are

1 Gorak n at h
. . 6 . G opi n ath .

2 . Machan de rn at h . 7 . Pran n at h .

3 . Ch arpu t n at h . 8 . S urat hn at h .

4 . Man galn at h . 9 . Cham b an at h .

5 Ghu gon fit h
. .

Th e y als o h old i n sp e ci al v en erati on eighty f our S i ddhas -

o r p e rf e ct Yogi s s o m e o f wh o m are b e li e ve d t o b e s t i ll
,

u p on t he e ar t h The disti n ct iv e e m bl e m o f t he S i ddha

.

wo rshipp e rs is a si lver si nghi or cyli n dric al orn am en t

” 1
worn on a thr ead rou n d t h e n e ck .

Yoga wi t h its p ra c t ic e s an d p re t en si on s has re c en t ly

, ,

b e en at trac t i n g atten t i on ou t side I n di a an d t he Nd ths ,

an d S i ddhas j u st re f e rr e d t o t he i m m ort al m e n go ds o f ,
-

t h e Yogi s h av e p rob ably b e en t he p r ot o typ e s of t he

,

w o n de rfu l M ahatm as of c ertai n E u ro p e an an d Am eric an

th e o s o phi sts o f ou r d ay .

There is n o d e n yi n g t he fact th at yoga is p ractis e d

by m an y e arn e s t m e n of u n qu e sti on ably hi gh ch arac t e r ,

e t u n f ortu n at e ly it c an n o t b e affi rm e d o f a m aj ori t y o f

y , ,

t he t w e n t i e t h c en t u ry Yogi s who i n t h e g u is e of asc e t ics

-
,

p e re gri n ate t he c oun try livi n g on t he pi ou s cr edu li t y of ,

t he m ass e s t h at t h e y ar e an yt hi n g b e tte r th an ign oran t

,

worthl e ss i m p o stors an d e ve n d an gerou s ch arac t e rs

,
.

1
Censu sR epor t of the P u n j ab, 189 1, by E D M
. . acla g an , p . 115
.

186
 C H A P TE R VIII — con ti n ue d

S E CTI O N IV .
—Vai shn a va s
S ect s v s
S ri Va i hn a a , Ma d h av a s R am an an i
, ds ,

K bi
a r P an t h i s , B all av a c h ar yas, an d Ch ai t an i t e s .

H E s e ct s n ow t o b e n ot ic e d all
d e v ot e th e m s elve s sp e ci ally t o
t he wor shi p o f Vish n u b u t di ffer ,

fro m o n e an ot h er p ri m arily i n
p ayi n g ad or at i on t o hi m i n hi s
h u m an i n c arn at i on s ei t h e r as
R am a ch an dr a o r as K rishn a As .

a r u l e t h e y are all v e ge t ari an s .

an d abs t ai n fro m spi ri t s .

R am a wo r shi pp er s m ay or
m ay n o t ass o ci at e his c on so rt
S it a with th ei r god . Kr ishn a worshi pp e r s u su ally adore
hi s c o n s orts o r hi s , m istre ss R adh a al on g
,
with th eir
ch o s e n dei t y .

1 The
. S ri Vai shn avas ,
as fo ll owe rs R am an u j a
of

are c all e d b e c au s e t h e y wor shi p S ri or L akshm i as t he

c on s ort o f Vishn u are fou n d alm os t e xcl u sive ly i n t h e
,

D e ccan wh ere t he y h ave flom i shi n g m on astic e st abli sh

,

m en t s .

Th e m o st m ark e d p e c u li arity o f th e s e s e ctari an s is

t h ei r scru p ul o u sn e ss i n re g ar d t o f oo d N ot hi n g m u st .

b e e at en by a R am an u j i t e th at h as n o t b e en p re p ar e d by ~

him s e lf an d i n s t rict p ri v acy Wh e n a ctu ally t aki n g hi s

.
,

m e al t h e h ou s e h o lde r Of thi s s e c t m u s t b e cl ad e i t h e r i n
'

w o olle n o r silk b u t n o t c ot t on garm en t s Th e re are t wo .

su b s e c t s
-
t he Vadaga la s an d t h e Tengalas
, On t he f ore .

h ead t he R am anu j as h av e p ain te d c ertain whi t e li n e s ,

which i n t he cas e of Vadaga las re s em bl e a W i n th at o f ,

187
 TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS OF I NDIA
t he Tenga la s Y
The y also p ain t a re d stre ak u p
a .

an d d o wn b e twee n t he whi t e li n e s M em b ers o f t his .

s e ct als o ad orn th e m s elve s wi t h p atch e s o f gopi chan dana -

an d re d li n e s on t he b re as t an d arm s Th e s e p at ch e s .

are i n t e n de d t o r e p re s e nt t he c on ch disc u s cl u b an d , , ,

l o tu s em bl e m s o f Vishn u whi l e t he re d li n e stan ds for

, ,

S ri o r L akshm i t he wif e o f Vishn u

, ,
.

N ot un co m m on l y m e m b e r s o f b o th s e x e s h ave t he s e
,

e m bl e m s b ran d e d on th eir p erso n s with red hot m et al -

s t am ps .

The ne ckl ac e s an d r o s ari e s o f t h e m en dic an t o rd e r s

are m ad e o f t u la s i wood or o f lot u s s ee ds t h e i r ro b e s are ,

d y e d o f a re ddi sh c olo ur S o m e c all th e m s e lve s dan di s . ,

an d h abitu ally c arry a staff b u t u n lik e t he S i vi t e , ,

dan di s al re ady d e scrib e d t h e y d o n ot th r o w o ff t he s acre d ,

t hr e ad .

2 M adhavas
. T his s e ct f ou n d e d as already stat e d b y
.
-
, , ,

Madhav ach arya (A D 1199 i s c o n fi n e d t o S o u t h e rn

. .

I n dia The m onk s are c elib at e s an d liv e i n m on as t e ri e s

.
,
.

Th e y we ar a sin gl e oran ge c ol oure d wr app er Li k e t he -

.

S i v i t e dan di s th e y disc ard t he s acr e d t h r e ad c arry a

, ,

staff an d a w ater po t an d sh ave t h eir h e ads Th e y als o

-
, .

b ran d u p on t h eir b reas t s an d arm s t he sym bols o f Vishn u .

The s e c t m ar k on t h e f ore h e ad is c om p o s e d o f t wo
p e rp e n di c ul ar li n e s p ai n t e d wi t h gopi chan dan a an d on e -
,

black li n e b e t we e n t h e m t r ac e d with t h e ch ar c o al o f
i n c e n s e b u rn t b e fore t he i m ag e o f Vishn u The bl ack .

li n e te rm i n ate s i n a ro un d ye ll o w sp o t o f t ur m eric Al l .

c aste s m ay b e adm itte d t o t his s e c t b u t th ei r gu ru s or ,

p r e c e p t ors ar e always B rah m an s .

3 The Ram an an di s —Thi s fl o u rishi n g Vish n u vit e s e ct

. .
,

which is sp re ad all o v er No rth ern In di a is kn o wn also ,

u n d er t h e n am e o f Ram awat o r Ram at I t was f o u n d e d .

by R am an an d s om e wh ere ab ou t t he e n d o f t h e fo ur te e n th
o r b e gi n n i n g o f t h e fif t ee n t h c e n t ury
1
.

All Ram a n an di s b e ar o n t he ir f orehe ads t he di st in guish

i n g Vishn u s e ct m ark t he tri fa la whi ch c on sists o f th ree , ,

1
Pr o f sse or H H
. . Wi ls on , S k et ch f
o the R el i gi ou s S ects o f the H i n du s ,
p . 31 .

188
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF INDIA
p ro ce ss of l eve lli ng u p to t he hi gh e r strata i n t he c ast e
sys t e m .

A s a h e ad coveri n g t he B ai ragi o ft en u s e s a Ram n am

-

k a s afa whi ch is a pi e c e o f c o tt on cl o th wi t h t he n am e s
,

o f R am a an d S i t a st am p e d on i t an d u s u ally o bt ain e d fr om ,

M u ttra or B i n drab un .

B ai ragi s are s u pp o s e d t o b e c e lib at e s b u t t he m on ks ,

o f t his or d e r h ave g en erally a l arg e n um b er o f n un s

a t t ach e d to t h e i r co n v e n t s wi t h wh om th e y o p en ly liv e as ,
” 1
m an an d wife .

A m o s t e l abo rat e rit u al h as b ee n l aid d own fo r t he

g uidan c e of B ai ragi s i n t he d aily r ou t i n e o f t he i n di sp e n s abl e
b u sin e ss an d d u ti e s o f life p re scribin g i n m i n u t e de t ail h o w
, ,

for e x am pl e t h e asc e t i c sho ul d w ash b at h e sit d own

, , , ,

p e rf orm pran ayam (s t o pp ag e or re g ul at io n o f re spi rat i on ) ,

p urify hi s b ody p u rg e hi s mi n d m e ditate on Vishn u re p e at

, , ,

t h e G ayatri as c om p o s e d for t h e sp e ci al u se o f m e m b e r s of t h e
s e c t w orshi p R am a S i t a L akshm an Bh arata an d S at ri ngah
, , , , , ,
’
t og e th er wi t h R am a s bows an d arrows an d l as t ly t he , , ,

?
m on k e y go d H an um an
S o m an y Obs erv an c e s are p re scrib e d an d so m u ch
re p e titi on is e n j oi n e d t h a t it is e vid e n t t h at t he o bj e ct i n

vi e w was to giv e t h e B ai ragi e n ou gh t o fu lly o cc u py his

t h o u gh t s an d his w aki n g h our s O f c o ur s e t h e m ys t ic .

u ni on o f t h e w o r shi pp e r with hi s d e ity i s an o bj e ct k e pt

p rom i n e n t ly b e f ore hi m i n th e s e r eligi o u s e xer ci s e s e sp e ci ally ,

i n hi s m e di t at io n s an d h e is r e qu i re d t o re alis e th at R am a
,

an d hi m s elf ar e one n o t t wo Th e B ai ragi is e xp e ct e d t o pay

, .

at l e as t on e visi t t o D w ark a i n o rd e r t o b e b ran d e d o n his

right arm with t h e Vish n u sy m b ols—t h e disc u s t h e c on ch , ,

t h e cl u b an d t h e l o tu s
, .

4 The Ka bi r P an thi s — K abi r h avi n g p r actic ally r e

. .

c om m en de d hi s f oll owe rs t o b e all thi n gs t o all m en an d ,

t o c on cili at e t he wo rld at l arg e by o u t ward c on f ormi t y wi t h

p re vailin g c u sto m s it has c om e ab ou t qui t e n atu rally t h at
, , ,

1
H i nd u Cas tes a n d S ec ts , Dr J by N Bh tt h j p . . . a ac ar e e , . 44 5 .

2
hs y
Th e i t or o f t e e e r on a e , hs p s gs t d i th f as n a rr a e n e am o u s S an s k r i t
e p y
i c t h e R a m a an a , h as ee n e i t o m i b p s d i my G t I di e n r ea n an E p i cs (Ge o r g e

B lle S on , L on on ) s d .

19 0
 A S CE T I C S E CT S A ND TH E I R S U B D I VI S I O N S
t he Kabi r P an t hi s have n o di st in ct ive dre ss or c e re m oni e s .

A s far as t he y d o affe c t p e cu li ari t i e s o f any kin d t he y ,

f ollow th o s e o f t he Ram a ts we ari n g t u las i b e ads an d h avi n g

,

t h e tri fa la p ai n t e d o n t h e i r f or e h e ads M o n ks of t hi s s e ct .

m ay b e m e t wi t h all o ver N ort h e rn an d C en t ral I n di a .

I t wou ld s e e m t h at t h e K abi r P an thi s h old i n ,

o pp o si t i o n t o t he g e n e r ally a cc e p t e d H in d u id e as t h at ,

t h e Cre at or h as b o dy f o rm e d o f t he fi v e e l e m en t s o f
m att er, an d t h at H e h as m i n d e n d ow e d with t h e thre e
u n as or q u aliti e s o f b e i n g —o i c o ur s e o f i n e ffa bl e p u ri t y
g ,

an d i rre sis t ibl e p owe r ; H e is fre e fr om t he de fe cts o f

hu m an n at u e s an d c an assu m e wh at p art i cul ar sh ap e H e
r
,

will i n all o t h e r re sp e ct s H e do e s n o t di ffe r fr om m an an d ,

t h e p u re m an t h e S adh of t he K ab i r s e c t is H is livi n g
, ,
” 1
re s e m bl an c e an d af t e r d eat h is His ass o ci at e an d e q ual
, .

5 The B allavacharyas w e ll k n o wn i n We st e rn In di a
.
, ,

wo rshi p B al a G o p al a t he c owh erd b oy All Hin du s , . ,

S udras i n cl u de d m ay j oin t he s e ct b u t m e n o f t he l o we st
, ,

c aste s s u ch as dhobi s (washe rm e n ) m ochi s (sh o e m aker s )

, , ,

darz i s (t ail ors ) an d n api t s (b arb e r s ) are n ot re c e iv e d

, ,

int o i t .

Asc e t icis m is p ra c t ic ally u n k n o wn am on gst t he B all a

vite s sin c e t h e y hold
,
t he d o c t ri n e t h at t h e S p i ri t u al
progre ss of t he s oul is p o ssibl e o nl y by ke e pi n g t he b o dy
” 2
an d i t s p o we r s i n a so un d c on di t i on T hi s bei n g t he c as e .
,

a c o n sid e r ati o n o f t h e i r p e c u li ari t i e s li e s o u tsid e t h e sc o p e

of t h e p re s e n t b o ok .

6 Th e Chai ta n i tes
.
— E ve n t h e l ow e s t cast e s are ad
.

mi tt e d i n t o t hi s s e ct Chai tan i te m e n di c an t m on ks are

.

gen erally c all e d B ai ragi s B ot h m al e s an d fe m al e s are .

ad mi tt e d t he f o rm er b ei n g add re ss e d as B ab aj i an d t h e
,

l at t e r as M at aj i Th e s e B ab aj i s an d Mat aj i s c om m onl y
.

li ve t o ge th er as h u sb an ds an d wive s t h ou gh t he f orm e r ,

a ff e c t t h e us u al g arm en t s o f a sc e t ics an d t h e l at t e r t h o s e

o f wid o ws .

I n all re li gi ou s sys t em s t h e c elib at e st at e h as wi t h ,

goo d re as on b e e n l o ok e d u p on a s on e of s u prem e
,

1
Wi ls o n ’
s R l i gi e ou s S ects f th e H i n d u s
o , p . 51
.

2
H i n d u Cas tes and S ects , by D J N
r . . . B h a t t ac harj ee, p . 4 58 .

19 1
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AND , , S AI N T S OF I NDIA
s e lf sac rifi ce an d there f o re as a h oly stat e ; b u t it is so
-
,

e n t i r e ly u nn atu r al t h at wh en em b rac e d as a rul e o f life by

,

s e cts o rd ers o r p ro fe ssi on s i t h as n e ver b e en live d u p t o

, . ,
.

Wh at steady an d p rot ra ct e d Opp osi t i on was e xp eri e n c e d

i n t h e Ch ris t i an Ch u rc h b e fo r e c e lib a cy c ou ld b e e n f orc e d
am o n gs t C h ris t i an e ccl e si as t i cs an d wh at g r o ss i m m oralit i e s ,

1
an d sc an d als c o m p u ls or y c e lib a cy l e d t o are w e ll k n o wn ,
.

”
The Chai tani te n u n s s ays Dr B hat t acharj e e are re ,
.
,

c rui t e d chi e fly f ro m t he s u p e r an n u at e d u n f o rtu n at e s o f t he

t o wn . The o rd e r is j oi n e d als o by so m e o f t h e u n ch ast e

” 2
widows of t he l ow er cl ass e s .

There are h owe v er s om e o f t he Chai t an i te B ai ragi s

, , ,

t he so c all e d B ri k at s (m e n di sg u st e d with t h e w orld ) who

-
,

p ro fe ss c e lib acy an d live i n m o n aste ri e s o f whi ch a g re at ,

m an y h av e b ee n e r e ct e d by t h e lib e r ali t y o f t h e rich e r l ay

m em b e r s o f t h e s e ct .

The dre ss w orn by t he Chai tan i te m on ks is g e n e rally

whi t e b u t a y ell ow c ol ou r is so m e t i m e s a d o pt e d
,
L ike .

o th e r Vai s hna vas t he Chai tan i tes p ai n t p e r p en di cu l ar lin e s

,

o n t h e ir f o re h e ads g e n e r ally wi t h gopi chan dan a

, t h e y als o -
,

b y m e an s of e n grav e d s t am ps di pp e d i n m oist gopi

chandana p ri n t u p on th e i r arm s an d b re asts t he n am e s
,

o f th e i r d e i t i e s an d o ft en t he wo r d gora whi ch is a ,

c orru p t io n for gou ra on e o f t h e m an y n am e s o f t h e i r

,

p roph e t Th eir ro s ari e s an d n e ckl ac e s are m ade o f b e ads

.

c u t f r om t h e t u las i pl an t whi ch is h e ld i n hi gh v e n era ,

t i on by t h e m .

Th e Chai t an i tes are strict v e g e t ari an s an d av oid t he ,

u se of all i n t o xic an t s Th e y are r e qu ire d t o abst ai n

.

f ro m c om m u n i on wit h t hos e H i n du s who o ffer an i m al

?
s acrific e s
Th ere are am on gs t t he f oll owers o f Ch aitan ya vari ou s
s u b s e c t s w e ll kn o wn for t h e i r i m m o rali t i e s
-
For e x am pl e .
,

t h e S pashta Dayak as am on gs t wh om t he m on ks an d n u n s
.

l i ve t og e t h er i n t he s am e m on as t eri e s wi t h re s ul t s whi ch ,

1
On t i u h s s bj
e c t Mr H C Lea . . . s full
’
an d l earn e d w o rk , S a cerd otal
Cel i ba cy, i s r o a p b bly
t he e t o n e i n En bs gli sh .

2
H i nd u Cas t es a nd S ects , 467 p . .

3
War H i ndus ,
’
ds 125, 126 pp . .

19 2
 —
C H A P TE R V I I I con ti n u e d
S E CT I ON V
.
—
Th r ee S ik h M di en can t Or d er s : U d a s i s , Ni r m al i s , Ak li s a .

N t he l as t ch apt er t d t he m ore I no e

e ss e n ti al ch ara ct e ristics of S i k hi s m ,

an d als o t he f a ct t h at at t h e p re s e n t

t i m e i t is m anif e s t i n g a t e n d en cy ,

r e al if h ar dl y p e r c e ptibl e to re ,

ad o pt m an y o f t he p r actic e s o f
Hi n d uis m o u t o f whi ch i t gradu
,

ally e m e rg e d i n t h e fif t e e n th six ,

t een t h an d s e v e n t e e n t h c en tu ri e s
, ,

u n der t he s t i m u l u s o f p o litic al
co n diti on s which h ave lo n g si n c e
c eas e d t o e xist .

O f t h e m en dic an t ord ers which

spran g o u t o f S i k hi s m I h ave
s el e c t e d t he Udasi s Ni rm ali s an d , ,

Ak ali s for n o t ic e h ere m ore e speci ,

ally on a cc ou n t of t h e p e c u li ar an d

pic t ur e squ e circu m s t an c e s t o which

t h e l at t e r t wo o we th ei r b e gi n
ni n gs .

The Udas i s d er of.

1 -
This or

s adhu s which is an e xtre m ely

,

n u m e r o u s o n e i n t h e P u n j ab was ,

f ou n de d by S i ri Ch an d e ld e s t s o n ,

o f B ab a N an ak S i ri C h an d live d.

t o se e t h e six t h S i k h gu ru H ar ,

G o vi n d an d wh e n h e was o ver a
, ,

hun dre d ye ar s old h e ad op t e d ,

1
U da s i ! gi f dj
r e , e e c t i on .

1 94
 A S CE T I C S EC T S AN D TH E I R S U B D I VI S I O N S

G urdi t t a a s on o f t he l ast n am e d guru t o s u cc e e d hi m as

,
-
,

a bbot of t h e o r d e r o f t h e Udas i s B u t G u r di t ta b ei n g a .
,

sp orti n g ch aracte r an d a m arri e d m an was di squ alifi e d ,

fr om b e i n g a p rop er h e ad of t h e b roth erh oo d H e t he re .

f ore m ade o ve r t h e spiritu al l eade rshi p o f t he or der t o

f our m e n wh o were t o ac t as hi s m osands or d e p u ti e s an d ,

t h e s e f o ur b e c am e t h e f ou n d er s o f t he f o ur p ri n cip al s u b
or ders c all e d dhu ans or h e arths i n t o whi ch t he Udasi s
, , ,

are di vid ed .

’
I t i s s t at e d th at wh e n S i ri Ch au d s cl ai m s t o s u cc e e d
,

hi s f at h e r B ab a N an ak i n t h e gu rushi p w e re p ass e d ov e r
b y hi s v enerabl e p aren t i n favou r o f An gad on e o f his ,

m ost d e v ot e d f oll o w er s t h e di s appoi n t e d son t hre w ash e s

,

on his h e a d an d p e r s o n i n t ok e n of his gri e f an d ab as e

,

m e n t ; an d t o t hi s d ay t he Udas i s h old ash e s i n gre at

e st e e m i n m e m or y o f this p ai n f ul e v e n t t he ash e s for , ,

c erem oni al p u rp o s e s mi xe d with c alc are ou s e art h b ein g

!

s om e ti m e s m ade i n t o l arg e b alls s ev eral i n ch e s i n

di am e t e r .

Udasi s s lly de c en t ly cl ad i n s al m on c ol ou re d
are u ua -

cl o th e s Th e y we ar a p oi n t e d c ap o n t he h e ad an d a
.

bl ack c ord k n o wn as a salee r o un d t h e n e ck The y c ar ry .

a yholi or b ag h an gi n g f r o m t h e sh o ul d e r an d a t oom ba
'

o r d ri e d p u m pki n which s er v e s a s a w at er po t A bl ack -

.

asan or s m all c ar p e t o ft en fo rm s a p ar t o f t h e i r trav e lli n g

, ,

ou t fit . S om e w e ar a m ass o f m at t e d h ai r on th e i r h e ads ,

o t h e r s go al m o st cl e an sh ave n th ere b e in g app are n tly n o

-
,

g en eral ru l e on t hi s m at t er Th e u se o f fl e sh spi ri t s an d .
, ,

t o b a cc o is d e ni e d t o t h e Udas i s M an y m e m b ers of t he .

or de r are g o o d S an sk ri t sch ol ars When a che la is .

a d m i t t e d i n t o t h e or d e r h e is a dj ur e d t o av oi d t h o s e t wo
,

de adl y t e m p t ati on s : gold an d wom en The i ni t i at ory .

c e re m on y is b rou ght t o a c on cl u si on by t he chela dri n k in g

!

’
t he w at e r wi t h whi ch his gu ru s f e e t h av e b e e n w a sh e d .

H e i s t h e n t au ght c e rt ai n p or t i on s o f a hym n k n o wn as
t h e j ap i i an d di s m iss e d wi t h t his fi n al a d m on i t i on
-
,

h
C ar an s adh k dh e o d ho py e o

Ure p s dh k p a o a na j e yo .

(D ri n k t he wat er wi t h whi ch t he s adhu has wa she d hi s

19 5
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
fe e t ,
an d give u
p you r s oul an d body t o t he s adhu , i . s . t he

guru .
)
The N i rm ali s (t he —
p u re ) The ci r c u m s t an c e s
. un d er
which t hi s d er ori gi n at e d ar e I sh ou ld say u n iqu e I n
or , , .

A D
. . 169 1 o r t h e r e ab ou ts G o vi n d S i n gh t h e t e n t h an d
, , ,

l ast gu ru o f t h e S i k hs c el e b rat e d wi t h un u s u al p om p at ,

An an dp u r t he gay H i n du s atu rn ali a kn own as t he H oli .

Vi si t o r s w e re at t r act e d t hi t h er fro m c on sid e rabl e di s t an c e s ,

an d am o n gs t o t h e r s c am e a y ou n g an d b e au tif u l H i n d u
wid o w n am e d An u p K au r a Khatran i by c as t e an d a , ,

r e sid e n t o f L ah o r e G u ru G ovi n d S i n gh wh o was o nly

.
,

t w en ty fi v e y e ar s o f age an d a p art ic u l arly h an ds om e m an

-
,

c ap t iv at e d t h e s u sc e p t ibl e h e ar t o f t he y oun g wid ow an d ,

sh e r e s olv e d t o t ry h e r ar t s u p on hi m I t a pp e ar s t h at at .

’
t hi s p eri o d t h e chi e f o bj e ct o f Go vi n d s l i fe was t o i n d u c e ,

I m ight alm os t say com pel t h e g o dde ss D e vi t o a pp e ar t o hi m ,

an d p r omi s e hi m h e r a ssi s t an c e a g ai n s t t h e M u h am m a d an

r u l e r s o f t h e l an d wh o w e r e c arr yi n g o n a bi t t er r e ligi o u s
,

p er s e c u t i on o f t h e H i n du s F o r t h e at t ain m en t o f t he e n d .

h e h ad i n vi e w G o vi n d h ad g at h e r e d m an y B rah m an s
,

g
t o et e h r — for li k e all Hi n d u s h e b eli e v e d th at if t h e
, , ,

r opr i ate re ligi o u s c ere m o n i e s w er e c orr ect ly c arri e d o u t

a
pp ,

t h e g o dd e ss h o w e v er re l u c t an t w o ul d b e c on s t rai ne d t o
, ,

m ak e h e r app e ar an c e .

I t is w ell k n o wn t o t he Hi n du t h at b e s i d e s t h e
B rah m an s t h e re are o t h e rs who by t h e p ract ic e of p ain fu l ,

au s t eri t i e s h av e b e c o m e p o ss e ss e d o f gr e at s om et i m e s
, ,

u n li m i t e d p owe r Th e s e t h au m at ur gis t s are t o b e fo u n d

,
.

o n ly h e r e an d t h ere it is tru e am on gs t t he s adhu s o f

, ,

v ari o u s s e ct s wh o abou n d i n I n di a To t h e s adhu s .

,

t h e r e f ore G ovi n d fre qu e n t ly re s ort e d fo r a dvic e an d

,

a ssi s t an c e i n hi s e n d e av o u r s t o p r o pi t i at e t h e g o dd e ss
D e vi H avi n g c om e t o kn o w t hi s a h appy id e a e n t ere d
.
,

t h e h e ad o f t h e l o v e sick A n u p K au r S h e w o u ld p e rs on
-
.

a t e a s a dhu e n t e r i n t o cl o s e r e l at i on s wi t h G ovi n d an d , ,

i n t h e e n d at t ra c t an d e n s n ar e t h e o bj e ct o f he r p assi on
, .

I n p u r s u an c e o f t hi s pl an she di sg u is e d h e rs elf a s a ,

s a dhu an d
, b ei n g p o ss e ss e d of am pl e m ean s she e asily
, ,

s e c u r e d acc om plic e s i n her sch e m e S he t o o k u p h e r .

ab o d e at a sp o t wi t hi n a sh or t dis t an c e o f A n an dp ur an d ,

19 6
TH E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS OF I N D I A
p re ssio n on hi m an d h e wro te or m ore li kely c olle ct e d n o
, , ,

l e ss t h an fou r hu n dre d an d f ou r sto ri e s on t he wi le s o f

w om e n for t he t im ely w arni n g i t is s aid o f his si m pl e
, , ,

foll ower s .

Th e Ni rm ali s are o n t he wh ol e a l e arn e d o rd e r m u ch

, ,

giv en t o S an sk ri t st u di e s an d are f oll o wer s of t he Ve d an t a

,

phil o s ophy Th ere is a t raditi on am on gs t t h e m th at fi v e

.

o rigi n al m e m b e r s o f t he o r d er w e n t t o s t u dy S an skri t
t h e ol ogy a t B en are s b u t w er e d en i e d t h e pri vi l e g e of s u ch
,

s t u di e s by t he B rah m an s b e c au s e t h e y h app e n e d t o b e
,

S u dras by c ast e H owe ver G ur u G o vi n d S in gh ch e ere d

.
,

t he dis app oi n t e d s t u d e n t s by t h e p re dic t i on t h at t h e i r

o r d er wo ul d b e f am o u s for i t s l earn e d m e n from wh om ,

t he B rahm an s t h em s elve s w oul d b e gl ad t o re c eive

i n stru ct i on .

N i rm a li s we ar th eir h ai r l on g an d dre ss th em s elve s i n ,

re ddi sh y e ll o w g arm e n ts
-
.

1—
Th e N i han gs or Ak a li s The ci r c u m s t an c e s whi ch g av e
.

ris e t o t hi s s e ct are c onn e cte d wit h t he fligh t o f Govi n d

S i n gh fr om Ch am Ko r f am o u s i n S i k h ann als , At thi s .

pl a ce i n a littl e fo rtifi e d e n cl o s u re som e f orty S i k hs

, ,

d e fe n de d th e m s elve s ag ai n s t a l arge n um b er o f t he
Mo gul s oldi ers s en t ag ain st t hem by t he M u h am m adan
g o v ern o r o f L ah ore Wh en h ard p re ss e d by t he Im p eri al
.

t r o ops G o vi n d S i n gh dr e ss e d u p o n e o f hi s m e n i n hi s
,

o wn cl o th e s an d, l e avi n g hi m i n ch arg e of t he d efen c e

, ,

e sc ap e d s e cre tly an d al on e fr om t he b el eagu ere d post .

The pl ac e th o u gh st ou tly d e f en d e d was e ve n t u ally c ap

, ,

t u re d by t he M ogu ls b u t a fe w o f t h e b rav e d e fe n d er s
,

m an ag e d to ge t aw ay an d w e n t at o n c e i n s e ar ch o f t h e i r
,

re v e re d gu ru The y fo u n d hi m n ot far from t he vill ag e

.

o f Mac hi wara a sl e e p n e ar a w e ll
, q u ite ove r co m e wi t h ,

f at ig u e .

I n t hi s vi ll ag e G o vi n d had s om e M u sli m f ri e n ds t o ,

wh om he app e al e d for h elp i n o rde r t o c on c e al hi m s elf

from t he p u r s ui t o f t he M og ul s oldi e ry wh o w oul d n o ,

do u b t b e sc o u ri n g t he co u n t ry i n s e arch o f hi m The s e .

good fri en ds h elp e d hi m t o di sg uis e hi m s elf i n t he blu e

dre ss of a M u sli m faqu i r kn o wn abo u t thos e p arts as an ,

1
N i hang z hu m bl e . Ak al i i m m or t a l .

19 8
 A S CE T I C S E CTS AN D TH E I R S U B D I VI S I O N S

Uch k a pi r (a s ai n t o f U c h ) , s o n am e d fr o m t he vill age

o f U ch n ear M ul t an , where li ve d n u m ero u s S ayads o r
d e sce n d an t s Of t he p r oph e t Mu h am m ad
~

To m ak e t h e .

disg uis e m ore e ffe c t ive G ovi n d S in gh was pl ac e d o n a li gh t

,

b e d kn o wn as a charpai an d c arri e d al on g t h e road as an

, ,

Uch k a pi r wo u ld or di n arily b e c arri e d O f t he m en wh o .

sh ou ld ere d his charpai t wo were S i k hs a n d t wo wh o se , ,

n am e s ar e r e m e m b e re d t o t his d ay —N abi Kh an an d ,

Gh ani Kh an —were M u h am m ad an s A t hi rd S i k h was i n

,
.

at t e n d an c e f arm i n g t he ps eu d o i n Th e y h ad n o t g on e far
p
-
,

wh en t h ey w e re o ve rt ake n by t he M u h am m adan t roops ,

who l o ok e d u p on Pi r j i with s om e s u spici on

-
To t e st t he .

c as e th e s ol di ers re qu e st e d t he pi r t o p ro ve th at he was
,

wh at he p ro fe ss e d t o b e by e at in g wi t h t h e m I n re ply
,
.
,

t h e at t en d an t s s aid t h at t he h oly m an n e v e r at e an yt hi n g
at all e xc e p t p erh aps one g rai n o f b arl e y i n t h e m o n t h
, ,

b u t t h at t h e y th e m s elv e s w o u ld willi n gly e at wi t h t h e

M o gul s ; an d t he y di d so t he t hree S i k hs al on g wi t h the ir
,

two Mu slim fri en ds .

Wh en t he p art y re a che d a vill age i n h abit e d by

’
Gov i n d s own p e opl e he b ur n t a p o rt i on o f t he bl u e
,

clo t he s he h ad ass u m e d by way of di sgui s e an d t he ,

r em ai n d e r he p re s en t e d t o on e Man S i n gh a fav oui t e ,

foll ower o f his t o b e worn by hi m as t he di s t in c t ive

,

garb o f a n ew order— Ni hangs or Ak a li s— whi ch he was

au th o ris e d t o fo un d .

The Ak a li s i n c on s e qu e n c e we ar bl u e g arm en ts b u t
, , ,

t he dre ss th e y h av e ad op t e d i n whi ch t h ei r ven e rati on o f

,

warlik e weap on s fin ds e x aggerat e d e xp re ssi on is grot e squ e ,

.

At t he c om m en c e m en t o f t he s e ct i on is t h e lik e n e ss .

of a p r e s en t d a A k li i ll his w ar p ai n t which
y a n a
-
, ,

sp eaks for its e lf D u ri n g t he S i k h raj t he Ak a li s

.
,

we re t he m o s t f anat ic al f oll owers of t he c u l t of G u r u r

G ovin d S in gh an d t h ei r we ap on s were st ee p e d i n bl oo d
,

on m an y a fi er c e b at t l e fi e ld ; b u t r e d ou b t abl e t h ough ,

t hey we re t h ei r re ckl es s fan ati cis m was h ardly a

,

m at ch for t h e s t e ady co u rage of t h e Pu r b i a s e p oys ,

who t au ght t h e m and th ei r M ah araj ah R an jit S i n gh

t he s u p re m e i m p ort an ce o f tr ai n in g an d di scipli n e a ,

l e ss on which t h e as t u t e M ah ar aj ah l aid t o h e art an d ,

19 9
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S A ND , ,
S A I NTS O F I ND I A
t u rn e d t o g ood a cc o un t i n t he l at e r y e ars of his stren u ou s
li fe .
1

The m an n er s an d
c u st om s of t h e s e s e c t ari e s are as
p e cul i ar as th ei r p ers on al app e aran c e Wh e n an Ak ali is .

g oin g t o e at h e i s r e qu i re d t o sh ou t wi t h a l ou d v oic e
, ,

I s an yon e i n wan t o f a m e al an d i n t h e u n lik e ly e v e n t ,

o f an yb o dy c o m i n g f or w ar d i n re sp on s e t o this i n qu i r y h e ,

is t o s atisfy t he h u n gry stran g e r b e f ore t ou chi n g f o o d

hi m s e lf .

A t S i k h dharm sa las which are ch ap els an d re st h ou s e s

,
-

com bi n e d i t is t h e c om m on p rac t ic e o f t he Ak ali s t o

,

g at h e r idly an d e xp e ct an t ly r o u n d a l arg e s t on e m ort ar i n ,

whi ch on e o f t he p art y b u si e s hi m s e lf i n b ru isin g bh an g

( h e m p l e a v e s ) wi t h a s t ou t w oo d e n p e s t l e W h e n t h e .

l e av e s are re du c e d t o a gr e e n p ul p t hi s is m ixe d wi t h ,

wat er an d s u gar an d dru n k wi t h gre at app r e ci at i on by

th e s e f an t as t ic ally cl ad i m m ortals .

M an y Ak a li s w an d eri n g ab ou t t h e c ou n t ry i n c om for t
,

wi t h h ors e s an d c am els d o n ot h e si t at e t o ask for ,

p e cu n i ary a ssis t an ce The l ead er o f on e o f t h e s e b an ds

.

o n c e p aid m e a visit s en di n g i n t he f ollowi n g visiti n g

,

c ard
PR E M SI NGH
(NI H AN G S I N GH )
VA H I R I YA .

( O f t he p ar t y o f Ni h an gs t h at t ra v el a b uto an d h v a e no fix ed a b d
o e .
)

I b e g an t hi s
sk e t ch o f t he m e n di c an t o r ders with an
a cc o un t o f t h e h arml e ss u n obtru siv e J ai n s w an d eri n g o v e r
,

t he c ou n t r y o n f o o t c arryi n g m e r ely a b e s om
, n ot of ,

d e s t ru c t i on b u t o f u ltra t e n d e rn e ss for t h e l owly life o f

,
-

i n s e c t s an d l o wer o rgani s m s I h av e c on cl u d e d m y .

a cc o u n t by i n t ro d u ci n g t o t he r e ad er t he t r u c u l e n t bh an g

d ri n ki n g Ak a li r o vi n g ab o u t o ft en on h ors e b ack or c am e l ,

b ack b ris t li n g all ov e r wi t h w e apo n s o f war

, .

Alth ou gh t he arm e d Ak ali m ay by an o bvi ou s ,

ass o ci atio n o f id eas re c all to m i n d t he f am o u s m ilit ary

,

1
M em oi rs of Col on el A l exan der Ga rd n er , c h p
a . xi .

Z OO
 C H A P TE R I!

PER S O NA L E! P ER I E N CE S W I TH S AD H U S ,
GOO D AND BAD
1. Th e wi gi g B i g i 2 Th S y si S w m i B h k
S n n d
a ra of . . e an a a as ar a n an a

B s 3 G b D
e n ar e . U dh b h B i gi 4 A Y gi wh
. ar e e as , an r a a u a ra . . o o

p t t d A m i t s f m t h P l gu 5 A B h m h i f m t h
ro ec e r ar ro e a e . . ra ac ar ro e

T m i l C u t y 6 A S dh u f E u p D s t t S i m l 7 A
a o n r . . a o ro e an e c en a a . .

N k d S y si d h i C m p i
a e an P i ass f B 8 A S dh u
an s o an on , a r n ce o . a

of R y l Li og P i n B i B h u S i gh 9 A S dh u wh h d
a n ea e, r ce r an n . . a o a

f u d G d 10 A S w shi ppi g B i gi l l Y g i s d Pi u s
o n o . . un - or n a ra . . o an o

W m o 12 A p en d S dhu
. d hi A dv t u s
. 13 Y g i Gu s t s
se u o- a an s en re . . o e .

14 A S dh u
. R st at u 15 A S i t i Ch i s
as e au ra e r . . a n n a n .

well as light I FE WEARY -

as

hearte d sadhu s p rof e ssi on al ,

an chorit e s b o t h g oo d an d b ad ,

ar e t o b e fo u n d all o v er I n di a

t o d ay j u s t as i n tim e s p ast ;
it an d if i n t he p re v i ou s ch apte rs
I h av e s u cc e e de d at
all i n aw ak eni n g t he
’
r e ad e r s i n te re s t in
I n di an sadhus he will ,

n ot o bj e ct t o a cl os er an d as i t w e re m ore p er s on al , ,

a cqu ai n t an c e wi t h th e s e a sc e tics s u ch as is a ff or d e d by ,

t h e f oll o wi n g n arr at iv e s of a ct u al i n t erv i e ws with th e m ,

an d o f tr u stwo r thy a cc o u n ts o f t h e i r d oi n gs c are f u lly sif t e d

an d p u n ctu ally n o t e d d own by m e a s so on as t he f a c ts

were pl ac e d i n m y poss e ssi on .

1 TH E S WIN GI N G
. B AI R A GI .

N e ar
’
l arg e t an k kn own as Ratan Chau d s ta la o i n t he
a ,

n eighb o ur h o o d o f a g ro u p o f Hi n d u t e m pl e s i n L ah ore ,

an d u n d er s om e fi n e o ld p ee p u l t re e s t wo o r t hr e e h u n d re d ,

202
 P E R S O NAL EX P E R I EN CE S W I TH S AD H U S

p e opl e m os t ly H i n du s of bo t h s e xe s we re ass em bl e d on e
, ,

fi n e e ve n i n g i n N o v e m b er m o s t o f t h e m at te n t ive ly wat ch
,

i n g a p al an q u i n which h ad b e e n pl ac e d on t he hi gh
pl atfo rm of a sam ad h or c en o t aph e re c t e d t o t he m e m ory
o f a Hi n d u l ady by h er we al t hy s on The scr e e n s o f t h e .

p al an qui n we re drawn b ack b u t I c oul d s e e n othi n g ,

wi t hi n u n t il I app roach e d qui t e n e ar when I di sco v ere d ,

t he e m aci at e d figure o f an al m o st n ak e d m an si t t i n g wi t h
hi s kn e e s drawn u p ag ai n s t hi s chi n i n an at t i t u d e c om m on
e n ou gh i n I n di a b u t o n e which t h e E ur o p e an w o ul d fi n d
,

i t rat h e r di ffic u lt t o i mi t at e
-
.

D own t h e l en gt h o f t he p al an qu i n was a b o ard cl o s ely ,

s t u dd e d W i t h bl u n t i ron n ails an d i t was u p on a p or t i on ,

o f t hi s m o s t u n c om f o rt abl e b e d o f spik e s t h at t h e B ai ragi

was s e at e d and was s u pp o s e d p erh aps qu i t e c orr e c t ly t o

, , ,

sl e e p a t n ight Ab ov e t he b on y shi n s an d e xagge rat e d

.

kn ot lik e k n e e s of t hi s s e at e d figu re app e are d a hu m an

-

h e ad wi t h an im m en s e sh o ck o f h ai r li ke a chi gn on h an gin g
h eavily b ehi n d i t I t s h oll ow e ye s p e eri n g o v er a p ai r o f
.
,

green gl ass an d wire go ggl e s had a q u e er h u nt e d l ook

- -
,

ab o u t t h e m an d i t s n o s t rils s e e m e d s t ran g e ly m issh ap e n

, ,

on e b e i n g app ar e n t ly dis t en d e d wi t h s o m e s o rt o f pl u g o r

o t h er . From t his re p ul sive figu re the re p ro c ee de d from ,

t i m e t o ti m e s un dr y g u t t ur al s ou n ds an d h o ll o w c ou ghs
,
.

A fai t hful di scipl e con veni en t ly at h and e xpl ain e d t o

, ,

m e t hat his m ast e r i n t h e p al an qu i n was m ore t h an o n e

hu n dre d an d t hi rt y ye ar s o f age an d had re s olve d t o ,

u n d e rg o c ert ai n p en an ce s un til he sh oul d s u cc ee d i n

c oll e ctin g e n o u gh m on e y t o fe as t o n e hun dre d t h ou s an d
B rahm an s an d t o gi ve e ach on e o f his gu e st s t he p re s en t
,

o f at l e a st o n e ru p e e app are n t ly for b e i n g goo d e n o u gh t o

,

p art ake o f t he b an qu e t p rovide d for hi m .

A s I st oo d n ear t he p al an qu in a su cce ssi on o f m en an d

wom en m o s t ly t he l at t er m o u n t e d t he pl at form approach e d
, , ,

t h e a sc e t ic an d
, b o wi n g d own b e fo re hi m so t h at their
,

h e ads t o u che d t he very floo r pl ac e d th e ir o ffe ri n gs c on , ,

sist in g for t h e m os t p art o f pi c s o r o f s m all silver c oin s ,

b e fore t he h oly m an This do n e t h ey p ass e d o n wi t h ou t

'
.
,

an au dibl e w ord t h o u gh so m e sil en t wish o r p rayer was

,
’
n o d ou b t i n e ach o n e s h e ar t The s ai n t di d n ot c on .

2 03
TH E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I ND I A
d e sc en d t o n o t ice an yon e b u t m erely l ook e d abs en t ly
, ,

wi t h t h o s e qu eer hun t e d e y e s o f his at hi s adm i re r s as ,

t h e y app r oa ch e d hi s p r e s e n c e an d add e d t h e i r c on t rib u t i on s

t o w ar ds t he co n sid er abl e s u m n e c e ss ary for t h e ful fil m e n t
of hi s vo w
.

’
Pr e s e n tly s t i r t o ok pl ac e am o n gst t he asc e tic s
a

a t t e n d an t s . The u s u al t i m e for hi m t o p e rf orm hi s

a bl u t i on s h ad ar riv e d A p ai r o f w o od en s ol e d s an d al s
.
-

s t u dd e d wi t h spik e s w ere pla c e d b e sid e t he p al an q ui n an d ,

u p on t h e i r p rickly s u r f a c e t h e p oor f e ll o w was h e lp e d t o

pl ac e his b are f e e t Wi t h t he assis t an c e o f hi s m en t he

.
,

e m a ci at e d B a i ragi was b r ou gh t f orw ar d an d all o w e d t o

s u bsid e on t o a low w o o den s t o o l ab o u t f our o r fi v e i n ch e s
high Wh en he e m erge d from his p al an qu i n t he on l o ok e r s
.

t o o k u p wh at a cc ordi n g
, t o I n di an id e as is a m o s t ,

re sp e ctful a tt i t u d e all p re s en t f ac i n g t he a sc e t ic wi t h
,

sligh t ly b owe d h e ads an d p al m s j oi n e d t o g e t h er b e f ore

t h e i r b r e as t s An yon e who m ay h ave s e en a pictur e o f a
.

R aj ah s du rbar p ai n t e d by an I n di an ar tist will at o n c e

’
, ,

c o m p reh en d wh at I m e an Al l f a c e s t u rn e d i n o n e
.

di r e ct i on —t he di re ct i on o f t he R aj ah —
,
e a ch m an s f e e t
,
’

s e t cl o s e t o g e t h e r sid e by sid e hi s p al m s a ccu r at ely j oi n e d

,

one a g ai n s t t h e o t h e r an d t h e fi n g er s sl an t i n g u pw ards
de gre e s — all b e au ti f u lly
,

at an an gl e o f ab o u t f ort y fi v e -

r e g ul ar all u n if or m ly re sp e ct f ul
, .

The s ai n t re p u t e d t o b e on e h u n dre d an d t hi rt y y e ars

ol d t h o u gh c ert ai nl y v e r y rick e t y an d w orn
, was p ro b ably ,

n o t m ore t h an h alf t h at age H e c ou gh e d a g o o d de al an d

.

s e e m e d v ery w e ak .

When ab ou t t o p erform his abl u ti on s i n p u blic he ,

r e qu e s t e d t h e p e o pl e n e are s t hi m t o s t an d b ack a li t tl e ,

l e st t h e w at er sh o ul d re ach an d i n c on ve ni en c e th e m A .

slight b ackw ard m o ve m en t was t he r e s u l t an d wh en an , ,

’
a t t e n d an t p ou r e d s om e w at e r o n t h e B ai r agi s h an ds it ,

was s e e n t h at hi s wris t s we re u ni t e d by an i ron ch ai n n ot

m ore t h an six or s e ven i n ch e s l on g Now c am e t he .

i m p ort an t Op erati on o f di sl o dgi n g t h e h u g e pl u g from his

r igh t n os t ril A s t he s adhu re m ov e d it n ot wi t h ou t a
.
,

li t t l e e ffort i t was f oll owe d by a l o o s ely twiste d c ord o f

,

u n sp un co t t on ab o u t e ight or n i n e i n ch e s l o n g whi ch had ,

2 04
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AND , , S AI N T S OF INDIA
t he l i k —n or I sho ul d t hi n k sp e ci ally agre e ab l e for an
,
e , , y
o n e t o b e hold .

H ad thi s w orn ou t a sc e tic s o a ssidu ou sly d e v o t e d t o

-

t he re gu l ar cl e an si n g of hi s n ostrils an d t hroat e ve r h ad a
ro m an c e i n his lif e ? H ad he b e en d e c eiv e d disill u si on e d , ,

drive n t o de sp air ? H ad th at u n c o u t h figu re e v e r b e en

a cc e p t abl e to t h e f ai r se x H ad t h o s e stran g e h u n t e d e y e s
e v e r gl e am e d wi t h rag e o r m e lt e d wi th p assi o n P o ssibly
b u t t h e s e are q u e sti on s m ore e asily ask e d t h an an swere d .

Th e B ai ragi hi m s elf di d n o t sp e ak ; an d t h e m o tiv e assign e d

for all his s e v e r e p e n an c e t he d e si re t o f e e d a h u n dre d
,

t h ou s an d B r ah m an s c ou ld b e a cc oun t e d r ati on al on ly on
,

t he s upp o sitio n t h at h e d e si re d t o e xpi at e s om e si n or ,

m or e lik e ly t o a cqu i r e m eri t an d powe r throu gh hi s

au st e ri t i e s t he f ee di n g o f o n e h un d re d t h o u s an d B r ah m an s
,

b e in g s et b e fore hi m s elf as a d e fin i t e obj e ct t o li mi t t he

d u rat i on of hi s s elf i m p o s e d h ardshi ps
-
.

I h ad l eis ur e n ow t o s t u dy m y c om p an y an d s u rr ou n d
i n gs A t t he foo t o f on e o f t he p eep ul t re e s I f ou n d thr ee
.

s adhu s si t t i n g r o u n d a s m all fi r e all o f t h e m y o un g an d

,

h e althy Th e y h ad n o c on n e cti on wi t h t he B ai ragi who

.

was a tt rac t i n g so m u ch a t t en t i o n an d rat h er a ffe ct e d t o ,

t u rn t h ei r b acks u p on hi m Two o f t h e s e m e n w ere so

.

sc an t i ly cl oth e d t h at t h ei r u nit e d g arm e n t s w ou ld h av e

h ardl y m ad e a de cen t siz e d p o ck e t h an dk er chi e f ; t he t hi r d
- -

was abs ol u t e ly n ak e d sky cl ot h e d (di gam bara ) h e w ou ld

,
-

hi m s elf h ave s aid u n d er b ro ad d aylight i n a p u blic pl ac e

, , ,

an d am ids t a m ix e d c ro wd o f b o t h s e x e s The sk y clothed .

o n e was ,
I h ave n o d ou bt an ab an don e d sc am p , He .

l o ok e d i t A grav e an d w e ll dr e ss ed m an v en t ure d t o
.

s u gge s t i n m y h e ari n g t he d e si rabili t y o f a rag i n t he

, ,

i n t e re s t s of d e c en cy t o whi ch t he r e ligi o u s m an m ad e
,

s om e fli ppan t o bs ervati on ab ou t t he tro u bl e o f k e epi n g it

t i ed
.

B e fore I l e f t t he sp ot I l e arn e d t h at t he sadhu o f t he

spiky b e d had ye t an o t h e r m o d e o f dr awi n g t he won d e ri n g
m u l t i t u d e t o visi t hi m an d t o c on t rib u t e t h ei r p or t i o n
t o wards t h e a cco m plish m e n t of his v o w O n ce a d ay i n .
,

t h e af t e rn o on h e u s e d t o h av e hi m s e lf s u sp e n d e d h e ad
, ,

d own wards from a stu rdy b ran ch o f a great t re e b e fo re

, ,

2 06
 P E R S O NAL E X P E R I EN CE S W I T H S AD H U S

t he a dm iri n g g az e o f a l arge c on c our s e of p e opl e On t he .

fir st s ui t abl e o pportu nity I c am e t o see t hi s p art of his

p er form an c e .

I t wa s a lov e ly d ay A cro wd o f abou t fi v e h un dr e d

.

m e n an d w o m e n h ad ass e m bl e d an d i n O ri en t al f ashi on
, , ,

were m ee kly an d q u i e t ly sitt in g d o wn o n t he grou n d '

’
aw aiti n g t h e gre at m an s c on v e ni e n ce A fe w p e rs on s .
,

m o s t ly w om e n p re ss e d on t o t h e pl atf orm an d I n otic e d a

, ,

gi rl o f ab ou t sixt e e n i n b right re d cl ot h e s si t d own an d

p e e r i n to t he p al an qu i n wi t h won de ri n g cu ri osi t y M ost .

like ly she was from t he c oun t ry an d had c om e t o L ah ore ,

from s om e n e ighbou ri n g vi ll ag e on p ur p o s e t o s e e M ah araj

'

A fe m al e c om p ani on p u ll e d her r o u ghly away b u t di s ,

e n g agi n g h e rs e lf sh e c am e b a ck ag ai n t o s t are with wid e

o p e n e y e s at t he wo n d er f ul s adhu un t il sh e was p u sh e d
,

asid e by o t h er s who did n o t app r ov e o f h er m on opolisin g

t he b e st p o si t i on for vi e wi n g his s ai n tship .

A t ab ou t o n e o c l o ck an at t e n dan t cam e fo rw ard an d

’

s e t t o w ork p re p ari n g a sp ac e ab o u t t e n f ee t squ are u n d er ,

a l ar g e p ee p ul tr e e by s m e ari n g i t ov e r with a m i x t u r e of
,

cl ay c ow dun g an d wa te r T hi s don e he pl ac e d a pi l e of
,
-
, .
,

dri e d cow d un g c ak e s u p on it an d appli ed a light A clo u d

-
.

o f whi t e s m ok e was q ui ckly d i ffu s e d all ar ou n d When .

t he f u e l h app e n e d to bl az e u p t h e at te n d an t m o d erat e d its

'

e n e r gy by spri n kli n g a li t t l e w at er o n i t t hu s bri n gi n g it ,

b ack t o t he de sir e d s m o ky c on di t i on The B ai ragi no w .

c am e f o rt h h elp e d as b e fore an d aft er washi n g his h an ds

, , , ,

h ad hi s h ai r fi rm ly ti e d u p i n a cl o t h whi ch als o c o ve r e d
hi s f ac e . H e n e xt pu t o n e fo o t i n t o a Io o p o f thick
c ot t on rop e de p e n di n g fr om a b ran ch o f t he t re e an d was ,

h aul e d u p he ad d o wn wards t ill he hun g s u sp en de d ab o u t

, ,

t hre e f e e t ab o ve t he s m o ul d eri n g fir e Wi t h on e h an d he
.

grasp e d t he fre e f o ot an d wi t h t he bt he r he m anip ul at e d

,

a r o s ar y c on c e al e d i n a b ag c all e d a gom u k hi By a sl en de r .

s t rin g p ass e d r ou n d his b ody on e o f his discipl e s k e pt hi m

swayin g o ver t h e sm o ky fir e i n to whi ch a B rahm an was
,

throwi n g grai n gh e e an d ot he r t hi n gs For s e ven an d

, , .
-

t we n t y m i nu t e s by m y w at ch t h e B ai ragi was sw un g h e ad
d o wn wards o ve r t h at sm o ul de ri n g fi re Wh en he had .

coun te d hi s b eads he d ro pp e d t he b ag an d was t hen

207
TH E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S , , AN D S A I N T S O F I ND I A
i m m edi ately t ak e n d o wn l ooki n g p erh aps a sli gh t d e gr e e
, .

’
m ore e xh au st e d for hi s h alf ho ur s c on st an t f u mi g ati on f e e t
-

u pw ar ds .

N e ver a wo rd was sp o k en t hr ou gh ou t t h e e n t i re pe r
form an c e ab o u t righ t o r wro n g n o t on e syll abl e ab ou t ,

d u t y or w orshi p Th ere was t h e du m b sh o w an d n o thi n g

.
,

m or e .

As t he ci at e d fig u re r e s em bli n g a sk el et on rat h e r
em a ,

t h an a m an sw ay e d t o an d fr o lik e t h e p en dul u m o f
,

s om e stran g e old w orld cl o ck— t h e cl o ck o f I n di an ide as

-

I t ri e d t o r ead on t he li vi n g di al b e f or e m e wh at ti m e o f
d ay i t was The ci r cl e o f on l o ok e r s was a l arg e on e
.
,

c o m p os e d o f O ri en t als wh o s e t h ou gh t s an d id e as are ve ry
,

i n scru tabl e ye t i t s e e m e d t o m e t h at t he f ac e of t he ve ry
,

c om plic at e d b u t i n t ere s t i n g di al I was stu dyi n g i n dic at e d

, ,

t h at d awn was a pp roachi n g t h o ugh t h e d ayb re ak h ad n ot ,

t app e are d
y e .

A fe w gen e rati on s h e n ce t he B ai ragi cl o ck I h ave

d e scrib e d will b e u n k n own at l eas t i n t he gre at citi e s of ,

I n di a .

2 TH E S AN Y A S I S WAMI B H A S KAR AN AN D A
. or B ENAR E S .

I n t he h oly ci t y of
B en are s th ere liv e d for m an y y e ar s
a f am o u s S an yasi S w am i B h ask ar an an d a S arasw at i wh o
, ,

d i e d i n 18 9 9 b ei n g t h e n si x t y six y e ar s o f age
,
-
.

Thi s i n t e re s t in g ol d gen t l em an wh o was m ore t h an a ,

l o c al ce l e b ri t y r e si de d i n e xc e ll en t qu art ers i n a fi n e
,

g arde n pl a c e d at hi s disp os al k n own as An un dab agh , ,

b el on gi n g t o t h e R aj ah o f Am i t y Th ere at t he e n d o f .
,

18 95 I p aid hi m a visi t h avi n g b e e n i n f orm e d th at h e

, ,

was alw ays pl e as e d t o r e c e iv e s t r an g e rs who c are d t o m ak e

hi s a cqu ai n t an c e Wh en I was an n ou n c e d t he S anyasi
.
, ,

wh o h ad b e e n si t t i n g s t ark n ak e d wrapp e d a loi n clo t h ,

ab o u t hi m as a p ol i t e c on c e ssi o n t o m y n arr o w c o n v e n t i on al

p r ej u di c e s an d s t e pp e d f orward t o we lc om e m e wi t h a m os t
,

e n g agi n g s mi l e S t ran g e as i t m ay s e e m t h e r e was u n

.
,

d e n i ably so m et hi n g re fin e d an d at t ra ct i v e ab ou t t he
p ers on ali t y o f t his n ak e d asc e t ic wi t h hi s t ran sp aren t ly
b e n e v ol en t c ou n t e n an c e r at h e r l i gh t b ro wn c om pl exi on
, ,

2 08
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D
, , S A I NTS OF INDI A
s aid he f el t he m u s t h ave at l e as t on e m ore w o rd wi t h m e
b e f ore we p art e d p erh aps fo r e v e r an d h e t h e n wi t h m an y
, ,

g oo d wish e s for m y w elf are ki n dly h an d e d m e a ph ot o

,

graph of hi m s elf for m y book as he s ai d an d I h av e mu ch

, ,

pl e as u re i n r e p ro d u ci n g i t n ow (Fig as I h a v e als o i n
.

c alli n g t o m i n d t he s e reni t y ch e erfu l n e ss an d ur b anity o f

, ,

t hi s f am ou s an d highly v e n er at e d H i n d u a sc e t ic .

I n a li t t l e l odg e o r ch ap e l n e ar t h e g at e an d wi thi n ,

t h e w alls o f t he bagh wh ere h e r e sid e d I n o t ic e d a ,

life siz e m arbl e s t at u e o f t he s ai n t I t was a g o od like

-
.

n e ss . L at e r o n I s aw for s al e i n t h e id ol sh o ps i n t h e -

b az aars o f t h e city m an y s t on e an d b rass s t at u e tt e s whi ch ,

a pp e ar e d t o b e f ai t hf ul c o pi e s o f t h e st at u e I h av e j u st

r e f e rr e d t o .

Fro m t h e bi ogr aphic al sk e t ch whi ch he g ave m e I

d e rive d t h e foll owin g ch aract eris t ic p articu l ars r e gardi ng
’
t h e S a nyas i s p as t hi s t o ry
H is real n am e was Mat i ram Misra H e was b orn i n .

18 33 o f a g o o d B rahm an f am i ly was i n v e st e d wi t h t h e
,

s acre d th re ad at t h e age o f eigh t an d m arri e d f our ye ar s

,

l at er Fr om hi s e ighth t o his s e ve n t e en t h y ear he was

.

a dilig en t an d m o s t s u cc e ssfu l stu den t o f t he S an skri t

l an g u age an d of t he Ve dan t a phi l o s ophy A son was b orn .

t o hi m wh e n h e was b u t e i gh t een ye ar s old By t his ,

e v e n t h e was ,
i n hi s own o pi ni on fre e d fr o m an y f urt h e r
,

s o ci al o blig at i on s he re alis ed t he u n r e ali t y o f t hi s wo rld

,

an d i t s pl e as ur e s an d re s olv e d
, c on t rary t o t he wish e s of
,

hi s p ar e n t s t o re n ou n c e t h e w o rld an d b e c om e a w an de ri n g
,

a sc e t ic .

’
S o on e d ay h e di s app e are d f rom hi s f ath er s h ou s e an d
wen t on fo ot t o U j j ai ni wh ere h e pu t u p i n a t em pl e o f
,

S iv a . H ere he c on t i n u e d his Ve d an t i c stu di e s an d began

t o pract i se yoga .B u t t h e spi ri t o f un r e s t whi ch i n I n di a ,

dr ive s so m an y t o e m b rac e t h e c alli n g of t h e a sc e t ic t o ok ,

i m p e ri ou s p o ss e ssi on o f hi m H e a cc ordi n gly l e ft hi s

.

t e m p or ary ab o d e an d visi t e d t h e v ari o u s s acre d pl ac e s o f

M alwa an d G u j rat At t he l at t er city h owe ver he s et t l e d
.
, ,

d o wn for a p eri od o f s e ve n y e ars whi ch h e d e vote d t o a

,

f u rt h er s t u dy o f t he Ve d an ta phi los ophy .

When Mat i ram had re a che d t he age of t we n t y s even -

,

2 10
 TH E S AN YA S I B H A S K A R AN AN D A OF B E NAR ES .

FIG . 11
.

To fa c e p a ge 210
.
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S A ND
, , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
Fo r ye ars S wam i B hask aran an d a trave ll e d
t hi rt e e n
ab ou t I n di a always p r actisi n g tap asya (p en an c e ) an d th e n
, ,

f e e li n g afte r hi s l on g p r ob at i on an d c on stan t s t rivi n g, t h at

,

h e h ad o bt ai n e d t h e i n e ffabl e k n owle dge h e h ad d e si red he ,

s e t t l e d d own for t he r e m ai n d er o f his life i n t h e s acre d

ci t y o f B en ar e s .

H ere h e e n j oye d t he gre at e s t co n sid erat i on an d dis

t i n c t io n . Pi lgri m s c r owd e d t o a d o r e hi m Pri n c e s f r om .

af ar c am e t o c o n s u l t hi m an d b o w e d t h e i r r o y al h e ads
,

d own t o his h oly fe e t Miracl e s p ar t icul arly o f he ali n g

.
, ,

w ere at t ribu t e d t o hi m an d t em pl e s we re e v en duri n g hi s

, ,

li fe t i m e b u il t i n hi s h on o u r an d hi s e ffigy w o rshi pp e d i n
, ,

t hem . I m ag e s o f t he s ai n t w ere als o se t u p for p rivat e

w or shi p by t he R ani o f B arh ar t h e M ah araj ah of Aj odi a , ,

t h e M ah araj ah o f Nagadh an d o t h e r i m p or t an t p ers on ag e s

, ,

an d n o d ou bt i n m an y h u m bl e Hi n d u h ou s e holds als o ,

si n c e as I h ave al re ady m e n t i on e d lik en e sse s m ade o f

, ,

st on e an d m e tal o f S wam i j i were pl en t iful i n t he id ol sh ops

- -

o f B e n are s .

I n r e c or di n g t h e ab o v e p art icu l ar s o f wh at is i n d e e d
a typic al c as e I h av e s t at e d e n o u gh t o sh o w t he h on o ur e d
,

p ositi on an d un s t in t e d v en er ati on wi t h which t he asce tic

l i fe i n I n di a m ay e ve n i n t hi s m ate ri alis t ic age re ward
, ,

t he s u cc e ssfu l sadhu .

I will c on cl u d e wi t h t he foll owi n g e xt ract fr om a

n e wsp ap e r c on d u c t e d en ti re ly by I n di an s

DEA T H OF S WAM I B H A S KA R AN AN D S A R A S WA I T .

The d e at h is ann oun c e d from chol era on l ast S u n d ay ,

n igh t at B en are s o f S w am i B h as k aran an d S ara swa t i

, t he ,

c el eb rat e d re clu se an d d e v o te e o f t he h oly ci t y H e was

'

b u ri e d i n a si t t i ng p o stu re i n his g arden at D u rg a K un d ,

an d a m on u m e n t will b e r ais e d o ve r hi s grave The .

f un e ral was at t e n de d by a l arg e c on c o urs e o f p e opl e am on g ,

wh om were t he M ah ar aj as o f B e n are s an d A j o dhya t he ,

R aj a s o f M ai n p uri an d N ag o d an d a l arg e n u m b e r o f ,

I n di an g en t l em en The l as t t i m e th at we wrot e ab ou t t he
.

S wam i j i was wh en t h e H on Mr L a T ou ch e th en o fli ci
-
. .
,
~

at i n g L i e u t e n an t Gov e rn o r o f t h e N o rt h We s t P r o vi n c e s
- -
,

2 12
 P E R S O NAL EX P E R I E N CE S W I TH S AD H U S

p aid a visit t o t he ven erable re cl u s e an d had s om e c on

vers ati on with hi m M r La To u ch e pre se n t e d t he S wam i
. .

a n az ar o f a g old m oh ur whi ch was at on ce h an de d ov er

,
’
t o t h e S wam i s d e p e n d an t s S wam i Bh ask aran an d was
‘

a m o st r e m ar k abl e an d a t t ractiv e p e rs on ality an d e v e r y ,

dis t i n gui sh e d visi t or t o B en are s p aid hi m hi s re sp e ct s .

T ou ris t s fro m Am eric a an d E ur op e always t ri e d t o se e t he

S wam i who was fr e qu en t ly acc e ssibl e an d all wh o s aw
, ,

hi m we r e s t ru ck by hi s wisd om an d h oli n e ss Th e P i on eer .

write s : The p er s on ali t y o f t h e v e n e r able S wam i j i -

Bhask aran an d S araswat i who di e d at B en are s sho rt ly

,

aft er m i dni ght on S un d ay was on e whi c h i n t e re s t e d

,

E n glishm e n n o l e ss than i t d om i n at e d t he S wam i s o wn ’

c ou n t rym e n Thi s asc e t i c of asc e t i cs who h ad l on g ago

.
,
‘

p a ss e d s o far o n t h e w a
y t o N i r v an a t h at n o h u m an c o n

t am i n at i on c oul d an y l on g e r t ou ch hi m wh o was as far ,

ab o v e c on sid e rat i o n s o f c a st e a s t he p ari ah is b e l o w an d ,

wh o h as sat for ye ars at B en are s squ at h an ds c ro ss e d an d ,

c l o t he l e s s wai t i n g fo r hi s d eliveran c e fro m m ort ali t y was

, ,

a m an o f hi gh i n t e ll e c t u al p o w e r s wh o t oo k a k e e n i n t e re s t
,

n ot o nl y i n t h e a ffai r s o f I n di a b u t i n t h e p oli t ics o f ,

E u rop e an d fr om wh om an E nglish visit or always r e cei ve d

,

a c or di al w e lc om e Am on g t he hi gh e r cl ass e s of t he n at ive
.

c omm u ni ty t he S wam i was re g arde d wit h t he u t m o s t

re sp e c t an d v e n e r ati on hi s advic e on all m at t er s m u n d an e
,

an d s u pram u n dan e b ei n g e age rly s ou gh t whi l e am on g ,

t he l o w e r cl a ss e s h e was al r e a dy l oo k e d u p o n a s a
divi n e b ein g an d woul d h ave b e e n w or shipp e d as such
,

h ad he n o t always st ern ly f orb ad e an y m anif e s t at i on o f

’
t he ki n d .

S wam i B hask ar an an d was gre at ly app re ci at e d an d

r e sp e ct e d by a l arg e n u m b er of E n glis h m e n an d t hi s wa s ,

hi s sp e ci al a dv an t age B e fore his app e aran ce i n B e n are s

.

t h e m o s t re vere d n am e i n t h e s acre d ci t y wa s t h at o f
Trai lan gya S wam i wh o also s at c l o t h ele s s for ye ar s on t h e
,

b an k o f t he G an ge s H e was p ro fou n dly l e arn e d an d a

.

P aram ahan sa o f t he hi gh e s t or der ; b u t as h e h ad i m p os e d ,

u p on hi m s e lf a v o w o f sil e n c e h e was n ot m u ch kn o wn
,

am on g E n gli sh m e n B u t so l o n g as h oly m e n o f t hi s t yp e
.

app e ar i n I n di a— an d it is i n t his co un t ry al on e t h at t he

2 13
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AND , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
c
ra e h as ne v e r b e c om e e x t i n ct— we d n ot d e sp air
nee of t he
fut ure .
” —The Tri bu ne , 15th J ul y 18 9 9 (L ah o re ) .

3 . GA RE E B DA S , AN U R D H AB AH U B AI R A GI .

A dj oini n g f am ou s G olden T e m pl e at Am rit s ar is a

t he
gro ve kn o wn as Gur u B agh an d h e r e a s adhu c on spicu ou s ,

o n a cc o un t o f h avi n g bo t h arm s rigi dl y u p lift e d a b o v e his

h e ad to ok u p hi s t e m p orary ab ode at ten de d by a few

,

di scipl e s Thi s was i n t he m on t h o f O c t ob er at t he t i m e

.
,

o f t h e D iv ali f e s t iv al whi ch ann u ally at t r ac t s a l arg e m ul ti

,

t u de of p e opl e t o t he h oly ci t y o f t he S i k hs .

Wh en I s aw t he s ad hu his e m aci ate d arm s were ,

a pp are n t ly qui t e rigid an d t h e cl e n ch e d h an ds whi ch w e re

, ,

ab ou t six i n ch e s ap ar t w e re p art icul arly p ai n fu l t o l oo k at

,

— was t e d an d shr un k e n wi t h gre at c u r ve d n ails g rowi n g

,
’
like bi rd s cl aws o u t o f t he thi n fin ge rs .

H e had hi s p er s on ru bb e d all o v er wi t h whi t e ash e s

'

an d h e w o r e a s m all l oi n cl o t h an d a n e at ly t i e d t u rb an .

His f eatur e s we r e l on g an d t he e xp re ssi on o f his f ac e ,

agr e e abl e Wh at h e l o oke d like an d hi s u t te r h elpl e ss n e ss

.
, ,

t he p or t r ait of hi m i n t he fr on t isp i e c e wil l I t hi n k m ak e , ,

q ui t e cl e ar .

I n co n v e rs at i on with hi m I asc e rt ai n e d th at he was a

B ai ragi t h at h e c am e fr om Aj u dya an d h ad b e en t he chela
, ,

o f a f am o u s gu ru f o rm e rly a t t a ch e d t o t he H u n am an G ari

m on as t e r y i n t h at city b u t n ow d e c e as e d ,I h ad visit e d .

Aj u dya an d c oul d t alk ab o u t i t an d t h e s a c re d S ur ayu

,

( G o g r a ) w hi ch
, fl o ws by t h at an ci e n t t o w n an d so t h e sadhu ,

t ou ch e d by ol d ass o ci ati ons b e c am e c om m uni c at ive His

, .

n at iv e pl ac e h e told m e was B as B are i lli i n O u dh an d hi s

, , ,

n am e Gar e e b Das .

Wh at I wi she d p art icul arly t o a scertain from t he

B ai ragi was wh at m o t ive c oul d possibly h a ve i n du c e d hi m
to s u bj e c t hi m s elf v ol un t ari ly t o s u ch t erribl e su ch al m o s t ,

i n c on ce ivabl e p er s on al h ardshi ps as w er e pl ai nl y i n v olve d

i n t h e p e n an c e h e h ad ad op t e d No t o n ly h ad he d e p rive d .

hi m s elf o f t he u se o f both hi s arm s b u t by t h e awkw ard ,

u nn at u r al p o si t i o n which h e h a d f o r c e d t h e m t o a ss u m e h e

had m ad e them a so u rc e of c on stan t tro u bl e we ari n e ss an d , ,

2 14
T H E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D
, , S A I N TS O F I ND I A
f orm er positio n and i n tim e b e co m e s as st ro n g as
,
” 1
b e fo re .

A s th e re are E u r op ean thi e ve s who do n ot h e sitat e t o

r ob a ch ur ch ,
so t h ere are it woul d s eem I n di an repre
, ,

s e n t at i v es of t h e s am e an ci e n t if dis re p u t abl e fraterni t y

, , ,

wh o h av e n o scru pl e s ab ou t app ropri at i n g t h e p rop e rt y of

e v e n a h e lpl e ss s adhu .T hi s was ill u s t rat e d wh en Gareeb
Das was d e p rive d by im p u d en t thi e ve s o f all hi s p o rt abl e
p r op erty i n cl u di n g a book which ru m our d e cl are d was
, ,

a ctu ally a b an k p ass b oo k t e s t ifyi n g to c ash d e p osits

-
,

m ou n t i n g u p t o as m u ch as a lak h of ru p e e s The di s .

g u s t e d sadhu p rom p t ly rem ov e d hi m s e lf from t he Gur u

B agh wh e re he h ad b een robb ed an d so m e of m y s e rv an ts
,

m e t an d co n v e rs e d wi t h hi m n e ar t h e railw ay st ati o n ,

w aitin g for t he t rain whi ch was to t ak e hi m away t o

J e yp ore on his hom e ward j ourn e y S u ch was t he t al e .

whi ch was curre n t i n Am ri t s ar an d whi ch I n ot e d down

,

o n t h e 26t h o f O ct o b er Wh at was m y s ur pris e on t he 7 th

.

o f N o ve m b er t o fi n d m f ri e n d Gare e b Das o n c e agai n

y
e st ablish e d i n t h e G uru B agh t h e s t o r y o f t h e r ob be ry
,

h avi n g b e en i n all prob abili t y a m ere i n ve n t i on go t u p t o

s t i m ul ate p u blic i n te re s t i n sadhu j i On this o cc asion t he
.

a sc e t ic h ad a s m all priv at e e n cl o s ur e o f hi s o wn m ad e u p ,

of b am boos an d clo t h sc ree n s Pe opl e w ere crowdi n g i n

.

an d ou t o f this e n cl o s ur e i n g oo dly n u m b e r s Wh en I .

wen t i n I n ot ic e d gre at h eaps lit erally heaps o f fl our salt

, , , ,

s g
u ar , a n d u n —
s ch thi gs i n fa ct s acks an d s acks fu ll I t
, .

app eare d t h at a fe w d ay s p r e vio u sly t h e sadhu h ad giv e n

n otic e i n t h e city th at h e wo u ld n o t eat an yt hi n g u n t il h e

h ad e n t e rt ai n e d fi v e h un dre d u nm arri e d gi rls at a f e as t .

H e hop e d t o a cco m plish thi s b e f ore t he e n d o f D e c em b er ,

b u t c on trib u t i on s h ad c om e i n so qui ckly t h at t h e f e as t

d ay had b een fixe d for t he 9 t h o f N o v e m b e r Whil e I .

was l earni n g t h e s e p art icul ars t h e s adhu r o s e an d w alk e d

a fe w p ac e s wi t h hi s arm s abov e hi s h e ad an d as h e ,

did so t he p oor f ell ow l o ok e d s o u tterly an d pai nq y

h e lpl e ss th at I c ou ld n ot b u t e xp eri en c e a fee l i n g o f
t h e gr e ate st co m p assi on for hi m n o t u n m i n gl e d with a
,

1
A Vi ew of the H i s to ry, L i teratu re, a nd R el i gi on f the H i nd us
o , p . 29 7
( Ma d ra s d
E i t i on ,

2 16
 P E R S O NAL E X P E R I E NCE S W I TH S AD H U S

c er tai n ad m i ratio n o f his steadfast ne ss an d p rol on g e d

e n d u ran c e .

B e fore I t oo k m y l e ave o f t he a sc e t ic an att en dan t

’

, ,

m akin g a v ery p olite sp e e ch o ffe re d m e a c ou pl e of h an d

,

fu ls of rai si n s an d al m o n ds I t o ok j u st t wo raisin s
.

an d d r o pp e d a ru p e e o n t he r e m ai n d e r The m o n e y was .

re m o v e d an d t h e r aisi n s an d al m on d s giv e n t o t h e polic e

m an wh o was i n att en d an c e u p on m e i n a cco rd an ce wi t h ,

t h e ru l e which p re vails at t he G old en T e m pl e The .

P u n j abi p oli c e m an willi n gly a cc e pt e d t he gift c are ful ly ,

t yi n g u p t he dri e d frui t s an d n u t s i n a v ery di rt y h an d

k er chi ef .

’
The sadhu s fe ast t o t he un m arri e d gi rls c am e o ff i n
p rop er t im e an d was a c om ple t e s u cc e ss for a gre at m an y
, ,

Hi n du l adi e s o f g oo d p o si t i on c am e on t he app oin t e d d ay

an d h e lp e d t o c o o k a n d di strib u t e t h e f oo d am on gst t h e

i n vi t e d gu e st s I n t hi s way Gare e b Das wi t h ou t sp en di ng

.
,

a s i n gl e ru p e e o u t o f hi s o wn p o ck e t an d hi m s e lf a c rippl e
, ,

was e n abl e d t hr ou gh t he lib e r al c on t rib u t i on s an d h e lpful

,

c o u rt e sy o f his ad m i rer s t o pl ay t h e h o st m u ni fi ce n t ly t o
,

fi v e h u n dre d y ou thfu l m aid en s of Am ri t s ar .

4 . A Yo e r WH O P R OTE CTE D AM RI T S AR F R OM TH E P L A GU E .

E vil d ays c om e u p on t he l an d The pl agu e had

had .

m ad e i t s app earan ce i n t he P u n j ab an d wi t h i t s t ri n g en t
,

o rd e rs for t h e c o m p ul s ory s e gre g ati o n of all re al an d

—
su sp e ct e d c as e s a m e asur e dre ade d by t he p e opl e far
m ore t h an t h e f e ll dis e as e i t s elf R ath e r t h an h ave t he
.

p ri va cy of t h eir h o m e s i n vade d r at he r th an h ave t h ei r

,

l ove d o n e s for cibly s e p arat e d fro m t h e m i n t he h our of

t h ei r di r e n e e d an d c om m i t t e d t o t he u n sym p at h e tic c are
1

o f hi re li n gs t h e p e o pl e h ad ris en i n arm e d Opp o si t i o n t o

,

t h e au t h ori t i e s an d s e ve r al live s h ad b e e n s acrific e d i n

,

t h e c on fli c t .

I f i t b e t he wi ll o f Go d t hat we sh ou ld di e l et u s ,
”
di e t o ge th e r as we h ave liv e d t og e th e r was t he fe eli n g,

whi ch ani m at e d t he h e ar ts o f a p e o pl e n ot ye t ci vi li sed

e n ou gh t o app re ci at e t he highl y p ru d en t s e n ti m e n t s
whi ch els ewh ere e n abl e m en t o u n m u rm u ri n gly give
2 17
 T HE MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D
, , S A I NT S OF INDIA
th e i r d e are st t o t he h o spit als for i n f e c t io u s dis e as e s
u
p ,

an d s av e t h e ir p re cio us s e lv e s fr o m d an g er for the pu bli c

good .

We ll , invil days I re fer t o a Yogi visite d

t he e ,

Am rits ar an d it was ru m o u re d t h at hi s o bj e ct was to

,

av e rt f rom t he ci t y c e rt ai n i m p en di n g c al am i t i e s .

I fou n d hi m n e ar t he fi n e t an k kn own as Durgi an a ,

i n a l arg e S p ac e e n clos e d by c an va s walls H e was .

s e ate d on a sligh t ly rais e d pl at form o f b e at e n e art h o ve r ,

whi ch a cl o t h had b e en sp re ad H e was en ve l op e d i n a .

cl ean whi te c o tt on sh e e t o f g o od q u ality O n ly a p ort i on .

o f his f ac e was visibl e o n e e e an d ch e e k b e i n g c o n c e al e d

y ,

by hi s m att e d l o cks His n o s e was b old an d p r omi n en t

.
,

b u t t he e ye o n t he visi bl e sid e o f his f ac e was h alf cl o s e d .

Al t h o u gh s u pp o s e d t o b e p ra ct isi n g yoga he k e pt his ,

’
e ar s an d h alf cl o s e d e y e s a b o u t hi m
-
By t he Yogi s side .

t h e re w e re wi t hi n e asy r e a ch t wo pl at e s on e c on t ai n ,

i n g ro s e p e t als an d t h e o t h e r c ard am u m s ; t h ere w ere

-

also a b r a ss lotah an d an o ther b r ass wate r po t sh ap e d -

t o r e s e m bl e a go u rd A w om an wi t h a yo u n g chi ld
.

was p r o s t rati n g h e rs elf i n ad orat i on b e f ore t he s ai n t

wh en I fi rs t app roach e d hi m b u t s ee in g m e she ,

t i m i dly wi t h dr e w t o s om e li t t l e dis t an c e an d t h en sp e ll , ,

b ou n d by c uri o si t y k e pt h er e ye s fix e d u p on m e Whi l e
, .

still i n app aren t m e di t at i on t he s adhu was g oo d e n o u gh ,

t o giv e m e a h an df ul o f ro s e p e t als an d s om e c ar d a -

m u m s an d i n r e tu rn I pu t a ru p e e i n t o a b rass s alve r
,

j u s t i n fr on t o f hi m wh ere alre ady l ay s om e e igh t o r

,

t e n ru p e es t o g e th er wi t h a l ot o f s m all silv er an d copp e r

,

c oi n s
.

M y c om p an i on a p an di t wh o c ou ld sp e ak S an skri t
, ,

a sk e d t he Yogi i n m o s t r e sp e c t fu l t erm s t o t e ll m e
s om e t hi n g ab o u t yoga as I was m u ch i n t ere s t e d i n t he
,

m att e r ; b u t all t h e s ai n t v ou chs af e d was s om e S an skri t

v e rs e s o n t he i m p ort an c e o f tru th I i n qui re d h ow l on g .

h e i n t en d e d t o s t ay at Am ri t s ar .

Wh o kn ows was th e r eply I am a bi r d (peri n d) .

”
h e re t o d ay g on e t o m o rrow
-
,
-
.

H owe ver hi s B rah m an at t en d an ts w ere m ore c om

,
’
m uni cat i v e The Yogi s m issi on t h e y e xpl ai n e d was t o
.
, ,

2 18
T H E MY S T I C S A S C ET ICS , A N D S AI N T S OF I ND I A
'

’
The Yogi fe asts I b eli eve c am e o ff s atisfac t o rily an d
s , , ,

i t is wort h m e n ti oni ng th at t he pl ag u e di d n o t i n vade

Am rits ar t h at ye ar To a m aj o rity o f t he ign oran t
.

p o p u l ac e t h e s e two f ac t s were pl ai nly c au s e an d e ffe c t an d ,

t he cl ai m s o f s adhu i sm j u s t ifi e d o n c e m ore by i rre frag abl e

re s ul t s .

A ll Yogi s are n ot as p u blic spi ri t e d as thi s s elf -

c on st it u t e d tu t e l ary s ai n t of A m ri t s ar I k n e w on e m an .

wh o s oj o urn e d i n a big sh e d u s u ally o cc u pi e d by m e m b e r s

o f t h e s e ct an d th e re h e p ass e d his t i m e p r e tty c on t e n t e dly
, ,

t o pi n g . H e was alw ays pl e as e d t o see m e was this t hi rsty

s oul fo r m y visits fl att ere d his v an i t y an d b r ou ght a ru p e e
,

o r t wo to hi s sc an t y e xch e qu er O n c e I s aw a S an yas i .

wi t h hi m app are n t ly on t he b e s t o f t e rm s an d l e arn t t h at

, ,

t h e t wo liv e d t o g e t h e r an d ate t oget her Whe t h e r t his was .

qu i t e warran t e d by c u stom I do n ot kn o w b u t I t hi n k ,

n ot. Th e re was als o a b oy Yogi i n t he co m p an y o f abou t ,

tw elve ye ars o f age wi t h t he u s u al yogi e m bl e m s i n

, ,

cl u di n g t he l arge e ar ri n gs I asc er tain e d that he had

-
.

b e en d e di c at e d t o t he o rd er by hi s p are n t s While I .

t alk e d wi t h t h em t he gu ru t o re fre sh hi m s elf p ou re d ou t

, , ,

a s m all c u p o f ard e n t co un try spiri t s an d t o ss e d i t o ff

wi t h e vide n t r elish I was aft e rwards t old t h at t he ol d
.

f ell ow d ran k p re tty fre ely b u t n e v e r b e c am e qu arrels om e

, .

O f f o o d h e p art o ok v e ry sp ari n gly I n t h e sh e d which .

t h e y i n h abi t e d t e m p or arily t he Yogi s wild l o oki n g f ell o ws

, ,
-
,

wer e gro u p e d i n s m all p arti e s ro un d t wo or t h re e fi re s .

M an y l ay visi t or s we re t h e re t o o squ att e d ab o u t an d ,

r e sp e ctf u lly w at chi n g t h e s ai n t s S u n s et b e i n g t h e h o u r .

for t h e ad o rat i on o f t h e gu ru his o wn thre e o r f ou r che las ,

g at h e re d r o u n d m y i n e b ri ate fri en d j u s t a s t h e s ol ar ,

orb was o n t h e h o riz on an d b o w e d t h e i r h e ads d o wn

,
’
t o th e i r gu ru s f e e t Th e y bl e w t h ei r li t t l e whi s t l e s
.

as if th e y we re s ou n din g t ru m p e t s i n t he p re s en c e o f
a ki n g an d t h en pl aci n g t h ei r o p en h an ds sid e by
, ,

s i de t o f orm a s ort o f b owl w ave d t h e m b e f ore hi m i n ,

s m all ci rcl e s a s if p er fo rmi n g t he H in du ri t e o f artee

i n h on ou r o f a god Th e re w ere n o li gh t s i t is t ru e
.
, ,

b u t t h e c e re m o n y i n i t s ar t l e ss i m it at i on was q u ite u n
, ,

m istak abl e .

2 20
 P E R S O NA L E X P E R I E N CE S W ITH S AD H U S

5 . A WANDE R I N G B R AH MACH AR I F R OM TH E T AM I L
C OU N TR Y .

A youn g s adhu , a b ou t t we n t y fi v e-
ye ar s o f age , goo d
lo oki n g well cl ad
, ,
an d in
b u s t he alth who s aid he was a
ro ,

B rahm achar i an d a b a ch e lo r visi t e d m e at A m ri t s ar , He .

sp ok e b rok e n E n gli sh b u t c o ul d m ak e hi m s elf u n der s t ood

,

fairly we ll On hi s f oreh e ad j u st ab ove t h e n o s e a b right

.
, ,

r d sp ot wa s p ai n t e d R ou n d hi s n e ck h e w o r e a n e ckl e t
e .

o f ru dr ak sh a b e rri e s an d i n his h an d h e c arri e d a t hi n b o o k

,

o r p am phl e t i n t he T am il l an g u age I t was illu s tr at e d .

h
wi t h t e q i s w odc ts
u a n t e t o u i m a gi bl
n a e — showi n g t he
di fficul t i e s a w ai t i n g an d t h e p un ish m e n ts in flic t e d u p o n t h e
wick e d af t er de at h The l ast pic t u re i n t h e b o o k was a
.

by n o m e an s i n vi t in g r epre s e n t at i on o f S w arga or t he re gi on s ,

o f d e li gh t which l oo ke d v ery lik e a b ad i m i t at i o n of s om e

,

p ort i on s of B e n ar e s .

With hi s li t t l e b ook t o remi n d hi m b o th by t e xt an d ,

pictu re o f t h e e vils at t e n dan t u pon m i scon du c t i n t his

,

world an d t o gu ide hi s f oot s t eps t o t he j o ys o f h e ave n t he

, ,

y oun g s adhu was ch e e rfu lly e arn i n g t he m e ri t t o b e d e

riv e d from a pi lgri m age t o t he h oly pl ac e s of In di a ,

de p en di n g u p on s u ch kn owl e dge o f E n glish as he c ou ld

c om m an d t o c arry hi m s u cc e ssfu ll y o n his way T hi s .

app e are d t o m e a m o s t i n t e r e s t i n g an d n o t e w ort hy f a c t — a

s adhu w an d e ri n g over I n di a with t he ai d o f t h e E n gli sh

l an gu ag e H e t old m e he was from t he e xtre m e s ou th o f

.

”
In di a n ear Cap e Co m ori n an d t h at T am il was his n at ive
, ,

t o n gu e . H owe ver hi s app e aran c e sh owe d m e he was n o

,

D ravi di an an d on m y qu e st i oni n g hi m a litt l e he admi t t e d

, , ,

t h at h e was a Guz rat i by r ac e b u t wa s b orn an d reare d i n ,

t he e xt r e m e s ou t h of I n di a Ou r sadhu f el t t he i m p ort
.

an c e o f his li t t l e b oo k s o m u ch t h at un i n vit e d h e e xhi bi t e d

, , ,

an d e xpl ai n e d s om e o f t h e quai n t ill u s t rat io n s t o m e On e .

re p r es e n t e d a c u ri o u s riv e r t h e Vi t a rn i (di fficul t t o b e

,

cr oss e d ) b arri n g t h e way t o S warga t hrou gh which h ow

, , ,

e v er a p ass age c o ul d b e s u cc e ssf u ll y m ad e by t h e spiri t s o f

,

s u ch m en as duri n g the ir e art hly life h ad p ru de n t ly m ade

gift s of c o ws to t h e B rahm an s t hi s m eri t ori ou s ac t e u ,

titli n g t he ge n ero u s don o r t o t ak e h old o f t he t ail of o n e o f

.

221
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS
'

OF I ND I A
t he s acre d c ows i n t he rive r an d t o b e t owe d a cr os s t o t he
Ot h er b an k o f t hi s t e rribl e H in du S t yx On m y s u gg e sti n g .

t h at u n d er t h e s e ci r cu m s t an c e s h e sh oul d n o t f ail t o pre

s en t c ows t o t h e B r ah m an s t he s adhu l au gh e d pl e as an t ly
,

an d s aid You will giv e t o m e an d I wi ll give t o t h em

, , ,

a Vi e w Of t h e c as e with whi ch n e e dl e ss t o s a
y I did ,n o t ,

qu i t e f all i n The Vi t arni river is a f av o uri t e s u bj e c t wi t h

.

t h e Hi n d u artis t wh o l o ve s t o i m p re ss u p on t h e w orldly
,

m i n d e d t he d an g e r s Of its sw o ll en fl o o d an d t he b e s t pe r , ,

h aps t he onl y way o f re achi n g i t s farth er side

, .

An ot her pict ur e i n t h e s adhu s p re ci ou s b ook m ade

’

e vid e n t h o w i n d s Off e r e d t o t he s o ul s Of t h e d e ad s u pply

p a

m at e ri als for t he grad u al re c on s t ru c t i on o f t h e b o dy i n n i ne .

c on s e cu t iv e m on t hs t h e h e ad b ei n g t he first p art t o b e
,

r e c reat e d
-
The ni n e s t ag e s o f r e c on s t ru cti on w e re all
.

s e p ar at ely an d s u cc e ssively d epic t e d u p on t he s am e p age .

Th e B rahm achari s aid h e h ad c om e f ro m t h e s ou t h

e sp e ci ally t o see t h e far f am e d D e v al i f e stiv al a t A m rits ar
-
,

an d i n t en d e d g o i n g o n t o H ar dwar i n o r d e r t o b e p re s e n t

th e re at t he e clips e of t he m oon on t he 27t h of D e c em b er .

H e d re ad e d n o thi n g i n his pl e as an t w an d eri n gs e xc e pt t he

Office r s on pl agu e d u ty wh o he s aid g ave a gr eat d e al o f
, , ,

t r o u bl e t o i n n o ce n t t rav e ll er s .

S anyasi s we re n o t h eld i n m u ch e ste e m by thi s yo u n g

B rahm achari H e c on sidere d t h e m
. b ad m e n b e c au s e ,
!

t h e y di d n o t p e rf orm t h e p r e sc rib e d c e r em o n i e s for t he

d ead an d p rac t is ed i nt e rm e n t i n s t ead Of c re m atio n An
,
.

I n di an ge n t l em an who was p re s en t du ri n g t he i n t ervi e w

’
s aid t h at h e h ad s e e n S anyas i s b odi e s di sp o s e d Of by
,

sim ply si n ki n g t h em wit h s t on e s o r b ags o f s an d i n a

, ,

fl owi n g stream H e l au gh e d an d so did t he B rahmachari

.
, ,

wh e n I re m arke d th at i n t hi s way t h e rive r s were p ollu te d

an d r e n d e re d i n s al u b ri o u s Th e y d e p re c at e d t his n oti on
.
,

h ol di n g th at as t he s acre d wat e r pu ri fied all thi n gs it

, ,

c oul d n o t i t s elf b e p oll u ted by an ythi n g .

6 . A S AD H U OF E U R O P EAN D E S CEN T A T S I M LA .

E xcee di n gly r ar e i n d e e d as ,
on e m ay well i m agi ne are ,

n on -
I ndi an s adhu s , y et s u ch a re not q u i t e u n kn own .

222
 P E R S O NA L E X P E R I E NCE S W I TH S AD H U S

S om e ye ars ago a t s u m m e r c apit al Of t he I n di an

S im l a , t h e
G o ve rn m e n t I i n t er vi e we d on e Ch arle s d e R u sse t t e a y ou n g
, ,

m an o f Fre n ch d e sc e n t wh o al t h ou gh b r o u ght u p as a , ,

Chris t i an an d p rop e rly e du cat e d i n Bi sh o p Co t t on s sch o ol ’

i n t h at t o wn had whi l e a m e re b oy e m b ra ce d t h e life o f a

‘

, , ,

s adhu . I u n de r s t o o d t h at h e h ad i n h eri t e d s om e p rop ert y ,

whi c h he m ad e over t o hi s sis t er s r eserv m g n ot hi n g for ,

hi m s e lf Why h e ab an do n e d Chris t i ani t y for Hi n duism I

.

did n o t fi n d o u t a s he was di si n cli n e d t o t alk ab ou t t h e

,

m at t er ; b u t wh at e v er t h e c au s e whi ch s e v ere d hi m fr o m
,

E ur op e an li fe an d t h ou gh t i t was e viden t t ha t he di d n o t ,

r e gre t t h e s t e p h e h ad t ak e n an d t h at h e was w e ll s at i sfi e d
!

wi t h his c on di t i on an d m o d e o f lif e as a H i n du de v o t e e
a S an yas i I t hi n k , .

J u dgi n g fro m o u tward app e aran ce s t he m an h ad n ot ,

s u ffe re d an y s u ch physi c al in c on veni e n c e s a s wou ld affe ct :

hi s h e al t h an d h e was p ar tic ul arly w e ll cl ot h e d t h ou gh no t

, ,

i n an y sadhu s t yl e t h at I h ave e v e r s e en He i n f orm e d .

m e t h at h e liv e d hi s s o li t ary lif e i n t h e n e ighbo u rh oo d o f

S i m l a throu gho u t t h e y e ar e v en i n wi n te r wh e n t h e s n o w
, ,

l ay d e e p u p on t h e m oun t ai n s O f his fell o w s adhu s h e .

sp ok e i n t erm s Of high p rais e an d ass ur e d m e t h at h e h ad ,

s e en Yogi ade p t s p e rform m an y m o st w on d erful a ct s O f .

virt u e an d vice he di sc o ur s e d i n t h e u s u al way m ai n t ai n ,

i n g t h at i t was n ot n e c e ss ary t o b e a Ch ris t i an i n o rd e r t o

’
l e ad a vi rt u o u s li fe De R u sset t e s i n t ell e ct u al capac t y
'

s e em e d Of a v e ry or di nary k in d b u t I ha ve n o d ou b t h e
!

c om m an ds t h e hi ghe st re sp e ct from t he n at ive s an d li ve s ,

idly h appy an d c on t en t e d wi t h o u t an y an xi e t y ab ou t t he
, ,

m o rr o w .

Th e ph ot o graph r e p rod u c e d h ere (Fi g 12) is an .

e xc e ll e n t l i k en e ss of t h e m an as I saw hi m at S i m l a i n
‘

18 9 4 .

7 . A NA KED S ANY A s r AND H I s COM PAN I ON ,

A P R I N CE S S OF B

In form at ion t ha t
‘

an i n t e re st i n g grou p of s ad hu s was
en c am p e d on t he m ai dan (Op en pl ai n ) n e ar t he L ah or e F ort
h avi n g re ach ed m e I wen t t he re o n e ,
m orn i n g t o m ake t h e
223
TH E M YS TI C S , AS GETI CS ,
'

AN D S A I NT S O F I ND I A
a cqu ain tan c e o f t he visit o rs an d i n cre as e m y stock Of
kn o wl e dg e ab ou t s adhu i sm .

The l ead er s o f t h e p ar t y w e r e a n ak e d S an yasi an d ,

an al m o st n ak e d S a n gus i n who l e t p e opl e u n d e r st an d t h at

s he was a wid o w e d an d chi ldl e ss d au gh t e r o f t h e R aj ah o f

’
B No t m an y m i n u t e s c on ve r s atio n wi t h t he sadhu
w ere n e e de d t o s atisfy m e t h at he was at b e st a sh am e l e ss
r e p ro b at e b u t as I t h o u gh t hi s po rtrai t wo ul d e n rich m y
, ,

coll e c t i on I e xp re ss ed a wish t o t ake a ph ot ograph of hi m

,

an d his f oll o w e r s This s u gge s t io n tickl e d his v ani t y an d

.
,

he had t h e e flr on t e ry t h o u gh I am s u r e he di d n o t wish
,

to b e i m p ertin e n t t o O ffer t o h av e hi m s elf t ak e n i n a m o s t

,

Obj e c t i on abl e an d u n s ee m l y at t i t u d e whi ch wo ul d d e m on ,

strate his vi rili t y to t h e gre ate st advan t age Hi s f em ale .

c om p ani on was I sh o ul d s ay u n de r t wen ty fi v e year s Of

, ,
-

age , an d n ot p art icu l arly at trac t iv e S he w ore h er h air .

cu t sh o rt an d bl e ach e d a s or t o f y ell o w b r o wn whil e t he -

,

S an yas i wore a r e sp e ct abl e b e ar d an d h ad hi s l on g n e atly , ,

pl aite d h ai r w oun d r ou n d hi s h e ad an d k e p t i n pl ac e by ,

a b i t o f a t u rb an Of d ark c olo u r e d c o t t o n cl o t h
-
B o th of .

the m had ash e s r u bb e d over th ei r p ers on s Thr ee or fo ur .

s adhu s ,
o n e o f t h e m a Kanphata Yogi had j oi n e d th e s e ,

w orthi e s as t rave lli n g c o m p ani on s A b oy d ev o t ee of .

a b ou t t w e lv e y ear s Of age als o b el o n g e d t o t he c o m p an y ,

an d s e e m e d d e v o t e d t o t h e S an gus i n .

While I c on vers e d wi t h t he s adhus u n d er a gro u p of

tre e s t h e re was a s m all an d e v er ch an gi n g g ath eri n g o f
,
-

a bo u t t wo h u n dr e d p e r s on s r o u n d th e s e q u e er t h ou gh ,

e vid e n tly m u ch r e sp e c t e d wan de rers M os t o f t he visit or s

, .

had dr opp e d i n a s i t w e r e t o pay th e i r r e sp e c t s t o t he

, ,

s a dhus af t e r h avi n g h ad t h e i r m orni n g b ath i n t he riv e r .

The n ak e d m e n dic an t an d his c om p an i on t he al m o st n u d e

‘

S an yasi n w e re n ot e difyi n g sigh t s ; ye t wo m e n gi rls an d

, , ,

childr en of re sp e ct abl e f am i li e s were all g azi n g at t h e m

re v ere n ti ally wi t h ou t an y sign o f sh am e o r b ashful n e ss
,
.

Th e y we re h oly p rivil e g e d p e opl e th e s e s adhu s an d n o t ,

t o b e r e g ar d e d wi t h o rdi n ary e y e s o r j u dg e d by c u sto m ary

s t an dards Yet whi ls t I was p r e s en t a p rot e s t was rai s ed
.
, ,

by s om e Aryas — s e ct ari an s Of a n e w sch ool again s t t h e -

’
S an yas i s n u d en e ss An gr y a ccu s ati on s an d bitte r re to rts
.

2 24
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S O F I ND I A
d e scrib e d for E ur o p ean re ad er s h en c e t hei r o ppo si
‘

sadhu ,

ti on an d i n t erfe re n c e H o we ve r t h e s oot hi n g i n flu e n ce o f
.
,

t wo o r t h r e e ru p e e s e n abl e d m e t o di sp e l t h e s u spici on s
ar ou s e d i n t he m i n ds o f t h e S an yas i an d hi s s u p p or t e r s

an d t o s e c u re t h e ph o t ogr aph I w an t e d T hi s I h ave n o w .

m u ch p l e as ur e i n re p r o d u ci n g (Fi g a s it is I am .
,
‘

i n clin e d t o thi n k u n iqu e i n i t s ch aract er

, .

8 . A S AD H U OF R OY A L L I NEA GE PRI N CE B I R
”
B H AN U S I N GH .

On t he Of May 18 9 9 at t he S an k alwalla
21s t ,

m on a s t ery al on gsid e t h e G old en T e m pl e Of Am ri t s ar I

, ,

i n t e rvi e we d a yo u n g s adhu Of ab ou t t hi rt y y ear s Of age wh o ,

h ad ar ou s e d m y i n t e r e s t by cl ai m i n g t o b e a son Of M ah araj ah
Dul e e p S i n gh No w Du le e p S i n gh was t he i n fan t Ki n g
.
,

Of t he P un j ab whe n t h at c ou n t ry was an n e x e d by t h e '

B ri t ish i n 18 49 H e was r em ov e d t o E n gl an d e m b rac e d

.
,

Christi an i t y t he re live d t he li fe o f an E n glish g e n t l e m an

, ,

an d , i n hi s Old age o ffe n de d by wh at h e c on sid e r e d t he

,

p arsi m on y o f t he G overn m en t t owards hi m t ri e d t o ,

fo m e n t s e di t i on i n t he Pun j ab wi t h a vi e w t o his own

re st o r ati on t o t h e th ron e o f his f ath er t he f am o u s R an j it ,

S i n gh .

’
The s adhu who cl ai m e d t o b e R anj i t s gran ds on s aid
he wa s bo rn i n E n gl an d an d st at e d t h at a few m on ths , ,

b e f ore hi s arrival at Am ri t s ar h e had m et an o t h e r s on ,

Of t he l at e M ah araj ah Dul eep S i n gh The y o un g m an .

,

wh o h ad a w e ak f a c e m i ld gr e y e ye s an d di d n o t l ook
, ,

p artic u l arly rob u st was un de r t he s ur veill an c e Of t wo

,

p olic em en n ot i n uni fo rm M y adve n t was t he e xc u s e fo r .

a n u m b e r o f idl er s t o c on g r e g at e A ch ai r was b r ou ght .

fo r m e . Two m e n wh o a cc om p ani e d m e sq u att e d wi t h

t h e s adhu o n hi s m at un d e r t h e r o o f Of a l on g v au l t e d
ar c ad e — a cl ois t er i n f act , .

M y h o s t if I m ay so d e si gn at e hi m i nform e d m e th at
, ,

he had b e e n b r ou gh t t o I n di a wh e n v e ry y ou n g an d h ad ,

b e en e du c at e d at B en are s Who hi s m ot h er was I did .

n ot l i k e t o i n q ui r e I had a p an di t wi t h m e who
.

c on v ersed wi t h t he sadhu an d afte rwards ass u red m e ,

226
T H E MY S T I C S A S CE TI C S AN D
, , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
I co u ld n ot he lp e xp re ssi n g a h o p e t h at t he p o or f ellow
was n ot a wret ch e d t o ol i n t he h an ds Of u n scru p u l ou s
a gitato rs .

I s u bj oi n with ou t ve rb al alte rati on a curi o u s pri n te d

l e afle t i n stran ge E n glish whi ch t he sadhu Pri n ce B i r
Bh anu S in g was g o o d en ou gh t o h an d t o m e as we
p art e d .

GOOD COMM E N DM E N TS OF H O LY BIB LE .

O c arn el m in d e d m an ! th o u b e tt er cl e an thy o wn fl e sh
a n d t e ach o th e r t he s am e s alvat i o n s aid by L o r d Ch rist .

Wh o h as n otj yed t his ; he is n o t o f hi m To wh o m

en o .

h e h at h s aid t o b e child t o k ee p his s ayi n gs .

0 c am e ] m i n d e d m an ! n ot f ail to k e e p his s ayi n gs ;

,
.

b e li e ve hi m e arly B e s u re he c am e from Alm ighty p ower

.
,
.

H e av en is witn e ss Of t hi s th ere fore e ve ry Pall wan t t o

, ,

o blig e b o th ki n g t o p e o pl e w i th t hi s Go d c om en dm e n t s
if t h e y are with ou t t his .

0 c arn e l mi n de d m an ! Of this w orld ! b e li e v e m y

’
n th at h e is ab o v e b e c au s e t he h e aven c an t e n t ic e hi m
p e ,

who h ath co m e to kn ow t he b e s t w ork Of L ord Christ .

O c arn e l m i n d e d m an ! Chris t h at h B e n t clos ely we ll

all hi s h ear t s u n t o Go d An d h at h fou ght b e st ag ai n st all
.

w orld He is fou n d o nly t e a ch er o f Op en h e art who is

.
,

n o t o f hi m ; th ere fore h e c an oblige th em both ki n g t o

p e o pl e wi t h g o od c o m en dm en t s s aid by hi m .

0 c arn e l mi n d e d m an ! b e s e e ch yo u ! th at yo u h av e
do n e wron g all with ou t t he b e st kn o wl e dg e te ach e d by
gl o rifie d s on Of Al m ighty fat h er H e has no thi n g wi t h
.

o u b u t o nl y t h e sam e s alv atio n as he t au ght t o his P all

y
t o p u rify fi rs t hi s o wn fl e sh an d th e n l o v e Go d wi t h all
h e arts ; b e cau s e with ou t t his n on e c an c au ght t he s am e
,

ligh t as th e y di d thyse lf b e fo re th eir advo cate L o rd

Christ .

O c arn el m i n d ! you are bli n d to fi n d o u t t he s am e

l i gh t t old by t he h oly t o n gu e b e cau s e you are n o t cl e an e d
af t e r t h e s am e m an n e r as P all l earn e d wi t h Christ ,

t h erefo re yo u are b ou n d t o f oll o w t he b e st w ork o f hi m .

I f you f ail to d o so yo u are oblige d t o ke e p his s ayi n gs

,

as child .

22 8
T H E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS O F I ND I A
ears h e h ad v e r y stric t ly p erf orm e d t he c e re m o n i es
y p r e

scrib e d by hi s religi on down t o t he m i nu te st an d m o st

,

t ryin g de tails .

At l e n gth on e d ay hi s st e ady an d p r o l on g e d d evo t io n

t o d u t y m e t wi t h re c og ni ti on A voice c am e t o hi m .

s ayi n g I am wi t h th e e th ou art cl ean r e frai n h en c efort h

, , ,

”
from all t h e s e Obs ervan c e s The v oic e was a cl e ar an d .

a u di ble voic e lik e t h at Of o n e m an sp e aki n g t o an o t h e r n o t

, ,

a v o ic e i n t h e h e a rt o r t h e i n n e r co n scio u s n e ss .

C on vi n c e d t h at it was t h e v oic e o f Go d whic h sp ok e

th u s un t o hi m h e o b e ye d i t s c om m an d u n h e sit ati n gly
,
.

S om e m o n t hs l at er t he s am e voic e s aid t o hi m Th ou ,

h ast n othi n g t o do wi t h p rop e rty o r wi t h fam ily ti e s GO , .

fort h fro m t hy ho m e I am wi th t he e always

. He
re sig n e d all his p r op e rty forthwi t h t o his c hi l dr e n di st ri ,

b u t e d fi v e h u n dre d an d twen ty fi v e ru p ee s i n c ash am on gst -

t he p o or c an c ell e d all d e b t s d u e t o hi m an d w an d e re d
, ,

f orth alo n e .

I d on t b eli e ve i n S hastras or Vedas or M antras

’
,
”
s aid t he s adhu t o m e I have God ! , Cate chi s e d on
thi s p oi n t m y visito r adm i t t e d th at s u ch t hi n gs as Ve d as
,

an d t h e lik e w e r e u s e fu l fo r w o rldli n gs b u t n ot for o n e ,

who had foun d God To wh om was he t o p ray wh e n Go d

.

was a lways wi th hi m gu i di n g an d i n s t ru cti n g hi m ?

,

H owe ve r wi t h all hi s e m an cip at i o n fro m th eol o gical

,

an d c ere m o n i al r e st rai n t s t h e s adhu I f o u n d ou t was n o t

, , ,

p re p are d t o e at f oo d which h ad b een h an dl e d or e v e n

’
t ou ch e d by m e H e had n ot as ye t re ce ive d G od s
.
, ,

p e rm issio n t o d o so m u ch as tha t The h ere ditary c as t e .

p re j u dice was t o o str o n gly i n grai n e d i n hi m t oo e ss en ti al a ,

p ort io n of hi s v ery n at u re to b e ligh t ly set aside e ve n by ,

t his e n fran chis e d Hi n d u .

M y visit or b oaste d th at he t ook n o m e dici n e wh en

h e got sick an d th at h e r e c ov e re d his h e alth wi t h ou t
,

t h e ai d o f an y phys i ci an Whe n m y app oi n t e d t i m e

.
!

c om e s ,wh o c an s ave m y l i fe s ai d h e An d t i ll .
,

t he p r e d e s t i n e d m o m en t h as arriv e d how c an I p o ssibly ,

di e 9

The sc e t ic was c o m f ort ab ly an d cl e anl y dre ss e d i n

a an

o ran ge c olo u re d dhoty or l oi n cl oth an d a l ong k urta

-
or

2 30
 P E R S O N AL E X P E R I E NCE S W I T H S AD H U S

tun ic o f t he s am e t in t an d wore a s m all n e at ly t i e d , ,

turb an B u t for t he c ol our o f his c l ot h e s i t w o ul d n o t

. .
,

h ave b e e n p o ssi ble t o re c ogni s e i n t hi s m an a p rofe ss e d

s adhu .

H e h ad disc arde d t he s acre d t hre ad al t h ou gh e n t it l e d t o

we ar i t b ei n g a Kshat ri ya by b i rt h ; b u t h e h ad n ot b e e n
,

i ni t i at e d i n t o an y o f t h e e xis t i n g s e ct s o r orde r s o f Hi n du
asc e t i cs .

H e di d n ot sp e ak Of S i v a or Vishn u b u t o n ly Of God , .

A few d ays aft er t he s adhu s visi t t o m e I l e arn e d

’
, ,

wit h ou t s u rp ri s e t h at he had n o t b e e n qu i t e di si n t ere s t e d

,

i n s ee ki n g m y a cqu ai n t an c e Wh at h e re ally wan t e d an d .

,

appli e d fo r was p e cu n i ary h e lp t o p ri n t an d ci r c ul at e a

,

p am phl e t or b o okle t of a re ligio u s ch aract e r of which he

was hi m s e lf t h e au t h or .

10
. A SU N -
WOR S HI PPI N G B AI R A C I .

No t far fr om t he S hah alm i g ate Of L ah ore city o u tside ,

t h e walls ar e s om e fi n e p e e p u l tr e e s
,
A b ou t t h e f oo t of on e .

o f t h e s e a ci r cu l ar e ar t h e n pl at f orm h ad b e en co n s t ru ct e d

ab o u t t h ree f ee t ab o v e t h e g r ou n d l e v e l with ru de s t e ps -
,

l e adi n g u p t o it Pa ssi n g t his sp ot I n o t i c e d t hre e or four

.
,

wom e n s e at e d o n t he pl at form c on versin g wi t h a sadhu ,

a h an ds om e d ar k f e ll o w n o t ov e r cl o th e d wi t h his h ai r i n
,
-
,

a gr e at c oil u p on hi s h e a d An o th er asc e t ic was s t an di n g

.

on on e le f ac i n g t he t r un k o f t h e t re e hi s h e ad e n v e l o p e d
g ,

i n a l o os e cl ot h re s em bl i n g a n apki n an d hi s f ac e u pli ft e d ,

t ow ards t h e srm whi ch was shi n i n g t h r ou gh t h e b ran ch e s

,

o f t he tr ee We ll w ort h cl o s er s t u dy was t hi s grou p an d

.

s o I p au s ed t o r e g ar d i t an d t o l e arn if p o ssibl e s om e t hi n g
, , ,

ab o u t t he s adhu s Th e m an stan di n g on on e l e g was

.

g oi n g t hrou gh c ertai n de vo t i on s I n hi s l e ft h an d h e .

h eld a b ag c on t ai ni n g a ro s ary an d wi t h hi s right i n , ,

se rt e d i n t h e b a h e c o u n t e d hi s b e ads whi l e h e m u t t e r e d
‘

g ,

c e rt ai n p ray e r s o r p re sc rib e d re l i gi ou s f o rm u l as I ph o t o .

graph e d hi m i n t his p o si ti on (Fi g Wh en he h ad .

fi ni she d hi s p raye r s h e st o o d s t i ll o n o n e le g b e fore a t i n y

, , ,

b rass i do l o f R am ach an dra whi c h had b e e n pl ace d agai n s t

t he t re e al m o s t s m o t h ere d u n d e r a p ro f u si on o f m arig o ld
,

23 1
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S , , A N D S AI N T S O F IND I A
”

fl o we r s . The s adhu n o w p oure d o u t t hr e e sh ells f ul l Of

wat er b e for e t he i d ol m ade ce rt ai n Ob eis an c e s an d wen t
, ,

t o t he oth er sid e o f t he t re e There ag ai n on on e l e g .

, ,

an d fa ci n g t he b righ t un cl ou d e d su n h e m u t t ere d his ,

p ray er s t o t he gr e at l u m i n ary At fi rs t he h eld on e h an d .

o u t s t re t ch e d t ow ar ds S u ry a ; t h e n h e e n twi n e d t h e fin g e r s
Of t h e t wo h an ds t og e t h e r i n s t ran ge ways ; n e xt h e ld hi s
h an ds wi t h p al m s Opp os e d t owards t h e su n go d an d l ast ly
, ,
-
, ,

e xt e n d e d b o th hi s h an ds app e ali n gly t ow ards t h e g ran d

obj e ct o f his w or shi p U t teri n g s om e S an skri t w ords i n

.

a l o u d v o ic e he b rou gh t his d e v ot i on s t o an en d by a
,

lib at i on Of a c on ch fu ll Of wat er to t he sun After tu rni n g .

r o u n d th re e t i m e s h e wen t b ack t o t he o t h er sid e o f t he

,

t re e an d s at d o wn H e was n ow fr e e t o co n ve r s e with
.

visi t ors s o I a ddr e ss e d hi m an d l e arn e d th at he was a

, ,

B ai ragi wh o s e n at ive pl ac e was B en are s H e s aid he h ad .

b e en t o K ashm i r to visit Am ar N at h th at h e had b e en ,

f av our e d by t he M ah araj ah o f J um m u an d was i n t he ,

re c e ipt o f a s u bsiste n c e all o w an c e g ran t e d hi m by th at

chi e f H e als o sp ok e o f t h e f av ou rs h e had re c eiv e d from
.

t h e R aj ah o f B ar o d a All thi s o f c our s e to rais e hi m i n

.
, ,

m y e s t i m at i on .

The B a i ragi h ad b ee n a y ear i n L ah ore livi n g un d er ,

t h e p e e p ul t re e whe re I f ou n d hi m H is pl ace Of ab od e .

t h e r ais e d e ar th e n pl at f orm — was s m o o t h cl e an an d w e ll , ,

swe pt On it w er e pil e d i n on e pl ace a l o t o f w o o d fu el

.
,

both dr y an d gr e en A s m oul de ri n g fi re d e cl are d i t s.

p r e s en c e by t he whi t e sm ok e it g av e off in to t he b re e z y
at m o sph ere Th ere we re t h re e o r four g arm en ts lyi n g i n a
.

h e ap t og e t h er whi ch I p re s u m e were t he B ai ragi s b e ddi n g

,
’

an d c o v eri n g d ur i n g t h e n ight N e ar t he di m i n u t ive id o l

.

s t oo d a g o u rd sh ap e d b rass v ess el whi ch s eem e d to b e

-
,

qu it e n e w an d a hu g e p e c u li ar s erp en t i n e tru m p e t
,
.

Wh e n I Op en e d c on vers at i on wi t h t h e B ai ragi m y ,

at t e n d an t well ve rs e d i n su ch m at t e rs o ffe re d hi m v e ry
, , ,

r e sp e ct f ul ly a c o u pl e o f ru p e e s
,
whi ch n o d ou b t he lp e d t o , , ,

pl ac e u s at o n c e o n a fri e n dly f oo t i n g I t is t ru e t he .

s adhu did n o t t ou ch t he m on e y b u t i n dic at e d by a g e st u re ,

t h at i t m igh t b e pl ac e d o n a m at n e ar hi m I c ould see .

th at he k ept a wat chful e ye on i t for a fe w m i n u te s ; he

232
 P E R S O NAL EX P E R I E N CE S W I TH S AD H U S

t hen qu i e t ly sign e d t o on e o f hi s chelas t o re m ove t he silver

c oin s A s t o his h abi t s t h e B ai ragi assure d m e t h at he
.
,

did n ot s m ok e ch ara s n or dr i n k bh an g T o b acc o was t h e .

onl y l u x ur y i n whi ch h e i n d ul g e d an d whil e I was wi t h ,

hi m h e disp o s e d o f a chi llu m (pipe ) Of it t o his o wn

e n j o ym en t .

Whe n I firs t arrive d at t he B ai ragi s pl atform t here

’

—
were very e w p e opl e ab ou t on ly t he t hre e or fou r w om en
f
t o wh om I h ave al re ady re fe rre d an d a s m all p arty of ,

childre n playi n g u n der t he t re e s ; b u t m y pre s en c e s o on

b r o u ght a crowd r o u n d u s for we w ere cl o s e t o a p u blic
,

Ne ar by was a w ’
t h or ou ghf are . om e n s b at hi n g pl ac e i n -

t h e c an al ,
c on c e al e d from p u blic vi e w by a sh e e t i ron -

scre en F rom b ehi n d t hi s e n cl o su re as I c on v er s e d wi t h

.
,

t h e B ai ragi e m erg e d
, a w om an i n drippi n g g arm e n t s ,

e xp o si n g a g o o d d e al o f h er sh ap e ly p e rs on Two e ld e rly .

at t e n d an t s w ai t e d u p on h e r as s h e ch an g e d h e r we t cl o th e s

wi t h ou t m u ch affe ct at i on or c er em on y an d s e at e d h er s elf on ,

a st o o l i n t h e s u n shi n e t o h av e h e r l o n g bl ack t r e ss e s dri e d

an d o t h e r wi s e at t e n d e d t o Th e w om an was c e rt ain ly f ai r
.

t o l ook u p on an d t he t h o u gh t st ru ck m e t h at t h e sp o t
,

was w e ll ch o s en by t h e B a i ragi s for t h ei r s oj our n if t h e y ,

wishe d t o c on qu er an d n ot fle e ign omi ni ous ly from

, ,

c ert ain t e m p t at i on s again s t whi c h frai l h u m ani t y is n o t

u s u ally v e r y s t r on g P e rh aps how e v e r t h e s ai n t s we r e
.
, ,

n o t qu i t e s o h er oic o r so f o ol ish
, as I h av e i m agi n e d an d
, ,

were g u ide d t o t he s e l e ct i on Of t hat p art icul ar pl ac e for

t h ei r c am pi ng g rou n d m e re ly by a k e e n e ye t o p e c u ni ar y
-

r e s ul ts ; sin c e af t e r all
, it is t h e w o m en f olk who are t he
,
’
-

b e st s u pp orter s o f sadhu i sm i n I n di a or els ewhe re .

11 Y o GI s AND P I OU S
. WOMEN .

A p arty h alf a d o z e n o r m ore Yogi s c am e t o L ah ore

of

an d m a d e t h e m s e lv e s s o m e wh at c o n sp i c u o u s by o cc u p i n g
y
f avou rabl e p o si t i on s al on gsi de s om e o f t he m ai n t h orou gh
f are s On e Of t h e s e s adhu s u s e d t o si t at t he m e e t i n g
.

o f t h re e r oads an d was t h e o bj e c t
, o f a gre at d eal o f
a t t en t i on e sp e ci ally
, from t he wom e n who p ai d t hei r ,
.

re sp e cts t o M ah araj a s t h e y w e n t by hi m o n the i r

2 33
 TH E M YS TI C S A S C E T I C S
, , A ND S AI N T S O F IN D I A
h om e ward j o urn e y after t he d aily m at u tin al b at h i n t he
riv e r R avi .

Th e s e g o o d cre atur e s w ere m u ch e xe r cis e d i n m i n d

‘

at s eei n g t h e h oly a sc e t ics e at i n g pi n ch e s Of w oo d a sh e s

fr om t im e t o t i m e an d s o m e m ore d e v o u t or m ore i m
, ,

p u lsiv e t h an t h e o t h ers b e gg e d on e o f t h e Yogi s t o p ermi t

,

th e m t o m i ni s t er t o hi s w an t s H e h au gh t ily d e cli n e d .

t h ei r assistan c e ; b u t t o o n e pi o u s l ady m or e p re ssi n g ,

th an t he r e s t i n her Offer s o f s ervice he c on de sc en de d ,

t o e xpl ai n t h at he h ad t ak e n a v o w n e ve r t o lif t a m or s el
o f fo od n y t hi n g b u t sh s hi h wi h hi
(o r a a e ) t o s m ou t t s
”
o wn h an d P erm i t m e M ah araj s aid t he m i nis t r an t
, ,

f air o n e t o f e e d you with m y Own h an ds

,
I t wi ll b e .

an h on our t o m e an d m i n e .

The s ai n t g o od n at u r e dl y b u t s t ill r e l u c t an t ly yi eld e d

-
, ,

t he p o i n t H en c e f orth t h e fav ou re d o n e fe d hi s s ai n t shi p

.

d ily a
a n
,
d so did o n e o r t wo o th e r w om e n — am o n gs t th e m

a b e au tif u l gi rl o f ab ou t s i xt ee n y e ar s o f a e
g E v e ry d ay .
,

wh en t he Yogi had p artak en Of as m u ch f o o d as he c are d

fo r h e w o u ld bl e ss t h e r e m ai n d er bid di n g his ki n d fri en ds
, ,

t o p ar t ak e Of it t h e m s e lve s .

The r e gu l ar m eal ti m e o f t he l u cky Yogi b e c am e an

-

e v e n t o f i n t ere s t t o t h e p ass e r s b an d a c e r t ai n m an
y
-
, ,

wh o p ro b ably liv e d or h ad hi s pl a c e o f b u si n e ss i n t h e
i m m e di ate n eighb ou rh o od was i n t he h abit Of c o m i n g t o ,

watch t he p ro c ee di n gs O bs e rvi n g p e rh aps wi t h a p an g

.
,

o f j e al o u sy t he b e au t if ul y o un g gi rl I h av e al lu d e d t o
,

f ee di n g t he al m ost n ak e d Yogi wi t h her own d elic at e

fing er s t his di sc on t en t e d sp e ctato r ven t u re d t o w on d er i n
,

au dibl e t e rm s wh e t h er sh e was as at t e n tiv e t o h e r h u sb an d

as sh e was t o t h e s ai n t O f co u rs e t he yo un g wife .
,

drawi n g he r ve il o ve r h er f a ce b ashfu lly s u gg e ste d th at ,

t he ru d e f e ll o w m igh t m i n d hi s o wn b u si n e ss ; b u t t h e
Yogi i rri t at e d by hi s i m p e rt i n e n ce sh owe re d a voll e y Of
, ,

ab u s e u p o n hi m d e si ri n g hi m at t he s am e t i m e t o t ak e
,

hi m s elf Off an d n o t st an d t h e re s t ari n g at hi s b e t t e r s .

U n c om pl i m en t ary e pi t h e t s w e re f re e ly e xch an ge d t i ll t h e ,

a sc e t i c l o si n g hi s t e m p e r t h re w his s t i c k at t he i n t ru d er
, , ,

b u t wi t h ou t e ffe c t H e n e x t h ur l e d a pi e c e o f l i gh t e d
.

fire w ood at t he m an an d m ore s u cc e ssful t hi s t im e, , ,

2 34
 A S CE T I C S AN D
N

TH E M YS T I C S , , S AI N T S O F I ND I A
ps e u do sadhu he had s u c ce ssfu lly e lu de d t he vigil an ce o f
-
,

t he police livin g u n re c ogn is e d am on gs t m an y re al s adhus

, ,

m e n Of t ru e pi e ty an d e sti m able ch aracte r .

Natu rally I wish e d t o kn ow s om e t hi n g m ore ab ou t

,

this m an an d his e xp e rie n c e s M y i n qu irie s e v e n t u ally .

le d t o m y l e arn i n g t he f o ll owi n g st ory Of his adv e n tu re s

fr om a S i k h ge n t l e m an wh o ass u re d m e t h at he h ad h e ard
,

i t fr om t h e qu on d am s adhu hi m s e lf -
The d e t ai ls m ay or .

m ay n ot b e accu r at e— m ost lik e ly t h e l at t e r ; b u t t h e m ai n

fe at u re s o f t he n arrative are p r ob ably t h os e acce pte d by
t he p u blic an d kn ow n i n t h e b a z aars .

B e i n g im plic ate d i n s om e way i n c e rt ai n s e dit i o u s

m o ve m e n ts i n c o nn e c t i on wi t h p oli t ic al d e sig n s Of t he l ate
M ah araj ah Du lee p S i n gh which c au s e d a fl u tt e r i n t he
P u n j ab a fe w y e ar s ago t h e S i k h i n qu e s t i on was arre s t e d
,

by order Of t he G ove rn m en t an d de tain e d as a p ris on er i n

,

t he f o r t Of L ah or e i n ch arg e Of t he m ilit ary au t h ori t ie s .

The c e ll i n which he was c on fi n e d wa s i n an u pp er

st ore y an d o p e n e d u p on t he flat t errac e r o of Of o n e Of
,

t he b u i ldin gs I t was g u ar de d by B ri t ish s oldi e rs ; b u t

.

n e v e rt h e l e ss t he h o p e o f e ffe ctin g an e sc ap e fro m his

j ai le rs di d n o t de s er t t he c aptive I t was t he c us t om for .

t h e r e lie vi n g s e n t ry t o Op e n t he d o o r Of t h e c e ll an d
s atisfy hi m s e lf o f t h e ac t u al p re s e n ce Of t he p ris on e r the re ,

b e f ore h e c o m m e n c e d his wat ch u p on t he roof t op -

.

Day f oll owe d d ay an d t he h op e o f e sc ap e b e c am e l e ss

,

an d l e ss wh en on e n igh t t he s oldie r wh o c am e t o t ake

,

o ve r ch arge b e in g sli ghtly t h e w o rs e for liqu or c are

, ,

l e ssly o m it te d t o l o ck t he c e ll d oor s e cu re ly The l on g .

wishe d for h o ur had c om e L iste n in g b re at hle ssly t o t he

-
.

m on o t o n o u s t ram p t ram p Of t he s e n t ry as he w a lke d t o

,

a n d fro t h e p ris on e r s e i z e d t he m o s t fav our able m om e n t

,

t o e ffe c t his e sc ap e an d m o vi n g r apidly an d s i le n t ly wi t h

, ,

b are fe e t a cr o ss a n Op e n sp ac e c re p t u p t o t he p arap e t ,
.

The n i gh t was cle ar e n o u gh t o sh o w hi m t h a t a j u m p d o w n

fro m t h at p os i t i on was n o t t o b e t h o u gh t o f b u t t he flat ,

r oo f o f a l e ss l o f t y b u ildi n g was m u c h n e ar e r t h an t he
s u rfac e o f t he c ou n t ry o u t s i de an d s e e m e d t o a fford a,

gle am o f h op e t o o n e p re p are d t o t ake n o ordi n ary risks .

The fi n e o ld f or t o f t he M ogu l e m p e ro rs had l on g si n c e

2 36
 P E R S O NA L E X P E R I E NCE S W I T H S AD H U S

s e e n its b e s t d ays an d was i n m an y place s c ru m blin g

,

a w ay . The S i k h c au ti o u sly di sl o dge d a b rick o r t wo ; he

the n u n wou n d his lo n g t u rb an an d t yin g a b rick t o on e, ,

e n d o f it fl un g i t o ve r t h e p roj e ctin g b r an c h o f a t re e
,

whi c h m os t Opp ort u n e ly was gr owi n g i n a ve ry c o n ve n i e n t

p osit i on By t he ai d Of t he b ou gh an d the l on g t urb an
.

c l o th t h e p r is on e r r e ach e d t he r o o f b e l o w The r e s t was .

c om p arative ly e asy w ork Fro m t he l owe r ro o f which he

.

had g ain e d he dr opp e d i n t o t he c o u rtyard o f a s m all

te m ple s c ale d i t s c om p arat ive ly low walls an d fo u n d
, ,

hi m s e lf on t he ro adway o u t s i de t he f o rt i fic at i on s .

Alre ady t he p ris on e r was m i sse d an d t he hu e an d cry ,

- -

h ad b e e n rai s e d i n t he f or t whi l e t he e arlie s t i n di c at i on s

,

Of appr oachi n g dawn sh owi n g u p on t he e as t e rn sky w arn e d

'

hi m t h at t h e re was n o t a m o m e n t t o b e l os t .

Wi t h all t he sp e e d he c ou ld c om m an d t he e sc ap e d ,

p ris on er m ade for t he rive r s i de an d c on ce ale d hi m s e lf ,

i n t he al m o st i m p e n e tr able f o re s t o f t all ree ds an d b u l

ru sh e s whi ch S ki rts t h e m ar gin Of t he R avi A ll d ay .

h e lay l ow an d wh e n ni ght c am e o n m ade his way t o a

, , ,

s m all village s o m e wh at Off t he b e at e n tra ck The re was .

n o s erai or re c o g n is e d r e s t h o u s e for t rav e ll e r s h e re

-
so in , ,

a cc or d an c e wi t h t h e us u al c u st o m i n t he P u n j ab ou r S i k h ,

m alc on t e n t s ou gh t t h e h o spit ali t y Of t h e vill ag e b arb e r ,

wh o g ave hi m she lte r an d s o m e f oo d The S i k h t oo k .

e sp e ci al n ote Of t he pl ace wh er e t he b arb e r ke p t t h e

in s t ru m e n t s Of his c raft an d du ri n g t he night qu ie t ly
,

abs t r ac t e d a raz or an d a p air Of sciss o rs Pro vide d wi t h .

t he s e h e re tir e d t o a l on e ly pl a c e ou t Ofl hi s l on g h ai r
, ,

an d he ar d a s w e ll as he c o u ld a n d th e n sh av e d h i s h e ad
,

an d f a c e qui t e cl e an NO l o n g e r was h e a S i k h n o l on g e r
.
,

a re b e l b u t o n ly a p o or s adhu b ou nd o n a pilg ri m ag e t o
,

H ar dwar on t he h oly G an ge s Th e g o o d folks he m e t .

he lp e d h i m al on g an d he at l ast re ach e d t he s acre d r ive r

,

an d fe ll i n wi t h m an y s adhus th e r e Wi t h s o m e o f t he s e .

he frat e rn i s e d a n d i n th e i r c o m p an y w an d e r e d ab ou t f r o m
,

pl ac e t o pl ac e for s om e m on t hs .

I n t h e c ou rs e o f his r o vi n gs h e c am e t o Me e ru t a n d ,

at this i m p or tan t t own by p u t t in g appare n t ly c as u al

,

u e sti o ns t o v ari o u s visito rs wh o c am e to th i r re sp e cts

q a
p y e

2 37
T H E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S A I N TS OF INDIA
t o S adhu 11, he l e arn e d , t o
-
his gr e at d e light th at G ov e rn ,

m e n t had g ran te d a fre e p ar don t o all wh o h ad b e e n

c on c ern e d i n t he Du lee p S in gh affair N o thi n g c ou ld .

r e strai n his j o y H e r e p u di at e d his sadhu i s m f ort hwi t h

.
,

b ad e his kin d c om p an i on s fare we ll an d h aste n e d h o m e ,

t o l e arn a ll t h at h ad o ccu rre d am on gst his ki n sf olk an d

frie n ds du rin g his con ce al m en t u n de r disgu is e as a re ligi o u s
m e n dic an t .

13 . YOGI GU E S TS .

A pi ou s Hin d u de sirou s , ble ssi ng o f Of s e c u ri n g t he

H e ave n we n t t o an e n c am p m e n t o f Yogi s ou tside t he city
,

an d h u m bly i n vit e d t h e i r r e v e re n c e s t o p ar t ak e o f a m e al

at his p oor h ou s e Th e y g raci ou sly a cc e pte d t he i n vit a

.

ti on an d p re p arati on s we re du ly m ade for t he ir e n te r t ai n

,

m ent . Whe n t he ti m e for the ir arrival was at h an d t he ,

h os t bid his wife re t ire t o t he u pp e r ch am b e rs o f t he h ou s e ,

as h e di d n o t d e si r e he r p re s e n c e i n an ass e m bly o f m e n ,

e v e n o f Yogi s S h e w e n t u pst ai rs an d s at at a wi n d ow t o
.
,

w atch t he arrival o f t he gu e sts S he c o u n te d th e m as .

t h e y e n te re d i n h e r anxi e ty th at the re sh o u ld b e e n ou gh
,

f o o d for th e m all The re w e re twe n ty arriva ls

. .

The f e ast b e i n g o v e r an d t he g u e s t s ab o u t t o de p art

, ,

t he h o ste ss t o ok h e r s e at a t t he s am e wi n d o w on c e m ore ,

s o th a t sh e m ight k n o w wh e n th e y w e re all g on e a s s he ,

wishe d t o c om e d own as s o on as p ossible t o le arn h ow m y

lo rds h ad fare d O n ly n in e te e n as sh e t old th e m Off o n
.
,

h e r fi n g e r s l e ft t h e h ou s e an d s o she re m ai n e d u ps t ai rs
, , ,

w on de ri n g i m p at i en tly wh at t he twe n t ie t h m an c ou ld b e
d oin g .

H e r hu sb an d c alle d he r d ow n ; b u t re m e m b e ri n g h ow ,

cu rt ly he had dis m iss e d he r wh e n t h e h oly m e n we re

a b ou t t o ar rive at t he h ou s e sh e re pl i e d th at sh e w o u ld ,

de sce n d wh e n a ll t he gu e s t s h ad g on e H e r h u sb an d .

ass u r e d h e r th at all h ad d e p ar te d an d d e si re d he r t o c o m e ,

at o n c e an d l o ok a fte r th i n gs as h e wish e d t o sh o w his ,

r e sp e ct t o t h e Yogi s by at t e n di n g t h e m b a ck t o t h e i r e n

c am pm e n t S he c am e d own e xpl ai n e d t h e c au s e o f he r
.
,

h e sit at i o n an d as b e c am e a g ood h ou s e wife c o m m e n c e d at

, , ,

on c e atte n di n g t o t he pots a n d p an s an d t he brass pl ate s

2 38
T H E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D S AI N T S O F I N D I A
'

, ,

l arg e n u m b e rs s om e tim e s i n t h e i r th ou s an ds at t he
‘

, ,

r e ligi ou s f ai rs h eld p e ri odi c ally at s acre d pl ac e s th rou gh

,

o u t I n di a .

E n t eri n g a m u ch visi t e d e n cl o s ur e at on e o f t h es e
m ela s I f ou n d a s ad hu wi t h his chelas an d so m e h u g e
, ,

i ron c aul dron s Th e s adhu I was i n f orm e d fed hi s

.
, ,

a sc e t ic b r e t h r en an d wh o e v e r e ls e c am e t o hi m
,
twic e a ,

d ay .

M y visit was n ot l t i m e b u t th ere we r e

m ad e at m ea -
,

i n o n e o f t he i m m en s e c au ldron s s om e fift e en g all on s o f

m ilk b ei n g g e n t ly w arm e d Thi n ki n g t h at t h e s adhu
.

m i ght h av e p e c uni ary re s ou r c e s o f hi s o wn o r t h at t h e ,

e xt e m p oris e d ki t ch en wa s c arri e d on at t h e e xpe n s e Of s o m e

m on e ye d p e r s on s I i n qu i r e d wh e re t h e n e e dfu l f u n ds c am e
,

fro m an d was i n f o rm e d p oi n t e dly t h at e verybody c on t ri

,

b u t e d t o wards i t ; an d so aft e r m y i n qu isit iv en e ss I fe l t

, ,

c on s t rain e d t o d o lik e wis e I t w o ul d s e e m t h at t he sadhu

.
,

h avi n g s e c u re d t h e u se o f s om e h u ge c aul dron s an d o t h er

n e c e ss ar y c o o ki n g p o t s Of p r o p o r t i on at e ly l arg e di m e n si o n s
-
,

t oge th e r wi t h t he s e rvic e s Of a fe w willi n g h e lps s e t u p , ,

a dv e r t is e d an d Op e n e d wi t h ou t h e si t at i on o r m isgi v i n g hi s
, , ,

re s t aur an t for t h e fr e e s u pply o f f o o d to a sc e t i c s an d o t h e r

hu n gr y s o u ls for he kn e w t he g en e ro u s p u blic wo u ld d o
,

t h e re s t for hi m .

His c on fide n t e xp e ct at i on s w e re f u lly re alis e d an d his ,

ki t ch e n was a great s u cc e ss .

15 . A S AI N T IN CH AI N S .

The sc e tic wh o s e p ortrait is given i n an e arli er p ort i on

a

o f t hi s v ol um e p 48 al t h ou gh a M u sli m d e s erve s a
, .
, ,

p assin g n o t ic e h ere n ot o nl y o n a cc oun t o f t he u n u s u al

,

n atu r e o f hi s s e lf i n fli c t e d t o rt ure
-
b u t m ore p art ic u l arly ,

for t h e m o t iv e whi ch p r om pt e d i t .

S om e I n di an n e wsp ap er s i n 18 9 1 d re w atte n t i on t o a
faqu i r who was m o vi n g ab ou t t he c oun t ry un der a h e avy
s elf im p o s e d b u rd en of m assiv e i ron ch ai n s This asc e t ic
-
.

h app e ni n g t o c om e m y way I fo un d an o pp ort u ni t y Of ,

i n te r vi e wi n g hi m i n hi s t e m p orary ab o d e i n t he n at i v e
art er Of L ahore H e was a t all l ar g e bo n e d m an un d e r
q u -
.
, ,

24 0
 P E R S O NAL E! P E R I EN CE S W I TH S AD H U S

fifty ye ar s o f age an d t h ou gh m u ch e m aci at e d by his

, ,

au st e ri t i e s r e t ai n e d am pl e e vid e n c e of a n at u r ally vig or o u s

,

physiqu e .

A ccom p ani e d by m y son I asce n de d t o t he u pp er r oom ,

wh ere S abi t Al li S h ah s ur n am e d S an k al Walah or the m an

,
~

of chai n s was p u t t i n g u n d wh ere h e was e xp e cti n g ou r

, p a ,

visi t We fou n d hi m s t r et ch e d u p on a m at h e avi ly weight e d

.
,

wi t h iron ch ai n s .

A cc or din g t o t he h as t y j u dgm en ts Of s om e E ur op e an s
wh o h ad re f e rr e d t o S an k al Nal ah i n t he p u blic p ri n ts
‘ -
,

t he a sc e t ic c on sci e n c e s t rick en was e xpi at i n g hi s S i n s by t he

,
-
,

t ort ur e o f hi s b o dy b u t I asc e r tain e d i n c on v e r s at i on wi t h ,

hi m th at t h e Obj e ct an d m o t ive o f his au s t e ri t i e s were

,

s om e t hi n g v ery di ff eren t i n de e d H e had it app e are d .

, ,

su ffere d grave i n j u s t ice at t he h an ds Of c ert ain i n flu en t i al

p er s on s an d u n able or u n willi n g t o tak e ven ge an ce u p on
, ,

t h e m p er s on ally h e i m pos e d t his h e avy b u r de n u po n hi m

,

s e lf i n t he h op e t h at God wou ld pi t y his mi s ery an d m e te

,

ou t j u s t p uni sh m e n t t o hi s e n e m i e s .

A fter s om e p ersu asi on I was abl e t o get t he faqu i r t o,

stan d t o u s for hi s ph o t ograph H e was so we ak an d his .

,

ch ain s so h e avy t h at i t was n o e asy m at t er t o ge t hi m on

,

hi s f e e t or t o k ee p hi m st an di n g fo r e ven a few m o m e n ts
, .

H owe ver m y son was abl e t o s e cure a s atisfactory ph o t o

,

graph o f t h e asc e tic as t he rep r o du ct i on i n Ch ap t er III

, .

wi ll S h o w .

The faqu i r s u bs e qu e n t ly i n f orm e d m e by l e t t e r th at he

wa s raisi n g a s u bscrip t i o n for t he p e rf orm an c e Of a c ere
m on y at which h e w ou ld fo rm ally lay asid e hi s ch ai n s .

Th e s e I u n de r st o o d woul d b e d e p osi t e d at t he shri n e o f

, ,

t h e f am ou s s ai n t D at a G an j B akhsh
, Wh e th er t he wishe d .

for ve n g e an c e h ad ove rt ak en S abi t Alli S h ah s e n emi e s

’
,

or t h e t i m e li m i t fix e d by hi m s elf for c arryin g t he ch ai n s

h ad e xpi re d I c an n ot t e ll ; b u t t hi s I k n o w t h at t h e
, ,

m o n e y re qui re d for t h e c e re m o n y was n o t f ort hc om i n g an d ,

t h a t t h e u n h appy faqu i r s t i ll b u r d e n e d wi t h his l oad Of

,

i r on l e ft L ah ore i n di sgu st an d de sp ai r
, .

24 1
 C H A P TE R !

SO ME S ADH V I S OR F E MA L E DE V O E ES
T
1 . A pu bli c Le c t ur er , d
S ri m at i Pa n i t a Mai i Jv an M uk u t . 2 S
. h i M ji
r a ,

t he R ec lus e o f Ann an d gu h a
p 3. Pr e m
. i , a y u g
o n S a d h v i wh o em

b ra c e d Ch i s t i
r an i t y .

ly h ave I had t he
NGE on

ple as u re o f liste n i n g t o
an I n di an w o m an le c t u r

i n g wi t h u n ve ile d fac e
t o a m ix e d au die n c e i n
p u blic an d th at w om an ,

was a p r ofe ss e d s adhvi

or fe m ale asc e tic who , ,

wh ate ve r he r re al n am e
m ay h ave b e e n was , ,

sin c e t he ad opti on o f
t h e n e w life k n o wn as ,

S ri m ati Pan dit a Mai

J ivan Mu k u t S he was .
,

I u n de rs t o o d a n ative Of J u m m u i n K ashmi r t e rritory

, ,

an d a wid o w S he h ad stu di e d s om e S an sk ri t was fai rly

.
,

we ll re ad i n H in di an d Pu n j abi lite ratu re an d s o gre at ,

was he r z e al for t he sp re ad Of k n owle dge th at she had

Op e n e d a sch ool for girls i n he r n at ive t own .

He r app e aran c e b e fo re t h e w orld i n t he ch ara cte r

o f a l e ctu r e r was v e ry dist aste f u l t o he r p e o pl e an d t o
’
h e r l at e h u sb an d s f am ily ; b u t she h avi n g qu ite e m an e i ,

p at e d h e rs e lf fro m t he p re j u dice s o f he r c ou n try m e n c are d ,

n o t fo r th e s e t hi n gs .

7
W h e n I at t e n d e d he r le c t u re l n t he sp aci ous c o u rty ard

o f a h ou s e i n A m rits ar he r r e p u t ati on app re ci ati o n o f he r

, ,

rare ab i litie s or p erh aps m e re ly idle cu riosity had brou ght

, ,

24 2
 T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AND , , S A I N TS OF I NDIA
take n e xp re ssly for m e , an d t he
g at ive d e stroye d
ne to
p re ve n t any u n au th oris e d Copi e s b e i n g p ri n te d .

2 S H RI
. M AJI , TH E R E CLU S E OF ANN AND GU P H A ,

NEAR B ENAR E S .

Th ou gh c om m o n am on gst t he J ain s fem ale asce t ics ,

a re r are a m on gs t Hi n d u s Th e re was on e h o we ve r wh o
.
, ,

re side d n e ar B e n are s fo r m an y y e ar s h on o u re d an d re ,

spe c t e d by t h e H i n d u c o m m u n ity I re gre t th at I di d .

n o t s ee h e r m ys e lf b u t t he f o ll owi n g p artic u l ars re g ar di n g

,

he r w e re c om m u n ic ate d t o m e
S h ri M aj i t he B e n are s Yogi n i was b orn i n 1826 A D
, , . .

H e r n am e was H ari K u e r B ai b u t t he l ov e she i n spi re d ,

e arn e d for h e r t h e affe cti on ate t itl e M aj i by which S he ,

was k n own t o a l arge p u blic He r fam ily ca m e o rigi n ally

.

fr o m G u j rat b u t as he r an c e st ors had b e e n re side n ts Of

,

B e n are s for s o m e ge n e rati on s an d S he h e rs elf had b ee n ,

b rou ght u p th ere he r adm irer s c onn e ctin g he r with t h e i r

, ,

s ac re d cit y g av e he r t he c ogn om e n B en ars i

,
M aj i who .
,

was t he y ou n g e st o f six childre n was b u t fi v e ye ars o ld ,

whe n he r m ot h e r die d H e r fath e r S hr i R am e shw ar

.
,

De v was a g o o d S an skrit schol ar an d a m an o f str on g

,

r e ligi o u s fe e li n gs The y ou n ge s t child i n h e riti n g his d e

.
,

v o t i on al t e m p e r am e n t an d l o ve Of l e arn i n g b e c am e his ,

favou rite To he r h e de vote d m u ch Of his ti m e t e achin g

.
,

he r S an skrit an d i n s t ru cti n g h e r i n r e ligi ou s d u t i e s S he .

p rove d an apt p u pil wh o by h e r p ro gre ss am ply re p aid

,

t he f on d i n stru ct or for his l ab ou rs as t e ach er an d S pi rit u al

g u id e .

Wh e n t e n ye ars Of age Map was m arri e d at B e n are s

,

t o a B rah m an y ou th Thre e ye ars afte r he r m arri ag e she

.

w e n t t o t he h ou s e o f he r fathe r i n law ; i n o th e r w ords S he

- -
,

j oi ne d he r y ou n g h u sb an d H ardly t wo ye ars aft e r t h at

.

’
s h e b e c am e a widow an d r e tu r n e d t o h e r fath e r s h o u s e
, ,

b e in g t h e n on ly fift e e n y e ars Old fu lly re s olve d t o de v o t e ,

h e r l i fe t o t h e stu dy o f re l i gi ou s b o oks an d t he p ra cti c e

of
y oga W
. i t h i n a S h ort t i m e M aj i a c u i re d a f ai r r e p u t a
q
tio n am o n gst t he le arn e d p an di t s o f B en are s He r fathe r .

m ade m an y pilg rim ag e s on f o o t an d S he acco m p an i e d hi m , ,

2 44
 TH E S AD H V I S R I M AT I P AN D I T A M AI JI V AN M UKU T .

To f a ce p a ge 244 .

F IG . 16 .
T H E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF INDIA
hu m i li ati on s , th at it is n ot s u rp risi n g th at s u ch a o n e
S h o u ld gl adly e m b ra c e t he freedom an d res pe ct which t h e

r e ligi ou s c al lin g woul d b ri n g wi t h it B u t sadhvi s are .

n o t alw ays wi dows Miss F all on Of t he Faiz ab ad Z en an a

.
,

Missi on has i n a li t t l e b oo kl e t Of s om e fort y s e ve n p ag e s

,
-
,

e n t i t l e d P rem i
1
give n a S i m pl e b u t m o st valu abl e sk e tch of
,

t he life Of an o rph an gi rl wh o alth ou gh b l e ss e d wi t h t h e ,

’
w orld s g o ods an d b e trot h e d t o a yo u n g B rah m an ran away ,

f ro m a c om fo rtabl e h o m e an d an i n du lg en t gran d m o th er
i n o rde r t o fi nd God fo r wh o m he r i n f an t s o u l t hi r ste d , .

Te n y ears she sp en t as t h e cheli n (fe m al e di sci pl e ) o f

a m o st w ort hy gu ru who h avi n g i n stru c t e d her i n t h e
, ,

right way an d m ade her p ractis e m an y au st eriti e s dul y

, ,

i ni t i at e d he r i n t he p re s en c e o f o th er sadhu s i n to t he s e c t
, ,

or O r d e r to whi ch h e b e l on g e d c on fe rri n g u pon her a n e w ,

”
n am e m e an in g
,
u n d e r t h e S h adow o f t h e Almi gh t y by ,

whi ch she S h ould b e k n own th en c e f orward .

I n c om p an y wi t h h er spiri tu al gui de an d o th e r dis ,

c i l e s o f his
p S h e visit e d as a re ligi ou s pilgri m
, m a ny of , ,

t he s acre d sh ri n e s o f I n di a an d t he Hi m al ay as L o st .

on e d ay am o n gst t h e m o u n t ai n f ore sts Of N e p al t h e for ,

l orn chi ld c ri e d o u t i n d e sp air O God Tho u k n o we s t I , ,

a l f —
h ave given u p l or Th ee h om e an d fri e n ds an d e ve ry
t hi n g an d if i t b e Thy will t h at t hi s b o dy sh o u ld b e e at e n

by t ig ers I d o n o t m i n d onl y l e t m y spi ri t b e wi t h Th ee

, ,

an d t h e r e i n t h e gl o o m y s olit u d e Of t h o s e t e rribl e j u n gl e s
, ,

sh e di s t i n c t ly h e ar d a v o ic e u tter t h e s e c om f o r t i n g wo rds

Th ou art M y s ervan t an d n o h arm will co m e t o t h e e , ,

whi ch e ffe ctu ally di sp e ll e d all her fe ar s .

Thi s e xc e e di n gly s e lf will e d an d hi ghl y e m o t i on al gi rl -

was at t he age Of e ight e e n attra ct e d t o wards t he Z e n an a

m issi on ari e s app are n t ly i n t he fi r st i n st an c e by t he d e si re
,

fo r k n owl e dg e Thi s i s how Miss F all on d e scri b e s h er

.

Am on g t he c rowd I s oon spi e d a wild l ooki n g b righ t -

e y e d gi rl he r f o re h e ad b e s m e ar e d wi t h s an d alw o od v e ry
, ,

li t t l e o n i n t h e way Of cl ot hin g a m ala (b e ads ) i n he r ,

h an d he r h ai r i n a l oos e k n ot o n t he t op o f he r h e ad
, ,

1
P r em i , the S tory o f a H i n du Gi rl , by M i ss F ll a on , Z e n an a m i ssi y on ar

at Fa i z b d wi t h
a a an I n t ro du c t i on by S i M r on i e r Wi ll i am s (Jam e s Ni sb t e

Co .
, L d ) on on .

246
 S O M E S AD H V I S O R F E MALE D EV OT E E S
an d lo oki n g e very i n ch a sadhu (H i n du de vote e ) On e .

o f m y t e ach er s whi sp er e d to me ,Th at is t he girl who

c am e t o our sch o ol t he o the r d ay an d s aid she wan t e d
’
t o l e arn t o re ad . O f c ou rs e m y i n t ere s t was aro u s e d ,

an d at a S ig n fro m m e t h e gi rl j u m p e d u p t o wh e r e we

w ere si t t in g as ni m bly as a d e er an d s mi li n g all o ver

, , , ,

sat d o wn at m y f ee t .

’
T hi s was Bi n dr ab an s firs t c on t act with t he m issi on ari e s ,

an d ,
aft er a bitt er an d p r ost rati n g m e n t al s t r u ggl e thi s ,

wi ld i m p u lsive e m ot i on al c hi ld Of n at u re e m b ra c e d C h ris
, ,

t i ani t y an d h ad on c e m o re a n e w n am e t his t im e Pre mi

, ,

( b e l o v ed
) giv,
e n t o h er .

Wit h wh at p ain an d so rrow her guru saw t he B rahm an

girl hi s fav ou re d discipl e for s o m an y ye ars give u p t he
, ,

r e ligio n o f h e r f o re f at h e r s ,we m ay e asily i m agi ne ; ye t ,

wh en she e l e ct e d t o s t ay wi t h Miss F all on t h e Old sadhu s ,

’

m e ss ag e to t h at l ady was fu ll Of a dign ifi e d re si gn atio n ,

c on ve yi n g as it di d t he p romi s e o f a divi n e bl e ssin g u p on

Miss FallOn for her kin dn e ss t o t he youn g sadhvi .

’
Th at t he gu ru s t e achi n g had at l e as t m ade for righte ou s
n e ss m a
y b e i l l u st r at e d by t h e f o ll o wi n g an e cd o t e w hi ch
,

re l at e s t o t he o cc asi on o f t he first m e e t in g b e t we en t he
wayward im p re ssi on abl e s adhvi an d Miss F all on
I t was gr owi n g d ark b e fore t he gi rl st arte d for t he
c on ven t wh e re S he was s t ayi n g an d Miss F all on a ske d
,

h er if sh e was n ot afraid t o go al on e a s th e r e were s o ,

m an y b ad p e opl e abo u t who m ight d o h e r h arm .

Why sh oul d I fe ar s aid t he girl drawi n g h e rs e lf

,

up . M y gu ru s ai d Child si n can n e ver t ou ch yo u u n le ss

, ,
’
it is i n yo ur h ear t .

24 7
 C H A P TE R ! I

HI ND U M O NA S T E RI ES

M on a st s h v xi s t d i I d i s i t h
er i e a e e li s t t i m s d
e n nt p s ta nce e e ar e e , an are a re en

t ob f u d s tt e od ll v t h C u t y —R li gi u s d W ldly
n ca er e a o er e o n r e o an or

M t i v s whi h p m p t t h F u d t i f M s t i s —M g m t
o e c ro e o n a on o on a er e an a e en

o f M s t i P p t i s —M k s t xp t d t l b u i
on a c ro er e y w y on no e ec e o a o r n an a

I s t ll t i
n a O f A bb t d s i b d —A Vi si t t t h U d si Ak h O f
a on an o e cr e o e a ar a

S ant kh D o th P s fW m
as t l et d th —Th T s u s
r e en c e o o en o era e er e e rea re

o f t h pl e d t h i H i s t y —A p u bl i E t t i m
a ce an e r t t th s m or c n er a n en a e a e

M s t y—R sp t t t i d by t h S t f A sh s —I t vi w
on a er e ec en er a n e e ec or e n er e

wi t h th A bb t wh h d t s i gl g d w d f S dh u s — Vi s i t
an o er o o a no a n e oo or or a

t o D h m s l f t h Ni m l i S t ; S sk i t L i t t u
a ar a a o e d d r a ec an r e ra re r ea an

e xp u d d t h —Th g t M s t y t J gi Ti ll I t vi w wi t h
o n e ere e rea on a er a O a n er e

t h A bb t
e m t s m A qu i t
o s—A m t i S t y ss i t d
ee o e c a n an c e ro an c or a oc a e

wi t h Ti ll P t i l s b u t t i pl s f Pi lg i m g m m u i
a -
ar c u ar a o c er a n ace o r a e co n

t d by t lk t i v i t i t Y g i — S dh u s P t i l i t y f Nu d i t y ’
ca e a a a e n er an o a ar a or .

xiste d i n H E RE e

t h e I n di an f or e s t s
in t he e arli e s t

ag e s c om m u n iti e s o f
h erm it s Of t he typ e ,

de scrib e d i n S ak u n t al a ,

all t h e re sid e n t s o f t h e

p e n an ce grove b ei n g
un d er on e h e ad or
abb o t ; an d si n c e B u ddhis t ti m e s t h e re h av e b e e n t h r ou gh

ou t t h e c ou n t ry re g ul arly c on s t i t u t e d c on v e n t u al e s t abl i sh

m en t s M os t o f t h e s e are i n si gni fic an t an d like ly t o e sc ap e

.

t h e n o t ic e o f E u ro p e an s b u t e v e ry s ac re d sp ot or pl ai n o r ,

m o u n t ai n an d e v e r y c r o wd e d ci t y k n o ws t h e m .

S e ct ari ani s m always a c t iv e i n I n di a h as as we h av e

, , ,

s e en b e e n p art i cul arly s o for at l e as t a t h ou s an d ye ars

,

24 8
TH E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S A N D , , S AI N T S OF I ND I A
a cc ru in g from e xte ns ive b u ildi n gs c an b e p re s u m e d i n
p ro p or t i on He wh o di e s afte r m ak in g t he first b rick (for
.

t he c on stru cti on o f a te m pl e ) obt ain s t he re ligi ou s m erit o f

’
a c o m pl e te d Ya y
'

na .

Vish n u Puran a A m an at t ain s t he re gi on s pre side d

’
o v e r by t h at d e i t y wh o s e t e m pl e h e e re cts .

Vam an a P u ran a : The e st ablish er o f a te m pl e for

Vish n u p r o c u re s t he s alvati on o f hi m s e lf an d o f e igh t
’
ge n e rat i on s ab o ve his gran dfath e r !
A gn i Pu ran a : The m an wh o c aus e s a te m ple t o
b e b u il t t o H ari c arrie s t o t he m an si on Of Vish n u t e n
,
’
t h ou s an d p ast an d fu tu re g e n e r at i on s .

S k an da P u ran a : On b e gin n i n g t h e c on stru cti on of a

‘

te m ple for K rish n a t he S in s co m m it t e d i n s e ve n birt hs are

,
’
anni hi l ate d an d t h e an c e st or s re sc u e d fr o m h e ll
1
.
,

Very i m p or tan t th en are t he b e n e fits t o b e ac qu ire d i n

, ,

o th e r e xist e n ce s by t h e b u ildi n g of t e m pl e s t o t he g o ds .

B u t e v e n w orldly m o tive s m ay Op e rat e i n e n c ou r agi n g

te m ple f ou n din g S in c e i n pop u l ou s l o c alitie s it is a re ally
-
,

p rofit able b u sin e ss .

Whe n a Hin du has su rplu s m on ey he has rare ly an y

de sire t o p u r ch as e t he sh are s o f j oi n t st o ck c om p an i e s or -
,

e v e n t o i n v e st his fun ds i n G o ve rn m e n t s e cu riti e s I f he .

is a m an o f t he o ld sch ool an d p ast t he m e ri di an o f life , ,

h e p ro b ably t alks t he m at t e r o v er with his gu ru fi n ds a ,

s u it able sp ot an d e re c t s a te m ple s m all o r l arge acc ordi n g

, , ,

t o his m e an s By t his ac t he re aps a dou ble re war d : he

.

win s t he fav ou r Of H e av e n an d he als o n e ts a n o t i n c on ,

s i d e rable p e c u n i ar y g ai n fo r hi m s e lf i n t he p re s e n t t i m e ,

an d for his fami ly i n t he fu ture The d aily O ffe ri n gs .

o f w or shi pp e r s t oge t he r with t he alm s (m ostly f ood ) c ol

,

l e c t e d i n d aily b e ggi n g e xp e diti on s am on gst h ou s eh olde rs ,

s o on p r ovide s u ffici e n t m e an s n ot o nl y for t he s u pp ort

Of t he re side n t p rie s t s S ch olars an d atte n dan ts b u t , , ,

als o fo r a f ai r divid e n d o n his o u tl ay t o t he o w n e r o f

t he S h ri n e .

A s ti m e ru n s on s u ppli an ts g rate fu l t o t he lo c al d eity

,

fo r f av our abl e an swe rs t o t h e i r p e titi on s m ak e th an k

1
The H i n du L a w of E n dowm en ts , by P di t P
an r an n a t h S ara sw at i , MA . .
,

BL . .
, pp . 4 3 45
-
.

2 50
 H I ND U M O NA S T E R I E S
Offe rin gs t o t he t e m ple or e n dow it wit h fu n ds an d l an ds ,

fo r ge neral p u rp o s e s or p e rh aps for t he fee di n g Of a fixe d

'

n u m b e r Of p o or s a dhu s or o t h e r m e n dic an t s The O ffe ri n gs .

o f t i m oro u s s o u ls t o av e r t c al am i t y als o a d d t o t he te m pl e

ches t U n der fav ou rable c on di t i o n s o r h appy a ccide n t s

.
,

t he re ve n u e s o f t h e e stablish m e n t a ssu m e by sl ow d e gre e s

r e sp e ct able p r op ort i on s an d i t s re g u l ar ch ariti e s p ro vid e ,

f o od an d c o m m on ly sh e lte r Of s om e s ort for a n u m b e r o f

, ,

b ot h v o lu n t ary an d i n v o lu n t ary m e n di c an t s 1
Thu s u n de r .

t he s t im u l u s o f re l i gi ou s z e al c u p i di t y ch arit y sirpe r , , ,

s t i t i on an d a l o v e o f in d o le n c e sp ri n g u p te m ple s an d
!

, ,

m on as t eri e s th e ir m u lt i pli c ati on te n di n g p owe rfully t o

,

i n c re as e t he arm y o f wan de r in g m e n dic an t s si n c e t h e y ,

a ff o r d t h e s e re l i gi o u s w ayf are r s h arb o u r s o f r e f u g e which ,

t h e y c e rt ai n ly app re ci at e an d which th e y m ake u se Of t o ,

t h e full e st e xt e n t .

The o bj e ct an d m e th o d o f tem ple f ou n di n g b e in g as -

,

we h av e s e e n n ot alt oge t he r u n c on n e cte d wi t h p ro spe c t ive

,

divide n ds it f oll ows t h at t he he re ditary p rin ciple n at u rally

,

pl ays an i m p ortan t p art in t he arran ge m e n ts for t he

m an agem e n t Of s u ch p r o p e r ty an d t he re ve n u e s de riv able
t h e r e fr o m .

The e qu it able p ar titi on o f t he re ve n u e s b e c om e s a —

fe rti le s ou r ce o f c on te n t i on am o n gst t he p r op rie tors D is .

h on e s t y an d p e cu lati on are n o t un kn own an d I h ave h ad ,

de scrib e d t o m e s om e Of t he i n ge n i ou s m e t h ods by which

o n g re at fe stiv als t he lib e ral O ffe ri n gs d e p o si t e d b e f ore t he

ido ls by t he visit or s t o a te m ple o r shri n e are cle ve rly

pu rl oin e d b y t he att e n dan ts e m ployin g lit e rally b oth h an ds
an d u n sh o d fe e t fo r t his di sh on e s t p ur p o s e .

S om e o f t he Hin du m on as t ic i n stitu t i o n s h ave th rou gh ,

I n s m Of t h l g m t h o t i but i O f t l ss t ha on h u dr d
1 ’
o e e ar e a s a c n r on no e n e n e

r u p s s e u s on f ll m l a d y f li f O f u s m o t h t h am o un t
ee c re e u ea a or e . co r e re an e

j u s t m d i s u s u lly xp e c t d d pai d f t h p i vi le g e i n qu e st i
na e a e e , an , or e r on .

B t t hi k o f i t
u , n O hu dr d u p e e s p i d d wn and a pl n t i f l di n n e r
ne n e r a o , e u

s cu ed f
e r li f or e .

A m o gs t t h Tem pl t h e Afi l i ti i t u f ce t ai n su m p ai d
n e a rs , a , n re rn or a r

d w o n , r e cei v d t h i d i ly m i t
e
(t h i r m m s ) t O f t h
e r a p ta n e n an ce e co on ou e c or or a e

fun d .
”
-
Ki g s Gn ti
n
’
d th i R m i p 4 12 A d
os cs a ns m wh t e r e a n s, . . n a o e a

si m i l ar cu st m bt i s v
o w m
o gst t i l y d s i
a n e t i
en no a on c er a n a or er n c er a n

R o m an C t h li
a u t i s m p t i u l ly
o c co p vi s i o f s i k ss d
n r e , o re ar c ar as a ro n or c ne an

o l d age .

2 51
TH E M Y S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS O F I ND I A
t he lib e rali t y
Of p rin c e s an d rich b en e fact ors gr own s o ,

we althy th at t h e ir p r op e r m an age m e n t has b e c om e i m

p ort an t e n o u gh t o cl ai m t he atte n t i on o f t he B ritish
a u t h oriti e s wh o i n t he i n te r e sts o f t he p u b li c h av e s om e
, , ,

ti m e s b e e n o blig e d t o i n t e r fe re wi t h a vi e w t o t he re ve n u e s ,

b ein g p r op e rly appli e d i n acc ord an c e with t he wi she s o f

t he d on o rs o r t he re qu ire m e n ts o f t he c as e Ye t t he .

H in du m on as te rie s are on t h e whole re sp e ctable i n s t i t u ti on s ,

t h ou gh as P ro fe ss or H H Wi ls o n s aid
,
th e re are it is . .
, ,

t ru e e xc e p t i ons t o t his in n o cu ou s ch aract er an d robb e rie s

, ,

an d m u r d e r s h av e b e e n t r a c e d t o t h e s e r e ligi o u s e st ablish
” 1
m en t s .

D iscipli n e re strai n t u pon fre e d om an d s e ri ou s o ccu p a

, ,

t i on o f an y s or t are p ra c t ic ally u n k n ow n i n t he c on ve n tu al
,

e st ablish m e n t s o f t he Hin du s b e c au s e t he e xisten c e o f ,

riv al s e cts t he abs e n c e o f a c e n tral au tho ri t y t h e p ractic e

, ,

o f d aily al m s s e e ki n g an d t he w an de ri n g h abits o f t he
-
,

m on ks s an cti on e d by i m m e m ori al c u st o m h av e m ad e active

, ,

in te r fe r e n ce wit h t he asce t ics n ot on ly i m p o li t ic b u t v e ry

n e arly i m p o ssibl e .

Wh e re t h ere is p ract ically n ei t h er re strain t n or dis

c i pli n e syst e m atic l ab our t owards an y e n d is ou t Of t he
,

qu e st i on an d as a m atter of f act n o H in du a sc e t ic is e ve r
, , ,

e xp e c t e d t o wor k H e i s t o live by al m s an d h e d oe s S O
.
2
,
.

I t f oll o ws t h a t t h e s adhu s d o n o t t ill t he l an ds t h at m ay

h ave b e c om e t he p rop ert y o f a m on ast ery s u ch l an ds b ei n g ,

alw ays l e a s e d ou t t o l a a gric u lt u ris t s — a f a c t which c ann o t

y
’
fail t o re c all t o o n e s m i n d by t he m ere f orc e Of c on t ras t , ,

t he l ab o ri o u s dilig e n c e of t h e m on ks Of t h e We s t wh o at , ,

an y r at e i n t he e arly d ays o f Ch risti an m on k ery Of t e n by , ,

t h e i r u n ti ri n g e x e r t i on s re cl ai m e d t h e wild ern e ss an d c o n ,

ve rt e d i t i n t o s m i li n g co rn fi elds At t he s am e t im e i t -
.
,

S h o u ld n o t b e o v e rl o ok e d t h at t h e t i m e h o n ou r e d e n c o u rag e -

m en t o f l ab ori ou s h abi t s o n t h e p ar t o f t h e We s t e rn m on ks
h as wh en s t i m u l at e d by t he p o werf ul co m m e rci al S pi rit of
,

1
S k et ch o p 35
f the R el i gi ou s S ects of the H i nd u s , . .

I t h Ch i s t i
2
n m s t i s f t h W s t wh t h ul f S t B d i t
e r an on a er e o e e , er e e r e o . e ne c

p v i l d ll t h m k s w
re a e , qu i d t b g g d i m
a e onl l b f ere re re o e en a e n an u a a ou r or

sv h s d y
e en du t y t G d d m
ou r a t h u gh i t m u s t b
a , as a dm i t t d o o an an o e a e

t h t wh
a , th s v t u l s t bl i sh m t s w x d i h t h O bli g t i t
en e e c on en a e a en a e r c ,
e a on o

w k wi th th h d w m t i l l y m di fi d
or e d O ft
an st si d lt g t h
as a er a o e ,
an en se a e a o e er .

2 52
T H E M YS T I C S A S CE T I C S A ND , , S AI N T S O F I ND I A
sm all t em pl e o f S iva an d I l e arne d th at s om e t hree
,

hu n dre d Yogi s who had re c en tly c e l eb rat e d t he D e vali

fe s t ival at Am rits ar h ad c om e t o L aho re i n order t o t ak e
p ar t i n thi s fu n c t i on .

A g o o dl y n um b e r of the s e ascet ics had ass e m bl e d u n de r

a g re at b ani an t r e e an d a st ran g e r sigh t co ul d h ar dly h av e
,

b ee n s een an ywh e re i n t h e w orld t h an t h at grou p o f wi ld

l ooki n g m e n S om e h ad b u t li t t l e clothi n g on ; s om e
.

c o ve re d t he m s elve s wit h d ark c ol ou re d bl an k ets ; a few -

wore t h ei r c o ve rin gs as g rav e cl ot h e s (k afan ) ; m an y had -

t h ei r h air b e d au b e d with a ligh t ye ll ow c ol o u re d m u d ; all -

were powde re d o ve r with fi n e ash e s .

F o r all i t s stran g e n e ss an d wild n e ss t he ass em bl ag e ,

wa s n o t by a n y m e an s u gly o r re p ell e n t Alth o u gh t he i r .

b o di e s h ad b e en s m e are d wi t h ash e s t h e Yogi s did n ot ,

l o ok di rty or squ alid M an y c ertai n ly were fin ely

.
, ,

fe at u re d m en ; m o s t Of th em w ere i n e xc elle n t c on di t i on ,

an d th e r e wa s a c e r t ai n ai r o f l o f t y i n di ffere n c e ab o u t t h e m

th at was qu i t e n o t ice abl e an d e asi ly gr ai se d th e m ab ov e

,
‘

t he r e gi on Of co n t em p t E vi de n t ly i f t h ey practis e d an y
.
, fi l

a sc e ticis m wh at e v er i t was o f a ki n d n ot ini m ic al to

,

h e alth .

At t h e appoi n t e d h o u r th e y r o s e u p an d i n a dis ,

o r d erly p r oc es si o n f o ll o w e d a b ra ss b an d which h ad b e e n

s en t t o e sc ort t h em wi t h su n dry si lv er sticks an d wavi n g

,

c howri es t o t h e t e m pl e wh er e t h e i n s t all ati on was t o t ak e

,

pl ac e The b rass b an d c om m en c e d wi t h a Chris t y mi n st rel

.

m e lody an d afte r t hi s e xhi bit io n Of i t s s u p e ri or c ap ab i liti e s

, ,

an d E ur op e an trai ni n g l aps e d i n t o strain s o f i n dig en ou s

,

m u sic .

, AS t he p r o c e ssi on p ass e d al on g t he str e e t s t he doo r s ,

a n d wi n d ows o f t h e h ou s e s on e i t h er S id e b e c am e alive

wi t h m e n w o m en an d children who wishe d t o s e e t he

, , ,

t a m asha (sh o w sp e c t,
acl e ) Th ey w e re a cc
. u sto m e d t o

p r o c e ssi on s Of all ki n ds an d l o ok e d o n wi t h t h eir u s u al

,

ap at hy at t h e c r o wd o f Yogi s n o w sw e ll e d i n to a g oo dl y
,

m u l t i t u d e by t h e a dditi on o f a n u m b e r Of ordi n ary ci t i z e n s

i n du ce d by c u ri o si t y t o a cc om p an y t he s adhu s o n t h ei r
way . I had o n t he di cke y b ox o f m y c arri ag e a Yogi t oo -

sick t o w alk an d wh en he was n oti ce d e ag er fac e s p eere d

, , ,

2 54
 H I N D U M O NA S T E R I E S
in t o t hec arri ag e t o fin d ou t wh o t he o ccu p an ts m igh t b e ,

an d ,
on s e e i n g s ahi bs c ou ld n ot re st rain at l e ast a faci al
,

e xp re ssi on o f a s t oni sh m e n t .

A s t he mi x e d p ro ce ssi on Of Yogi s an d ci t i z en s with ,

t he n oisy b rass b an d m ad e rath er a l on g cir cui t ou s co ur s e

, ,

th rou gh t he stre e ts an d l an e s I t ook a sh ort er way i n m y

,

c arri age an d re ache d t he t e m pl e an d adj oi n i n g b ui ldi n gs

,

i n adv an c e o f t he h e t er og e n eo u s cr o wd .

At t h e d o or of t he h ou s e Pan di t S N hi m s e lf re c e iv e d . .

u s wi t h O ri en t al c our t e sy an d h ad u s co n d u c t e d t o s eat s
,

u pon t h e flat r oo f of on e Of t h e b uil di n gs i n a p o si ti on ,

from which t he c ere m on y c ould b e ve ry c on ven i e n t ly

vi e we d .

Wh en t he Yogi s arri ve d th ey cro wde d in t o t he pl a ce

p e ll m ell ; t he y fill e d t he s m all sp ac e b e fore t he d o or of
-

t he t e m pl e an d t ook u p wh at e ve r p o si t i on s t h e y t h o u ght
,

m o s t s u i t abl e Wh en t h e avai l abl e are a was o ccu pi e d

.
,

a n u m b e r Of th e m c am e sw arm i n g u p t o t he r o o f wh e re

I was sit tin g an d m ade th em s elve s c om f ort abl e t h e re .

The M ahan ts of s e v eral S iva t e m ple s were p re s en t all ,

well r ob e d i n whi te garm e n t s Pan di t S N was als o . . .

s ui tab ly att ire d an d was de c or at e d wi t h g arl an ds Of fl o we r s

, .

M an y well t o do l aym en als o att en de d an d a s m all p art y

- -
,

o f w o m en an d childre n h ad a pl a ce t o t h e m s e lve s The .

c erem on y o f i n stall at i on was c on du cte d wi t h t h e gre at e st

d e c oru m Fi r s t a l arge b rass al m s b o wl e n c as e d i n s oft
.
-

whi t e m u sli n was p re s en t e d t o t he p an di t by t he M ahant

o f a t e m pl e at A m ri t s ar wh o s e em e d t o t ak e t he l e adi n g
,

p art i n t he c ere m oni e s ; t hi s alm s b owl whi ch had -

,

b e lo n ge d t o t he l at e M ahan t an d hi s p re de c e ss ors b ei n g
, ,

app ar e n tly t he m o s t i m p or t an t b adg e Of t h e o ffic e o f a

M ak ant sym b olisi n g p o verty an d hu m i lit y

,
.

The b o wl was re c ei ve d stan di n g an d wh en it had b e e n , ,

’
pl ace d i n t h e p an di t s han ds he was m ade t o si t on a ,

cu shi on i n t h e win do w with hi s b ack t o t he stree t an d ,

vari o u s c ol ou re d or p art i c ol ou re d cl o t h e s were p re s en te d

-

t o hi m .A l arge flat b rass di sh c on t aini n g swe e t m e at s

was t h en b rou ght forward The n e w M ahan t s t an di n g u p
.
, ,

h eld i t i n hi s h an ds for a fe w s e c on ds b u t n o t wi t h o u t ,

assist an c e for it was too l arg e an d h eavy for on e p air Of

,

2 55
T H E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D
, , S AI N T S OF INDIA
h an d s ffiI t was th e n p ass e d on for fu t ure di strib u t i on o f
its c on ten ts The s e v eral M ahan ts an d o t h er e ccl e si as t ical
.

di g ni t ari e s p re s e n t m ad e t h ei r Ob e is an c e s t o hi m t he ,

t e m pl e b e lls ran g o u t t h e tru m p e t s bl are d an d a S h ou t

, ,

was rais e d i n h on o ur Of P an dit S N Pr e s en t s i n m o n e y

. .

we re n ow m ade t o t he n ew M ahant an d e ach t im e t h e , ,

ru p e e s we re re c eiv e d an d c ou n t e d by t h e parohi ta o r ,

f am ily p ri e st h e p ro cl aim e d i n a l o u d v oi c e
, S O m an y ,

ru p e e s h av e b e e n d on at e d by so an d so - -

Whe n t he p re s e n t s m ade by all t he digni t ari e s h ad

b e en re c eive d an d r e c orde d t h e f oll owers o f Pan dit S N
, . .

t h at is t hos e wh o re g ar d e d hi m a s t h e i r e sp e ci al gu ru
,
— c am e
f orward on e by on e an d O ffe re d a ru p e e wi t h p rof oun d
,

o b e is an c e,
so m et i m e s a com pl e te p ro s t rat i on I n re tu rn .
,

e ach on e r e c e iv e d i n his righ t h an d f rom t h e n ew M ahan t

a pi n ch Of s o m e thi n g which l ook e d v e r y m u ch lik e a sh e s

o f s om e ki n d The r e cipi e n t s re ti re d v e r y c e rem on i ou sly

.
,

b u t al m o st i m m e di at e ly e ach on e pu t a lit tl e of t he whi t e

stu ff on hi s t on gu e .

A p re t ty b oy ni c ely dre ss e d was le d u p t o t he p an di t

, , ,

an d re c e iv e d a t eek a o n hi s f ore h e ad Fr om an adj oi ni n g .

r oo f s e v e r al w o m e n an d gi rls i n h o li d ay atti r e b o w e d l o w
,
t o t h e n e w M ahan t whi l e m an y o f t he Yogi s ab ou t m e
,

sidl e d o ff t o h ave a p u ll at t he chu rrus pip e wi t h ou t which ,

t h e s e h abi t u al s m ok er s c oul d n o t ge t al on g e v e n for a sh or t

whi l e.

H avin g re ce ive d gifts from t he he ads Of oth er te m pl e s ,

it was n ow t he n e w M ahant s t ur n t o r e p ay t he c om pli ’

m e n t wi t h i n t e re s t H e h ad als o t o h on ou r t h e Yogi s t o
.
,

e ach o f wh om was give n t wo p o u n ds o f t h e c on f e c t i on

kn o wn as lu doos an d on e ru p e e i n silve r Th e y had all .

b e en f eas t e d at his e xp en s e t h e d ay b e f ore .

I was a ss ur e d t h at a s a re s ul t o f t hi s i n te rchan ge o f
,

c o m pli m e n ts t he n e w M ahant wo u ld i n t he e n d h av e S p e n t
, , ,

t h re e or f ou r h u n dr e d ru p e e s o u t Of hi s own p o ck e t .

Th e ak hara of S an t okh Das

l arg e st m on astery is t he
i n Am ri t s ar an d b el o n gs t o t he Udas i s e ct
,
I ts foun de r .

wa s a s adhu wh o i n t he tr ou bl e d ti m e s at t e n di n g t he
,

d e cli n e an d fall Of t he M ogul E m pire e stab lish e d hi m s elf ,

2 56
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S A N D , , S A I NT S OF I N D I A
hypoet hr al co u rts o f un e qu al size an d a g o odl y n u m b e r of ,

s m all room s for t he a cc om m o dat io n Of m on ks Tho u gh .

s u bs t an ti ally b uilt t he pl ac e h as n o archi t e ctural pre te n

,

si on s I t s S i t u ati on is c on ve ni en t b ein g j u st n e ar t he
.
,

G olde n T e m pl e which wi t h t he great tan k s urr o un di n g i t

, , ,

is visibl e from t he u pp er st ore y o f t he m on astery .

I n on e o f t h e o p e n c o u rt s was a cl u s t er of f our sa
m adhs e re ct e d i n m e m ory of f ou r M ahant s who had b een
,

t he p r e d e c e ss or s o f t he p re s en t abbo t The s e h ad all .

b e e n cre m at e d i n t he c ou rt its elf on a spot which was

p oi n t e d ou t t o m e .

The f o u r s am adhs o cc u pi e d a p re tty c on sid erab l e

p rop orti on o f t he c ou r t i n dic atin g a wan t of c on siderati on ,

for t he cl aim s of p o st e rity 1

.

N e ar t he en tran c e d oorw ay b u t withi n t he p re ci n cts , ,

t h er e was a pl a c e wh e re c at t l e mi gh t d ri n k w at er als o ,

- —
b at hi n g pl ac e s for o u t side r s o n e for m en an d an other for ,

w om en .

T hi s t ol erati on of wom en is i n s t rik in g c on trast with

t he p ra ct ic e o f s om e Chris t i an m on aste ri e s un d er t he
c on t ro l Of t he E ast ern Ch ur ch Writin g abo u t th e s e .
,

Mr Cur z on i n his i n t e resti n g b ook M onasteri es of the

.
, ,

L evant s t at e s th at h e was i n f orm e d

, th at n o fe m al e
an i m al of an y s or t o r ki n d is a d m i t t e d on an p ar t Of t h e
y
p e ni n sul a Of M oun t At h o s ; an d t h at sin c e t he d ays Of
Con st an t i n e t h e s oi l Of t he H oly M ou n t ai n h ad n e ve r b een
” 2 ’
c on t am i n at e d by t he t re ad o f a w om an s foot The .

s am e au t h or als o m en t i on s h avi n g m e t a m on k thi rt y or

t hi rt y fi v e y ears of age who h avi n g b e en b ro u ght t o on e o f
-
, ,

t h e A t h o s m on ast e ri e s as an i n fan t h ad n o re c oll e c t i on Of ,

e v e r h avi n g s e e n a w o m an an d was an xi ou s t o kn o w if ,

th e y r e s em bl e d t he sti ff e xp re ssi onl e ss m e di aeval picture s

o f t h e Vir i n whi ch ad o rn e d t h e w alls o f t he c e n o bi t ic
g
i n s t i t u t i on s Of t he li t tl e p eni n s ul a whi ch form e d his ve ry
3
r e s t ric t e d w o rld .

What p ositive te rro r t he i n sidi ou s ch arm s of w om e n

1
Wh er e , as at B u ddh Gy a, t he d s d bb t s h v ll b b u i d
e c ea e a o a e a e en r e ,

t he sp ot o cc u pi e d by t h e i g v s m a r ra e k s qui t
e s m ll m t y e a a ce e er .

2
M on a st er i es o/ the L evan t, by t h e H R b t Cu z
on . J p 306
o er r on , nu .
, . .

3
Ibid . p . 3 47 .

2 58
 H I N D U M O N AS T E R I E S
ins pire d i n t he mi n ds Of c e rtain C hristian an ch orite s wh o , ,

with Chrysost om lo oke d u p on t he sex as a n e ce ss ary e vil

, ,
”
a de adl y fascin ati on an d a p ain te d ill
,
is we ll kn own ; b u t ,

t he circu m stan ce s which h ave Op erate d i n In di a t o m ake

w om e n the re le ss Obj e c t i on able i n t he e ye s of t he p r ofe s se d
asc e tic are n o t far t o s ee k .

I n t he fir st pl ac e i n t he l an d o f Krish n a an d o f S akhti
,

w orshipp e rs t he virtu e o f virgin ity or e ven o f c on tin e n ce

,

h as n e ve r b e e n re gar de d with t he re sp e ctfu l awe with

which it was vie we d by re li gi ou s m e n i n t he We st an d for ,

this i n all p r ob abilit y t he i n flu e n ce Of cli m at e is l arge ly

, ,

a cc ou n t able ;
1
an d th e n i n t he n e x t pl a c e a s t he m on ks
, ,

are n e ar ly all w an de re r s s u bj e ct t o lit t le if an y di scipli n e

, ,

an d p ra ctic ally d e p e n d e n t u p on t he ch ar ity o f wo m e n it is ,

n atu ra lly u n d e si rabl e an d fu til e t o i m p o s e ru l e s p r ohibitin g

wo m e n fr om e n t e rin g m o n aste rie s as visit ors p art icu larly ,

as s o m e Of th e s e co n v e n tu al i n s t i t u t i o n s s e r ve ve r
y c on

v e ni e n t ly as c aravan s arie s whe re t rav e llers m ay Obtain

l o dgin gs for p aym e n t .

H avi n g in sp e ct e d t he m ore p u blic p ort i on s o f t he

m on aste ry I was c on du cte d t o t he M ahan t s s i t t in g r o o m
’
-
, ,

which I fou n d ad orn e d with fr e sc o p ain tin gs re p re s en t in g

his p re de ce ss ors an d t he ir d o in gs While s e at e d he re t he .
,

cou r te ou s abb ot e xplain e d th at for t he m ain t e nan ce o f t he

m on aste ry t he chie f s ou rc e i s a j aghi r or gran t m ad e i n ,

t he fi r s t i n st an c e by t he S i k h g o v ern m e n t of M ah ar aj ah
R an j it S in gh an d c on firm e d at a l ate r d ate by t h e B ri t ish
,

G ove rn m e n t th ou gh s om e wh at m o di fie d an d cu rt aile d
, .

M y h o st n ow had t he t re asu re s o f hi s re liqu ary b rou ght

o u t an d arran ge d for m e t o se e There we re am on gs t .
,

o th er thi n gs a p o rtr ait o f S an t o kh Das a b o o k a p i ctu re

, , ,

sh owi n g t he origin al plan o f t he G olde n T e m ple an d fou r ,

fi e by g ns
n ra u or ,
r e s t s —
t wo of w o o d ve ry ni ce ly c arve d ,

one m a d e o f iv ory fin e ly c u t an d t he f ou rt h o f b rass

, My .

p articu lar atte n ti on was also in vi t e d t o a le af o f t he p e e p u l

t re e whi ch by a ve ry gre at s t re tch o f i m agi n at i on m i ght
, , ,

b e t ake n t o re se m ble a h an d h avin g an e x agge rat e d p al m

an d dw arf fi n g e r s I t was t he le af o f a tree which h ad
.

bee n t ou ch e d wi t h his h oly h an d by on e o f t he S i k h gu ru s ,

1
Mont e squi e u De l E spri t de L oi s li vr e xv i hap vi i i
,
’ ’
s , . c . .

2 59
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
an d c on se qu e n tly bo re leave s re se m blin g i n S hap e a hu m an
han d I t was p re s e rve d i n a pictu re fram e un der a glass
.
-

p an e an d had b ee n p re s e n te d l on g ago t o t he ak ha ra by a
,

m onk of t he o r d e r o f t he Udasi s An othe r m u ch e ste e m e d

.

c u ri o sity was a little b ook wri t te n on a n u m b er of pie ce s o f

p ap e r j o in e d t oge t h er like t he b e llo ws of an acc or di on .

A p air o f k haran ws i n t he colle cti on h ad a s t ory

a tt ach e d t o t h e m Th e y we re m ade Of b rass i n ste ad o f
.

w oo d by s om e i nfidel or other wh o wishe d t o pu t S an t okh

”
Das t o t he t e s t . L oo k he re s aid he t o t he s ain t
, You .

are a g re at s adhu ; t ake th e s e fr o m m e as a t o k e n o f m y

”
p r ofou n d re sp e ct He had howe ve r j u st b e fore p re s e n tin g
.
, ,

th e m m alici ou sly he at e d the m t o a high te m p e ratu re wit h

, ,

t he vie w Of am u sin g hi m s e lf with t he e n live ni n g e ffe ct the y

w ou ld h ave u pon t he s e d ate asce tic as s oon a s he pu t his
fe e t u p on th e m B u t S an tokh Das ste pp e d on t o t he h ot
.

b rass k haran ws with ou t b e trayi n g any sig n o f in c on veni e n ce ,

m ir ac u l ous ly e n d u ri n g t he h e at or p e rh aps u n c on sci ou s o f it

, .

B e fo re I le ft t he m on aste ry t he a bb ot in vit e d m e t o
re n e w m y visi t a t t he ti m e Of t he D e v ali fe stiv al He .

e xpl ai n e d th at t he p e rm an e n t re sid e n ts i n t he m o n a ste ry

we re fe w t h at at all tim e s the re were s o m e Wan de rin g

,

s adhu s re c e ivi n g t he h o spi t ality Of t he i n stit u ti on bu t ,

th at on c e rt ain fe stivals n o tably t he D e vali t he n u m b e r

, ,

t o b e e n te rt ain e d t ax e d t he re so u r c e s o f t he h ou s e to t he
u t m ost .

U p on this in vit ati on I c am e ag ain to t he ak hara i n

N o ve m b e r 1898 and fou n d t he pl ace fu ll o f s adhus an d
,

m an y o t h e r visit ors i n cl u di n g n ot a fe w w om e n
, Th e re .

w ere sadhu s m ovi n g ab ou t t he c o ur ts an d i ns ide t he

b ui ldi n g i n a m ore or le ss ai m le ss m an n er ; so m e ,

p art icu l arly t he n angahs wh o do n ot or o u gh t n o t t o live

,

u n de r a r o o f , we re clu ste re d r ou n d s m all fire s i n t he

qu adr an gle s atte n di n g idly t o th e ir t o ile ts
, .

P re s e n tly a c ry was r ais e d U n k e p u j ah k ar o Nan ak

, ,

n i rb ani (P e r f or m t h e w or sh i p o f f o o d (i n t he n am e o f) ,

N an ak wh o h as le ft t he w orld )
,
.

M ost Of th os e p re s e n t b eg an t o arr an ge the m s e lve s i n

t he s m alle r c o ur ty ar d i n lo n g li n e s s e ate d o n t he floo r ; ,

o th e r s took u p pl a ce s on t he flat roo f o f a on e st ore y e d -

2 60
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF INDIA
s acre d b o o k Of t he S i k hs— was k e pt an d whi ch m ight b e ,
’
c all e d t he ch ap el At t h e abb o t s r e qu e st o n e o f t he
.

at t e n d an ts p r o d u c e d a gre a t b all or r at h e r a cyli n d er wi t h ,

r ou n d e d e dg e s m ad e o f t he v e r y fin e st ash e s
, I t was .

c ol our e d On t he o u tside Of a re ddi sh t in t an d l ook e d n ot ,

u n lik e a D u t ch ch e e s e A t o n e e n d was a s m all

.

d e p re ssi on . In t o t hi s t he at t en dan t who c arri e d i t i n

se r t e d his t h u m b an d b ro u ght ou t u p on i t s s u r f ac e a
fi n e whit e powd e r which h e appli e d t o hi s f ore h e ad
,
.

S e veral o t h ers pre s en t fo llowe d his e xam pl e The .

M ahant e xpl ain e d t h at t h e s e s acre d b alls Of ash e s

we re m ade wi th m u ch c are ; th at t he ash e s were well
wash e d an d o n ly t he fin e s t p articl e s which e ven t u ally
,

su bside d i n t he wat er we re t ak en an d t h en m i x e d wi t h a
whi te cl ay from t he hi lls wi t h ou t whi ch t he ash e s wo uld
,

n ot h av e s u ffici e n t c o h e r e n c e .

A t t he t ermi n ati on o f m y very pl e as an t visi t I was

con du ct e d by t he M ahant t o m y carri ag e an d at t h e ,

m om e n t Of p ar tin g he p re s en t e d m e with s o m e s u g ar
c an dy whi ch he p oli t e ly i n siste d u p on m y re c eivi n g fro m
,

his m on astery .

On e m orni n g I p re s en te d m ys elf at a m o n astery i n

t he Pu n j ab whi ch I n e e d n o t n am e
, Th ou gh m y visit was .

qui t e u n e xp e cted t he po rt ly abb ot wh o was r e adi n g a

, ,

v ern acu l ar n e wsp ap er wh en I arrive d was m ost gra cio u s ,

i n hi s welc om e an d s e em e d wi lli n g to disco u r s e u po n all

,

t he or di n ar y t opics of t he d ay .

B ei n g i n form e d by on e o f m y com p ani on s t h at I was

m u ch i n t e re s t e d i n s adhu s he fo rthwi t h b r o k e o u t i n t o a
,
”
t i r ad e ag ai n s t t h e wh ol e cre w Th ere m i gh t he s aid .
, ,

b e o n e i n a h u n d re d who had an y p r e t e n si on s to go o dn e ss
o r vi rt u e , b u t t he r e st w ere vil e sc u m an d un m i t ig at e d
sco u n dr els .

What m ore e sp e ci ally an n oye d hi m was th at m en who

on e da w pl ghi g t h i fi lds o di y p s nt s
y e r e o u n e r e a s r n a r e a a

wo u ld t he ver y n e xt d ay i n t he g arb o f sadhus claim , ,

t he h o spit ali t y Of an a k hara sp en d t he n igh t wi t h l oo s e

,

w o m en an d th e n b e c om e t ran sform e d again i n t o c ul t ivato rs

,

o f t h e s o il as s o o n a s it s ui t e d th e ir co n v e ni en c e t o do so .

I have n o d ou b t t he M ahant s c om pl ai n t was b as e d on

’

26 2
 H I ND U M O NA S T E R I E S
a ctu al e xp eri e n ce an d th at i t was n o t wi t hou t c au s e t h at
,

he gr u dge d t he ps e u do s adhu s th e ir b oar d ou t o f t h e

m o d e rat e re ven u e s at hi s disp o s al b u t fo r all t h at I f e lt
, ,

s ur e t h at m y p ort ly h o s t was well able t o t ake c are of hi m

s elf He wi sh e d t h at G o v ern m en t wo ul d e n ac t t h at e ach
.

an d e v e ry s adhu sh o ul d c arr y a c ert ific ate t o S h o w wh o

an d wh at h e re ally was — a s u gge stio n whi ch m igh t be

co m m en de d t o t he c on sid erat i on of t he au t h o ri t i e s as ,

i t s ado p t i on wo u ld c e rt ai n ly b e c on ve ni e n t at s e as o n s o f
ge n e ral un r e st or p oli t ic al t en si on .

I was su bs e qu en t ly i n form e d t hat t hi s abb ot s cl ai m ’

to t he h eadshi p of t he m on as t ery was di sp u t e d an d t h at ,

t he qu e sti on Of hi s right o f p o ss e ssi on was e n g agi n g t he

a tt e n t i on o f on e Of t he l aw c ou r t s .

Two m on as t eri e s o f t h e Ni rm ali s e c t b ot h kn own as ,

Th aku r D yal S i n gh s dha rm sa las were visi t e d by m e on

’
,

t h e 6t h Of S e p t e m b er 18 9 8 .B ot h we re o f c o n si derabl e
S iz e t h o u gh u n p r e t e n ti o u s i n d e s i g n an d c o ul d e asily a ff or d
,

a cc o m m o d ati on t o a l ar g e n u m b e r o f i n m at e s for wh om ,

s e veral r ows Of s m all ro om s w ere p ro vide d B ot h m on as .

teric e h ad t h ei r own oxe n t o draw wat er an d t o grin d t he

c orn for t he h ou s eh old Th e y had t h eir o wn c ows als o
. .

At t he t im e o f m y visits t o t h e s e e stablish m e n ts m o st Of
t he ro om s w ere u n o cc u pi e d an d on ly a fe w m on ks visibl e
,
.

The s e t oo we re r at h er a p uz zl e t o m e as re g ards t he ir
, ,

dr e ss an d app e ar an c e for t he on ly e xt ern al ch ar act e ristic

,

th e y s e em e d t o h ave i n c o m m o n was l on g h ai r .

M o st o f t hem wore oran ge c olo u re d cl ot he s an d m alas

-

of lit t l e w ooll e n b alls re s e m blin g b eads an d t h os e wh o ,

were go in g o u t c arri e d chi ppees (alm s b owls m ade ou t of -

c o c oan u t sh e lls ) i n thei r h an ds Al on g wi t h t h e Gr an t h

-
. ,

t h e Bibl e o f t h e S i k hs o t h e r b OO
,
k s h e ld s a cre d by t h e
H in du s were re ad i n on e Of t he s e dharm salas m orni n g an d
e v en i n g In de e d t he M ah abharat a was b ei n g re ad an d
.
,

e xp o un d e d whi l e I was i n t h e m on aste r y by a B r ah m an

p an di t wh o was n ei t h er a N i rm a li n or a s adhu I n t he
, .

o t h e r dharm sa la an i m ag e o f R am Ch an d ra h ad b e en s e t u p ,

th ou gh I di d n ot s ee i t . T hi s thak u rdwara h ad b een

fo un de d by a pi ou s wom an Of m e an s .

Am on gst t he sadhus I n ot ic e d a go od l o okin g boy of -

26 3
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
a b o u t fift e en or sixt een ye ars of age an d a sked hi m why ,

he had b e c om e a sad hu an d given u p t he wo rld of whi ch ,

he c oul d h ardl y h ave s e en an yt hi n g H e p ro m ptly re .

pli e d t h at o n e was n e ve r t o o yo un g t o e n t er u p on a go o d
p ath .

S om e wh at di ffe re n t fro m t he e st ablishm en t s d e scrib e d

ab o v e is t h e g re at m at h o f J o i Till a S i t u a t e d o n t he t o p
g ,

o f a co n spic u ou s hi ll i n t he J b e l u m di strict o f t he P un j a b .

Pr o ce e di n g towards thi s m on as t e ry i n ord e r t o b e th ere on

t he occ asi o n Of a c er t ai n Hi n d u f e s t i v al I fe ll i n o n t he ,

way wit h twe lve or thi rt e en Yogi s all yo un g m e n i n t h e ,

pri m e o f life b oun d for t he s am e pl ac e All o f th em had

, .

th ei r h ai r h an gi n g ab o u t the ir n e cks b u t n ot p art icu l arly ,

l on g an d ble ach e d a y ello w b ro wn c ol ou r Th e y had t he

,
-
.

l e as t qu an tity Of clothi n g on an d had th eir bo di e s ,

s m e are d with ash e s All wo re t he ch aracte ristic yogi

.

whi stle d ep en di n g from t he n e ck S om e c arri e d hu ge

.

t o n gs o t h er s s m all ho e s
, Two or t hr e e alm s b o wls an d
.
-

s om e b rass imi t at i on s of t he g ou r d w ere als o t o b e s een .

On e m an was arm e d wi t h a fo rm id abl e s erp en t sh ap e d -

win d i n strum en t N o n e o f t he p arty s e e m ed dispos e d t o

.

b e co m m u ni c at ive o r e v en to an swe r m y qu e s t io n s As I .

walk e d al on g v ery l eis ur e ly t he Yogi s p ass e d m e by on t he

,

r o ad ; b u t wh e n I s ubs e q u en t ly o ve rt o o k t h em on ho rs e
,

b ack th e y we re S i t ti n g b e side a p o ol s m o ki n g ch arras

, .

F art h er on I m e t a Yogi t ru dgi n g al o n g alo n e an d ,

s o on disc o v ere d th at he was n ot as r etic en t a s t he m en I

h ad l e ft b e hi n d i n cl ou ds o f ch arr as s m o ke n e ar t he p oo l
-
.

M y n e w a cqu ain t an ce c am e fro m t he m ili t ary s t at i on of

J helu m an d S O p ro b ably kn e w s om e thi n g ab ou t E u r o p e an s
,
.

I l e arn e d from hi m t h at he had s erve d an app r en t ice ship

t o a f am o u s gu ru fo r f ou r y e ar s b e f or e h e was per
m i t t e d t o h av e hi s e ar s pi e r c e d t o r e c e ive t h e h u g e ri n gs
whi ch t he Kan phatti Yogi s we ar an d t o h av e whisp ere d
t o hi m t he s acre d an d s e c re t m an tra Of t h e o r d e r .

AS we app r o ach e d t h e m o u n t ai n — for s u ch i t r e ally was

we p ass e d m an y g rou ps o f p e d e s t ri an s on pl e as u re b e n t
-
.

On e p arty c on sis t e d o f t h r e e b oys t h e e lde s t n o t six t e e n

,

ye ars Old wh o had c o m e from t he town o f J b e lu m s e v e ral

, ,

m ile s di s t an t Th e y we re all n e at ly an d cle an ly dre ss e d

.

26 4
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I ND I A
while I s oj ou rn e d o n t h e m ou n tain o r at any rate as l on g ,

as t he fe stiv al l as t e d I di d n ot avail m yse lf Of this kin d

.

o ffe r
,
h avi n g alre ady m ade m y arran ge m e n t s b u t I s aw ,

t h at t he c r owd m o s t ly Of vill ag e f o lks wh o h ad c o m e u p

, ,

t he hi ll e n j oye d t h e m s e lve s right pl e as an t ly at t h e f ai r

, ,

an d w e r e w e ll c are d for by t h e h o spi t abl e abb o t The .

”
shrin e o f Till a s ays Mr E D M aclag an
,
. is c e rt ain ly
. .
,
!

ve ry an cie n t an d is possibly a re lic o f a p re vi ou s cu lt ; it

,

is m e nt i on e d i n t he Ai n i Akb ari The re we re form erly - -

.

l arge gran ts of re v en u e attach e d t o t he m on aste ry b u t ,

th e s e we re ab olish e d s om e ye ar s ago whe n t he M ahan t ,

was a ccu s e d o f m u r d e ri n g his riv al fo r t he gaddi The .

Yogi s o f Till a are n o t an e s t im abl e b o dy b u t are h e ld i n ,

c on siderable r e pu t at i on e ve n by Mu ss u l m an s an d t h e y h ave
, ,

” 1
H in du di sci ple s aw ay b e yon d t he A fgh an b order .

R oam i n g ab ou t t he h i ll t op wi t h a l o c al gu ide m y -
,

atte n ti on was di re ct e d to v ari ou s ge o l o g i c al fe atu re s o f t he

m ou n tai n f orm at i on w hi ch t o ld of t it ani c b attle s b e tw ee n

,

r iv al Yo i s an d o th e r sadhu s i n t he Old t i m e Th w
g e re as .

als o poi n t e d o u t t o m e a S l ab o f d ark c ol o u re d st on e on -

,

which so m e d oz e n c owrie S he lls an d s u n dry pie ce s o f cru de

b rown s u g ar had b e e n pl ac e d i n m e m ory o f Old e v e n t s
whi ch are still fre sh i n t he re c o lle c t ion s o f t he village l ads
an d m aid e n s I t was on t hi s st on e the y told m e th at
.
, ,

R an j a s at an d s ou n de d hi s whis t l e an d on thi s sl ab he h ad ,

b e en i n iti ate d in t o t he s e cre ts an d re ce ive d in t o t he s e c t

o f t h e Yo i s
g . T h e stor y as it w as t o ld, m e on t h e S p o t is ,

w ort h re p e atin g .

R an j a , h e ari n g t he p rais e s o f H e er s un g by t he
wan de rin g m in stre ls b e c am e e n am ou re d Of he r s ou gh t
, ,

he r o u t an d ar tfully s u cc e e de d i n Ob t ain in g s e rvic e as

,

a c o wh e r d i n h e r f ath e r s h o u s e A m u tu al attachm en t
’
.

S p r an g u b e tw e t h h ds m y t h an d t he l o v e ly
p e n e an o e o u

girl ; b u t t he wife o f H e e r s b rot h e r had h e r s u spici on s

’

ar ou s e d by t h e b e h avi o u r o f t h e l o ve rs an d s e cu r e d t h e ,
’
c owh erd s dis m iss al To p re v e n t scan dals an d t r ou ble
.
,

H e e r was m arrie d t o an ot he r m an an d R an j a dis app o in te d , ,

an d di s m iss e d wen t o ff to b e co m e a Yogi t e lli n g Hee r he

, ,

w o u ld m ee t her ye t To J ogi Till a he w e n de d his way

.
,

1 P u nj ab Cens u s R ep ort , 189 1, p . 117 .

2 66
T H E M Y S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS OF I N D I A
so regu l arly g u ide d i n he r d an ge rou s c ou rse b y t he l o ve
,
’
light Of t he Jogi s fi re B u t he r doin gs we re fou n d ou t by
.

a j e al o u s fe m al e re l ative wh o on e n igh t S pite fu lly re pl a c e d

,

H eer s tru sty ghu rrah by a sim il ar b u t u n bak ed v e ss el

’
.

All un c on sci ou s of t he s u bstit u ti on H e er i n t he d ark n e ss , ,

o f t he n ight e n te re d t h e r iv e r
,
an d wi t h t he t re ach e r ou s , ,

ai d o f t h e f ragile h u h sw a m o t i n t o t h e st re am B t
g rr a u , u .
,

b e fore S h e h ad g on e h alf way a c r oss t he po t s o ft e n e d i n -

,

t he w at e r an d g ave way S he c rie d al ou d t o he r l o ve r for

.

he lp a s she fel t he rs e lf dr owni n g R an j a at o n ce plu n ge d .

in t o t he stre am t o her assistan c e b u t t he l o ve rs we re ,

c arrie d away i n t he d arkn e ss an d n e ve r s e e n ag ain .

The ab o ve st ory has b ee n r e p ro d u c e d as it was t old t o

m e b u t it s e em s t o b e a m e dl e y of t wo r o m an c e s w ell
,
”
kn o wn i n t he Pu n j ab Hi r an d R an j a , an d S oh ni an d ,

Mahi rwal .

Th e n am e Hi r is s t riki n gly re mi nisc en t

an d R an j a
Of Hero an d Lean der b u t s t ran g e t o say i t is n ot i n t hi s
, , ,

on e ,b u t i n t he S oh ni an d Mahi rwal l e g e n d t h at t he l o v er ,

swim s t he river as L e an d er u s e d t o b rave t he d an g er s of

t he H e ll e sp o n t for t he l o ve o f t he p ri e s t e ss o f Ve n u s .

On m y r e t urn fro m J ogi Till a i t was m y g o o d f ort u n e

t o h ave for a p ar t o f t he way t he c om p ani on ship o f a
, ,

y oun g an d ve ry talk at ive Yogi wh o had t rave ll e d a g o o d

d e al He had b ee n he s aid t o Hi n gl aj on t he m o un t ain s
.
, , ,

an d i n tok en of hi s visi t h ad b e e n d u ly b ran d e d on t he

‘

right f o r earm This he e xpl ai n e d was d on e b e c au s e t he

.
, ,

D e vi at Hi n glaj u s e d t o b e w or shipp e d by M uh am m ad an s ,

an d th e y e n j o y e d h e r sp e ci al f a v our ; S O S iv a di re c t e d th at

H in du s who w en t th ere sh ou ld b e b ran de d with hi s sym b ol

as a m ark of hi s divi n e p ro t e c t i on Wi t h re gard t o .

Am arn at h i n K ashm i r where he h ad also b een t he y oun g, ,

Jogi s aid t h at till re ce n t ly it had b e e n t he c u st om for

p e rs on s visi t in g t he s acre d i c e c ave o n t he m o un tai n t op t o - -
,

di v e s t t h e m s e lv e s (b o t h m e n an d w om e n ) Of e v e ry sti t ch
o f cl ot hi n g as i t wa s t h u s t h at l o r d S iv a wi sh e d t h e m t o
,

a pp e ar an d d an c e b e f o re hi m ; b u t m y i n f o rm an t add ed
t h at n ow o wi n g t o t he wish e s Of t he f at h er o f t he p r e s en t
,

M ah araj ah o f K ashm ir t he wom en were all owe d t o c o ver ,

t h e m s elve s b u t wi t h a S in gl e g arm en t o nl y
, The m e n e nt e r .

26 8
 C H A P TE R ! II

N a t i o n al I d lsea of s f N t i l Ch t e —E u op
Li e f as d
i n i ca t i on o a on a ar ac r r ean

an d Am i d ls t st d wi t h t h t f I di —A Li f i v l vi n g
e r c an I ea c on r a e a o n a e n o

R enu i tinc a g d d by t h H i du s t h l y p s i bl H l y Li f
on r e ar e e n as e on os e o e

S d h i m i i t R li gi u s S i l P li t i l I t ll t u l
a u s n s e o d I d u s tri l
, oc a , o ca , n e ec a , an n a

A sp t s —Th p ob bl Fu t u f S dh i m
ec e r a si d d
e re o a u s c on er e .

ideal o f life whi ch cl ai m s

in t he
!

e sp e ci al r e g ar d or is t he Obj e c t o f
t he Su p r e m e am bi t i on o f an y p e opl e
t h e i r ch ar act e r is disc e rn ibl e i t m ay ,

b e p ro fit abl e i n c on n e cti on with t he ,

su bj e ct of thi s v ol um e to p au s e for ,

a m o m e n t t o c on trast t he hi gh e s t
ideals Of t he b u sy p ractic al We st an d o f t he t ran qu il
dream y E ast .

Tho u gh M am m o n worshi p p re vail s l argely i n E n gl an d ,

t he l o fti e st a spi rat i on s of t he vas t m aj ority of E n glishm en

still t en d towards aristocrat ic id e als t he Obj e cts of hi gh e st ,

admi ratio n am on gst th em af t er r oyal t y wi t h its Old w orld

,
-

gl am o u r b ei n g t he h eredi t ary n oble m an or l an de d g en tl e

,

m an who t akes a l e adi n g p art i n p u blic life t he stren u ou s ,

stat e s m an an d t he vict orio u s gen eral R oyal t y b ein g

,
.

e xcl u de d t he h e ro t yp e whi ch i n e ach ca s e attracts t he

,
-

hom ag e of t he E n glish world is still t he aristo crat

2 7O
 C O N CL U S I O N
s u cc e ssfu l as a m an of acti on I n t he Uni te d S tate s o f .

Am erica which have n o royal c ou rt an d n o heredi tary

,

n o bility whi ch u n t i l r e cen tly had n o f orei gn rel at i on s Of

,

m agnit u d e wh e re t he f e eli n g is i n t e n s e ly d e m o cr at ic an d
, ,

wh ere t he b e st e n ergi e s o f t he p e o pl e are u n t i rin gly d e

vot e d t o i n du stri al p ur s u i t s t he p ro sp ero u s b u si n e ss m an ,

spru n g fro m t h e ran ks o f t h e people t he cl e ve r accu m ul at or ,

Of we alt h t he plu tocrat t he s elf ass ertive mi lli on aire is

, ,
-
,

t h e b e au i de al o f t he n ati o n an d n e x t aft er hi m t he wid e

-
,

a wak e p u shi n g p o li t ici an H e re als o it is e viden t p opul ar

.
, ,

a d m i rat i o n is giv en t o wh at is re g ar d e d as t h e e m b o di m en t

o f s u cc e ss i n fi e lds Of ac t ivi t y c on g e ni al with t h e n a ti on al

t ast e an d l e ani n gs 1
For t h e p ro fe ss e dl y r e ligi ou s lif e
.

there e xists b o th i n E n gl an d an d t he Un i t e d S tate s

p erhaps i n all Pro t e st an t c oun tri e s — a s ep arat e an d
di st i n ct id e al of p e rf e ct io n ye t c e rt ai n it is t h at t he ,

r e sp e ct Of t h e pi o u s Pr ot e st an ts Of B ri t ai n an d t he S t at e s

is com m an de d by t he vig orou s active wo rker for t he

good of o th ers an d n o t by t he re ti ri n g s e lf c on t ain e d
,
-

a sc e tic .

Ver y di ffe re n t i n d e e d fro m t h e b u si n e ss b orn ide als we -

h ave b e en c on si de rin g is t h e hero t yp e whi ch for age s has -

dr awn t he adm irin g h om age o f In di a an d t he Far E ast .

The c o ve t o u s We st e rn s m ay h av e t h e i r e ye s rive t e d with

gre e dy appre ci ati on u p on t he b e j ewell e d R aj ahs o f In di a
an d t h e i r b ar b aric p o m p b u t for r e as ons alre ady i n di c at e d
, , ,

i t is t h e a sc e tic p ro f e ssi on t h at t im e ou t Of mi n d h as b e e n
of re e m i n en t di g n i t y i n t he e ye s o f t h e I n di an l
p e
p p o e
-
.

The qu i e t in activ e r e cl u s e t he re tire d asc e tic d e t a ch e d ,

from t he world an d i t s p e tt y rivalri e s has si n c e t h e ,

e ar li e s t ag e s o cc u pi e d t he v e ry hi gh e st pl ac e i n t h e
n at i on al e st e em — a f a ct which sp e aks vol u m e s for t he
c on di t i on an d psych o l ogy o f t he Hin du s b e c au s e as , ,

Carlyl e has we ll s aid The m ann e r of m en s H er o

,
’

worshi p ve rily i t i s t he i nn erm o st f act o f t he ir e xiste n c e

,

”
an d d e t erm i n e s all t he re s t .

Th at t he o n ly p o ssi bl e s t ate Of a r e ligi ou s (h oly ) life is

1 I i i
t t
s s t i g t h t i n E ur op e lu at i s su ff i n g f m t h d lu si on o f
n er e n a , , n c er ro e e

S el f imp
-
o r t an c e c o m m on ly i m gia ne t h ems lv s t b p i s d k i gs d
e e o e r n ce an n , an

on t he ot h Si d
er e o f t he Atl an t i c t he m e g l m i s u s u lly m i lli i s
a o an a c ar e a on a r e .

27 1
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S AI N T S OF I NDIA
on e in vol vi n g asce ticism an d ren un ci ati on o f t he world ,

has b e en for ag e s s u ch a d e e ply ro o te d ide a i n I n di a , t h at

Hin du ap ol ogists for t he m ore active life h ave fel t c on
strain e d t o devis e apol o gu e s whi ch m ight b e cite d i n
s u pp o r t o r j u stific ati on Of m en of ackn owl e dg e d g o odn e ss
wh o did n o t wi t hdraw t h e m s e lve s fro m t h e t e m pt ati ons
an d t o ils o f m un d an e e xist e n c e For e x am pl e R aj ah
.
,

J an ak who rul e d hi s kin gdo m wi th gre at abi li t y had t he

, ,

r e p u t at i on als o Of b e i n g a v e ry reli gi ou s m an ; b u t t he
a sc e t ics sc ou te d t hi s n o t i on an d it was arr an g e d by s o m e
,

s adhus th at th e y sho ul d h av e an i n t e r vi e w with t h e ki n g

i n o rd e r t o t e st hi s p re t e n si o n s Te n of th e m a cc or di n gly
.

a sk e d for an a u di en c e an d r e c e iv e d p e r mi ssi on t o ap p r oach

t he lnn g , b u t o nl y o n c ert ain p r e scrib e d co n ditio ns .

E ach m an am on gst t h em was to c arr y a l arge e arthen

war e vas e fu ll of water on hi s h e ad an d sh oul d s u ffer ,

d e at h if he all owe d e v en a si n gl e dro p Of t he c ont en ts t o

S pil l.

The stip u l at i o n s w e r e a cc e pte d an d R aj ah J s n ak e

’
,

c apit al m ad e p re p arat i on s for t he re c e pti on o f t he h oly

s adhu s . The sh o ps an d h o u s e s w ere g aily d e c orat ed t he ,

m ul titu d e s w e re ou t i n t h e ir g al a attire an d tro ops li n e d ,

t he s t ree t s al on g which t he vi si t ors w ere t o p ass .

S l o wly an d v e ry c are fu lly (for th e ir liv e s were at st ak e )

, ,
’
did t he ki n g s gu e s t s w en d th ei r way t o t he royal p al ac e ,

wh ere the y were graci o u sly re c eive d by t he R aj ah who ,

a sk e d t h e m i n an a ffabl e m ann e r wh at th e y th ou gh t o f
, ,

his c apit al t hr ou gh t he b e st s t re e ts o f which th e y h ad

,

j u st p ass e d on t h ei r way t o t he p re s e n c e ch am b e r The-

.

i n dign an t s adhus p er ce ivi n g th at th e y w ere b ei n g l au ghe d

,

at ,
re pli e d wi t h ch agri n th a t t h e y w e r e un abl e t o e xp r e ss
’
Opi n io n on this p oi n t si n c e thr ou gh t he kin g s u n
an
y ,

r e as on abl e t yr ann y th e y had n o t b ee n abl e t o l oo k e i t h e r

t o t h e right o r t o t h e l e ft h avi n g t o thi nk abo u t t he

,

b ri mf u l water p o ts on t h ei r h e ads
-
.

The R aj ah v e r y p ol i t e ly b e gg e d hi s visito r s n o t t o b e
ann o y e d ,
as wh at h e h ad d o n e was o n ly t o i n c u lc a te an

i m po rt an t l e ss on .

You m o s t ven erabl e sadhu s s aid t he ki n g

, h av e ,

p ass e d al on g t he stree ts wi t h ou t any mi sh ap ; your e ye s

272
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I NDIA
re us l t was lo n g si n c e gru dgi n gly admi t t e d as t he f oll owi n g ,

pro phe cy pu t in to t he m ou th o f t he Ve dic god I n dr a sh ows

, ,

cl e arly e n ou gh
Wh en t hi s k ri ta (or golde n ) age s ays t he go d , ,

h as c o m e t o a clos e i nn u m e rabl e m e n di c an ts an d ,

hyp o cri t e s shall aris e an d t he f ou r ord ers b e c o m e dis

” 1
o rganis e d .

A n o t e worthy st at e m en t thi s t he fu lfil m en t of whi ch is ,

am ply at t e s t e d by t he f ore goi n g ch apt e r s .

Th at t he s adhu as su ch sh o ul d e nj o y pop ul ar co n sidera

t i on has un do u bt e dl y b e e n at all ti m e s a v ery s o re t ri al for
t he p rou d B rahm an an d e sp e ci ally h at e f ul to hi m wh e n ,

i t was a low c aste S u dra wh o i n v i r tu e Of b ei n g an -

,

a sc e t ic r e c e iv e d t he re sp e ct an d h om ag e o f t h e p e o pl e
,
.

B u t as al re ady r e m ark e d t he B rahm an ic al o pp o si t io n

, , ,

h o we ver stro n g has prove d un availi n g an d t he ri ght of , ,

t he S u dra t o t h e p ri v il e ge s o f s adhu i sm an d asc etic

p ractic e s at any rate du ri n g t he pre s en t age h as b e e n
, ,

au t h o rit ativ e ly if re l u ctan tly adm i tted i n t he R am a

, ,

?
y an a
1
M h bh a a ar at a —S an t i par v a n , se c . l xv . Mu i s r
’
S an s k r i t Texts , v ol . i .

p . 4 85 .

2
ur i u s l e g d whi h c o t ai n s t hi s a d m i ssi on
Th e c o en f ll ws — A c n is as o o

B r ah m an y o u t h d i d s u dd e ly wi t h o u t a pp en t c u s ee Th f t h f th n ar a . e a er o e

b oy b w i li g h i l ss m t th k i g s p l d i hi s l m s ’
, e a n s o , cat ti e o e n a a c e , an n a en a on

a cc u s d t h k i g t h s m i di vi R m hi m s lf f h vi g t h u gh s m
e e n , e e -
ne a a e , o a n , ro o e

f u lt of h i
a ul f t h l d b u ght b u t t h u t w d v t Th
s, as r er o e an , ro a o e n o ar e en . e

i m pu t t i h d R m s s d h s um m d u il f s g s t ’
a o n r ea c e a a e ar , an e on e a co nc o a e o

c on si d t h m t t er N d b i g p s t xpl i d t h t t h d t h f
e a er . ar a a e n r e en , e a ne a e ea o

th B hm e rab yw d ant t h p sum pt i

o f S d
as wh w uep t i si g o e re on o a u ra o as rac n

a u s t i t i s f t h t t i m t O f t i bj t s M f hi s t xpl i d
er e or e a a n en c er a n o ec . en o s ca e, e a ne

th s g w t i t l d t t hi s g t p i vi leg i R m s g (t h T et
’
e a t e, er e n o en e o r ea r e n a a a e e r a

y u g ) t h
a u gh, h d m i tot d p ph t i l ly
e a t h t i t h K l i y g S d e w ul d ro e ca a n e a u a u r as o

p t i s u st i t i f l y d i ght u sly t
r ac e a er es R m ree b m th , an r eo oo . a a, as e ca e e

gu di f hi p pl t ff i m m di t l i qu s t f t h u d i u s Off d
ar an o s eo e , se O e a e y n e o e a ac o en er .

Aft s hi g i m y gi s h di sc v d t h s t i
er e ar c n n an t k by
re on , e o er e e a ce c n e ar a an

th S i e l m u t i s
a va a p f m i g t h m st us t p
o n a n , s wi t h hi e r or n e o a er e en an c e s

l gs u pw ds d h d d w w ds I ply t R m s i qu i i s t h
e ar an ea o n ar .
”
n re o a a
’
n r e , e

t psy t u vy s t i
o -
rs t i ll s t di g hi h d s i d 0 h i ghl y i llu s t i u s
a ce c, an n on s ea , a , r o

R m a I m b
a, i th a fS d orn d wi t h
n vi w t h t h gi
e r a ce o u ra s , an , a e o r e ac e re on

o f th l s t i ls wi t h m y b dy I m g i g t h u gh t h s u s t e p
e ce e a o s , a o n ro e e a re e n an ce .
”

O h i g t h i s t h k i g d w hi sw d d f t hwi t h s ti s ’
n e ar n , e t ff t h
n re s or an or cu O e a ce c

h d A ft t h i s t f j t i t h B h m b y w
ea . er ac s t d t li f
o us ce, e ra an o as r e ore o e .

R m y a a —U t t k
an a d m l xxxv i —lxxx i x M m t t N t h D u t t s
ara an a , sec . . .
, an a a a
’

tran sl t i a on .

2 74
 C O N CLU S I O N

S AD HU I S M I N I TS POLI TI CAL A S P E CT .

Politic ally , sadhu i s m , t hro u gh t he

p ere nn i al wan deri n gs
o f t he a sc e tics o ve r t h e l e n gth an d b rea dt h o f t he l an d ,

has t e n de d t o p re s erve a ce rt ai n h o m o g e n eit y t hro u gh ou t

In di a an d so far has b een act in g c ou n t er t o t hat t en den cy
, , ,

t o fissi on an d di sin t e gr at i o n whi ch is n at ur al i n s u ch a

vast coun t ry o f m an y l an g u age s an d rac e s At t he s am e .

t i m e t he det achm en t fr om h um an affai r s whi ch sadhu i sm

,

d em an ds m u st h ave b ee n at all t i m e s advers e t o p atri ot ism

i n an y f orm an d t h e re c an b e n o d ou b t t h at i t i s l arg e ly
,

d u e t o t he s u b t l e e ffe cts o f t he spi rit o f sadhu i sm u p on

t he ch ara ct er of t he p eopl e o f I n di a t h at t h at c oun t ry is s o
e asily g o v e rn e d by a h an df u l o f f ore ign offici als an d a fe w

thou s an d whi t e s ol di ers .

TH E I N T E LLE CT U A L A S P E CT OF S AD HU I S M .

In tell e ct u ally , spirit o f sadhu i sm h as u n qu e sti on

t he
ably p ro v e d m o s t b an e ful i t s t e n d en cy b ei n g t o r eg ard
,

p assin g e ven ts t hat is history i n t he m aki n g wit h

,

u n di sgui s e d co n t e m pt an d t h e stu dy of n at u r e as u s e l e ss ,

sin ce t ru e kn owl e dg e an d p o wer o ver ph en omen a c ou ld

b e ac qui re d only by co n t em pl ati on an d au st erit i e s .

I ND U S TRI A L E FFE CT or S AD H U I S M .

M an y e sti m at e s h ave b een m ade , an d at

tim e s di ffere n t ,

o f t h e p ro p ort i o n which t he n u m b e r o f r e ligi o u s m e n di c an t s

i n In di a b ears t o t he e n t i re p o p ul at i on Mr Ward . .
,

t he S e ram p or e mi ssio n ar y wri t i n g a c e n t ur y ago an d wi t h

,

sp e ci al re feren c e t o B e n gal an d B e h ar s ays : I have ,

e n d e av o u re d t o a sc e rt ai n t h e p r o b abl e n u m b e r o f H i n d u s

who e m b race a life o f m en dici t y an d am i n form e d t hat ,

sc ar c ely l e ss t h at an e i ght h p art o f t he whole p opu l ati o n

ab an d on t h ei r p r op e r e m pl o ym e n ts an d live as r e li gi o u s

m en dic an t s by b e ggin g
”
Mr Cro oke s i n hi s N(n th Western
. .
,
-

P rovi nc es of I n dt a pu t s t he figu re for t h at t erri

'

tory at t wo mil lion s ou t of fo rty m illi on s o r on e t w en t i et h ,

-

o f t he p o p u l at i on .

27 5
 T H E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I NTS OF I N DI A
Natu r ally ,
e v e ry o n e who
chi e f e n d of b e li e ve s t h at t he
m an is t o pr oduce thi ngs of vari ous k i nds gri e ve s o ve r t he
de pl orable waste of p rodu c t ive e n e rgy r e p re s e n t e d by t he
sadhu p o p ul at i on of In di a B u t aft e r all i s i t o f n o .
, ,

im p ortan c e th at t he c o un tr y has b een able t o pr oduce for

a hun dre d gen e rati on s wh ole arm i e s o f m e n able t o
p ract is e wi th a reli gi ous pu rpose t h at c on t em pt o f t he
, ,

world an d e art hl y riche s which is at l e as t th e ore ticall y , ,

on e o f t h e m o s t i m p ort an t o f C h risti an vi r t u e s ?
1

No d ou b t t he phil o s o phy an d ar t I m i gh t s ay t he
, ,

cu lt of chr oni c idl e n e ss is t h orou ghl y u n derstoo d an d

,

a ct e d u p on i n I n di a ; s t i ll i n e sti m ati n g t he e xt en t t o , !

which its s adhu p op u l at i on is a b u rd en u p on t he c oun t ry ,

s e veral f acts h ave t o b e b orn e i n m i n d which t he m os t

s u p erfici al an alysis o f t he c om p o si t i on o f t he re ligi ou s
m e n dic an t cl ass b ri n gs t o ligh t I n t he fi r s t pl ac e .
,

am o n gst s adhu s are i n cl u de d a v e ry c on sid e rabl e p e r c e n t ag e

o f wh at i n o t h e r co un tri e s are m e re ly t h e d e s t itu t e p au p er s

su pp ort e d by t he S t at e o u t o f t he p ro c ee ds o f t axat i o n ,

b u t i n I n di a o u t o f t he al m s o f t he p e opl e Ag ain sadhus .

,

are to n o s m all e xt e n t r e li gi o u s t each e r s (gu rus ) o f t he

m ass e s an d t hi s m u s t b e r e c o gnis e d i n an y e sti m at e o f

,

th e ir v al u e or oth erwis e t o t he c om m un ity .

I n t he r an ks of t he sadhus t oo t h ere is ho n ourabl e , ,

room for th o s e m en p re s en t i n e very c o m m uni ty who, , ,

as Bish o p Cre ight on on ce s aid al t h ou gh as good as ,

”
gold an d fi t for h e ave n are o f n o earthly u se ,F u rt h e r .
,

t he i n c orrigibl e i dl er s wh o i n E ur op e b e c om e in t ol e rabl e
an d d an g er o u s vagr an ts p u r s u e a m o re re p u t abl e c ou r s e i n
,

I n di a The y sim ply a do p t t he r e ligi ou s h abit o f s om e s e ct

.

o r o r d er an d e n t er t h e r an ks o f t he p ere gr i n ati n g s adhus

,
.

Th ere are o ther p oin t s als o whi ch i n thi s c onn e cti on , ,

d e s er ve at t en t i on For e x am pl e sadhu s are p rom in en t ly

.
,

i n evi d e n c e on acco un t o f t h ei r p e cul i ar dr e ss an d

app e aran c e whi l e th ei r wan d e rin g h abi t s t aki n g th e m
, ,

of t en i n hu ge p arti e s from pl a ce t o pl ac e t h ro u gh ou t t he
,

circli n g ye ar s ee m t o m u l t i ply t h em m an y tim e s over

,
.

Their n e ce s sary d aily app eals for a d ol e o f sim ple f ood t o

1
John 11 15 16 ; Jam e s i v 13 14 ; R om xi v 17 ; L u k e m v 26
.
, .
, . . .

Mat t . x i x. 21 .

276
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS OF I N D I A
of t he pre sci en t Hi n du l e gisl ato r s e ekin g to c oun te ract ,

t he d e pop ul ati n g e ffe cts of th at spi rit of asc e ticism an d

r e n un ci ati on o f t h e w orld whi ch at its h eight p rob ably
t hr e at e n e d t o l e ad t o n at i on al e xti n cti on An d s o if I am .
,

right ,
an o rdi n an c e ai m e d a t a sc e ticis m has b e e n pow er

f u ll y in st ru m e n tal i n k ee pin g u p t he p o p u l at io n of I n di a ,

p rob ably far ab o v e t he limi t m o st advan tage ou s to t he

c ou n try D urin g t he p eriod wh en t he spi ri t of asc e t icism
.

was m o s t i n fl u e n t i al i n t h e Chr is t i an w orld l aws w ere ,

p ass e d an d e very hi n dran c e pu t t o t he sp read o f m on achis m ,

an d for t h e avo w e d re as o n o f its i n j u rio u s e ffe ct u p on

pop u l ati on 1
. An d so als o i n m or e m o d e rn ti m e s an d on ,

t he s am e gr o un ds Pe ter t he Great p ro hi bit e d t h e adoptio n

,

o f a m on astic lif e b y p e r so n s u n d er fifty years o f age .

The B r ah m an l e gisl at or s e cure s t he s am e e n d b y a v ery

di ffe re n t p roc e ss U n ab l e an d i n all p rob ability u n will
.
,

i n g t o e n fo r c e r e pre ssiv e m eas u r e s ag ain st sad hu i sm h e

, ,

app e als t o t h e reli gi ou s f eelin gs an d t h e f e ars of t he p e opl e ,

in sist s u pon t he obli gat i on of e very Hi n du to h ave a son ,

an d thr eat en s p u n ish m e n t i n a f u tu re life t o s u ch as f ail

i n t his du ty A s a re s ul t t he n um erical stren gth of t he

.
,

n atio n is m ai n t ai n e d an d at t he s am e t i m e t h e c ere m o ni e s
,

c onn e cte d with m arri ag e s an d bi rt hs help t he cle ver

h ere di tary pri e sth oo d t o k e e p th eir h an ds p erp e tu ally i n
t he p u rs e s of th eir lay b re thren .

TH E FU TU R E or S A D HU I S M .

If wi th an e
yfu tu r e of s adhu i sm we con mder
e to t he
i t s p re s e n t st ate t he co n vi cti on is f or c e d u p on us th at
,

i t is n o t i n as m u ch f av ou r a s at m an y fo rm er p e ri o ds
i n I n di an hi st ory ; o r p erh aps I sho u ld rath er s ay th at
, ,

t h e t h ou ght s of m e n i n I n di a ar e n ow b ei n g str o n gly at

t ra ct e d t o m ore w o rl dl y id eals .

B rit ish rul e wit h i t s st ron g bi as t o wards m at e ri al

,

im p ro v e m e n ts its e n c o ur ag e m en t o f t rade an d t he facili t i e s

, ,

i t affords for ch e ap loc om oti on an d for e m igrat i on has ,

Op en e d u p a vari e ty of c areer s offici al an d oth er t o all , ,

c aste s alike an d als o m an y n ew ways t o t he a c qu ire m en t

,

Bur y s Later Rom an E m pi re v ol ii pp 4 66 4 68

1 ’
, . . .
-
.

27 8
 C O N CLU S I O N
of riche s whi le i t s stabili t y gu aran t e e s t he s afe p oss e ssi on
,

o f we alth by all rac e s alik e Howe ve r en am oure d of

.

sa dhu i sm H i n du I n di a m ay h ave b een t here we re o f , ,

c ours e at all t im e s goo d Hin du s wh o f u lly app re ci at e d

,

t h e advan t age s o f wo rldly p o ss e ssi on s an d w e r e assid u o u s

wor shipp er s of Ku ve ra t h e ir go d o f we alth M er ch an ts
,
.
,

i n de e d are p rom i n e n t ch aract er s i n s om e of t he o lde st

,

t ale s t h at h ave c om e down t o u s fr om B u ddhi st tim e s b u t ,

un d e r d e sp o t ic r u l e r s t h e a cc u m u l at io n o f rich e s was n o t

an e asy m att er an d c e r t ai n ly t h e i r displ ay w o u ld h ave

,

b ee n d an gerou s The e ve r pre s en t p rop ort i on of we alt h

.
-

s ee k ers i n t he p o pu l ation has i t s Opp ort u ni t y n ow an d is ,

re i n fo r c e d by cro wds allure d away from th e ir old ideals

by t he sp e ci al at t racti on s of t he n ew age A s i n t he .

We st so i n In di a t o d ay t he p oss e ss ors of t he world s

, ,
’

goods h owe ver th eir tre asure s m ay hav e b e en acqu i re d

, ,

are obj e cts of p op u l ar re sp e ct an d r e c e ive m ark e d

,
c on

siderati on from t he r uli n g p o we rs sh ari n g wi t h favoure d ,

o ffici als t o an app r e ci abl e e xt e n t t he h o n our s which t he

S t at e h as t o b estow H e n c e t he de si re for afflu en c e an d

.

for t he o st en t ati ou s p arade of we alth h as b e co m e ve ry

pron o un ce d ; an d t he m ore so sin c e ou tside t he Native
S t at e s m o st o f t h e old h ere di tary digni t i e s h av e c e as e d to
b e of m u ch a ccou n t un d er t he n e w r egi m e Hi n du c aste .

di sti n cti on s n e c e ss arily re ce ive littl e if an y r e cogn itio n , ,

u n d er B ritish ru l e an d t h e ,
pride of t he twic e b orn -

cl ass e s n o e n c ourage m en t at all S adhus are n ot m ore .

fort un ate ; for wh at e ve r t he ir m eri t s or t h eir cl aim s m ay

,

b e t h e y are look e d do wn u p on with c on te m ptu o u s i n

,

di ffe ren c e by t he r ul i n g rac e t he n e w twi ce born s of t he

,
-

In di an world n ow i n e ffe ct t he predom i n ant caste

, ,

e xhi biti n g all t he vi r t u e s an d t he vice s of i t s p e c u li ar

p o siti on privile ge s an d pre te n si on s
, , .

M ore ove r whi le old s oci al l an dm arks are t hu s dis

,

app e ari n g it cann ot b e de ni e d that a n e w n ati onal spi ri t

, ,

n at u r ally o pp os e d t o s adhu i s m is b e gi n nin g t o awake n

,

an d t o m an if e s t i t s elf spo radi c ally i n a c t s whos e i n t e n t i on

at l e ast is u n m i st ak abl e .

An o t her p ot en t factor i n d et erm i ni n g t he fate o f

s adhu i s m is E n glish educat i on whi ch b ein g i n disp e n s abl e
, ,

2 79
TH E MY S T I C S A S C E T I C S AN D , , S A I N TS OF I N D I A
for offici al c are e r is e agerly sou ght for by all t he
an ,

am biti o u s yo u ths o f t he c o un t ry ; an d t he al u m n i o f t h e

In di an sch o ols an d un iver sit i e s i n o cul ate d with We stern ,

ide as an d an xi o u s t o do cr e dit t o the ir trai ni n g gen erally

, ,

affe ct tho u gh th e y m ay n o t
, alw ays f e e l a s u p e r ci li ou s ,

un c on c e rn ab ou t s adhu s an d s adhu i sm The s adhu s .

th e m s e lve s tho u gh pro fe ssi n g as h ere t of ore a li fe o f

, , ,

c om pl e t e de ta chm en t from t he wo rld f ee l i n an un won te d ,

d egre e t he e ffe c t s o f t he cu rren ts o f m odern a ctivity whi ch

ar e ci r c u l ati n g thr o u gh t he l an d an d u n d er this sti m ul u s , , ,

ar e aw ak eni n g to co m bi ne d a c t i o n s of a v e ry u n u s u al an d

n o t e worthy ch ar a c t er For e x am pl e we l e arn f rom t he .

,

Pre ss wi th f ee li n gs o f s at isf ac t i on n ot un mi n gl e d wi t h
,

grave co n cern th at at a gre at b athi n g f ai r at A ll ah ab ad

,

t he s adhus sin ki n g th ei r ani m ositie s j oin ed i n prayers

, ,

for t h e s u cc e ss of t he B ritish arm s whil e t h eir l e ad er s ,

de liv ered sp e e ch e s full o f l o yalty an d d evo tion to t he

” 1
E n glish R aj .

Witho u t d ou bt th en e xisti n g circum stance s are ten di n g

, ,

i n m an y w ays to di scre di t an d un de r m i n e s adhu i sm an d ,

t he c on t i n u an c e o f th e s e c on ditio n s will in e vit ably a ffe ct

its p o sit i on i n t he fu ture Ye t to con cl u de th at t he d e sire .
,

for w e alth an d p o siti on s o stron gly sti m u lat e d by p re s en t

cir c u m st an c e s th at t he p oli t ic al awak e ni n g of th e s e t im e s
, ,

t h at t h e sp r ead o f e du c at i on an d t h e gen eral f ee lin g of

unr e s t i n I n di a will all co m bi n e d p r o v e t he d e at h kn e ll o f
, , ,
-

s adhu i sm woul d h ardl y b e j u sti fi abl e Po ssibly t he ve ry

, .
,

r e v e r s e m ight h app en ; for as lon g as t he com m o n

st an dards o f livin g i n I n di a are low and t he re li gi ous ,

ide as o f t he p e o pl e su bst an ti ally u n ch an ge d a l arge p art ,

S a tu rday R evi ew, 3 r d Marc

1
19 00 The d ee p si g i fi c f t hi s h . n an ce o

d spl y g d f
i a of oo g
ee li n p
on t h e l g u s s t i s t w ds t h i
ar t o f t h e re i i o a ce c o ar e r

f g ul s
or e i n r e r , fe w, I f y h v
an c , s
a e re ali e dh sh t t i g f B i t i sh
W at a . a er n o r

p st i g
re h v hi gh ll t hi s v ls Thi k f i t ! Th m di t
e , on c e ea en - , a re ea . n o e en c an

sa dh ff i g p p y s t s u h g od s
us o er n t h y w sh i p t
u ra er m to th o c as e or o co e e

a ssi s t f t h i d f t d E gli sh m s te s
an c e o e r F y s t m t h st y
e ea e n a r . or e ar o co e e or

wi ll b t ld wi t h m y ddi t i s by Y gi S y i
e o , an d B i gi i
a on , o s, an as s , an a ra s n

e v y vi ll g s u t h f t h H i m l y s s t t i g t h m i ds f m y m i lli s
er a e o o e a a a , e n e n o an on

o f p pl eo t hi k i g i
e ua- u s t m d w ys A d t h p s
n n n f
n ac c f w o e a . n e r e e n ce o a e

t h us
o d B p i s s i I di wi ll ly s v
an oe r r on e rt st i m n y t th n a on er e as a e on o e

e ffi y f th i t
ca c o i f the H i d i t Li t t l
n erc es s o ns o d p pl k w h w e n u sa n s . e o eo e no o

mu h h c b l s t t h i gl i u s b t t l fi lds f S u t h A f i
as een o on e n or o a e e o o r c a.

2 80
TH E MY S T I C S A S CE T I C S AN D
, , S AI N T S OF I N D I A
disillu sion e d d e sc en dan ts Of t he ri shi s r o u ghl y awaken e d
ou t of th e ir old dr eam wo rld -
B ewil d ere d re s ent ful b u t
.
, ,

un abl e t o r e sist t he n e w sti m u l at i o n fr om wi t h o u t the y ,

are g alvani se d i n t o fe verish un he althy cravin gs for

m at e ri al thi n gs n o t always h arml e ss i n t o n e w e xp e n sive ,

m o d e s an d st an d ards Of livi n g whi ch i n t h ei r i n n e rm o st

,

h e art s t h e y d o n ot app re ci ate an d i n t o e n t erp ris e s for

,

which th e y h ave n o re al v o c at i on S om e t e rm t his .

b ut e v e n if it b e s o t h e si t u at i on is n o t wi t ho u t
p r ogress , ,
’
a c er t ai n p ath o s fo r aft er all m an s high e st d e sti n y is
, , ,

h ardly re alis e d by hi s b e in g p erp e tu ally e n gage d i n

m a n u fa ct u r i ng thi ngs of vari ou s k i n ds howe v er u s e fu l i n ,

t he m s e lve s
,
n or e ve n i n h elpin g t o di strib u t e s u ch
p ro du c t i on s ofte n with t he ai d o f qui ck fi ri n g gu n s ov er
,
-
,

t he f a c e of t h e i n h abit e d gl o b e .

H ol di n g as I d o th at h appin e ss vi rt u e dignity , , ,

p ers on al fre e d o m an d ,
re as on abl e co m f ort are q ui t e

com p atibl e wi t h m ode s o f life politic al i n stitu ti on s , ,

i n du stri al system s an d religi ou s cree ds whi ch are n ot

,

thos e Of E n gl an d or t he We stern wo rld t he p re s en t ,

tran siti on stat e Of In di a s e em s t o m e a su bj e ct of m u ch

m o re th an p assi n g i n t ere st .

By n o m e an s e n am o ure d Of In di an sadhu i sm I fee l ,

at t he s am e ti m e n o p ar tic ul ar ad m i r at i on for t he i n
du stri ali s m o f E ur o p e an d Am e rica wi th i t s v ul g ar ,

aggre ssiv en e ss its e ternal c om p e tition an d its s ordid

, , ,

un sc ru p ul ou s , unr e m itti n g an d c r u e l st r u ggl e for w e al t h

,

as t he s u p re m e o bj e ct Of h u m an e ffort B u t wh at e v e r .
,

m ay b e t he m erits or d e m e ri t s o f th es e t wo syst e m s t h e y ,

are e ss e n ti ally an t ag o n istic sin c e t he e c on om ic id e al o f

,

life b e i n g frank ly w orl dl y an d s e ve rely prac t ic al e xcl u de s

, ,

im agi n at i on e m oti o n ali sm an d dre am y s en t im en t alism an d

, , ,

c on s e qu en t ly reli gi on als o e xc ept o f t he phi l an t h ropic al or

,

ph aris aic al typ e . H en c e a m o m en t ou s if u n obtru sive , ,

s t ru ggl e i n I n di a is i n e vitabl e u n der n e w c on di t io n s

b e t we en t he f or c e s which m ak e for t he ren u n ci at i on of the
wor ld o n t he o n e h an d an d for t he a ccu m u lat i on of wealth on
,

t h e o t h e r ; an d t h e re is n o d o u b t t h at as a c on s e qu e n c e , ,

t he i m m e m ori al civili s atio n o f t he Hi n du s will u n d e rg o

ch an g e b o th i n its spiri t an d p rac t ic e un de r t he s t i m u l u s
, ,

282
 C O N CLU S I O N
of t he p oten t foreign influ e n ce s to whi ch it is n ow exp o s e d .

Ye t I c an n ot help hopi n g that t he In di an p e ople physicall y

,

an d m en t ally di squ alifie d for t he s tren u ous li fe o f t he

We stern w orld will l on g re tain i n their n at u re en ou gh Of
, , ,

t he spi ri t of s adhu i sm t o e n abl e the m t o h old s t e adfastly

t o t he sim pl e fru gal u n co n v en ti on al l eis ur e d lif e of t h ei r
, , ,

fore fat h ers for whi ch cli m at ic c on diti on s an d their own

,

p as t hi s t ory h ave s o we ll fitte d t h e m always b e ari n g i n

,

mi n d t he l e ss on t au ght by th e i r s age s t h at r e al we alth an d

,

t r u e fr ee dom d e p e n d n ot so m u ch u p on t he poss e ssi on o f

m on e y or a gr e at st ore of g oods as u po n t he re aso n abl e
, ,

r e gu l atio n an d li m it a ti o n o f t he d e sire s .

283
 I NDE!
B hm h
ra ac ari , or r e l i gi o us stD du de n t , an a, ff carri e d by D di s
a st a an ,

15 ; S ai a e ct , 152, v s 16 3 ; 160 on e .

from S o t e rn I n i a uhe cr d d s i b d D di s e , an S iv ,s t 152 ; ul s a a ec , r e ,

221, 222 . c u s t m s a d b li fs of t h s t
o , n e e e ec ,

B h
ra m o S am a , a re ce n t n on i
-
j -
d ol a 160 16 2 -
.

us s
t ro e c t , 13 7 . Da s n a m i s , t h e t e n s u b - o r d e rs of

B sh ul
ri t i r e i n I n d i a i t s e ff e c t , u p on S an a i , 153 y ss .

s adh u i s m , 27 8 28 1 -
. Da t t a t r e ya, hi s u pa gu ru s , or as
h s 158 si st ent t e ac er , .

y d f u d of t h e A y a an an , o n er r a
S m j 13 7 a a , .

C d pp t i t e i s t n e s f 50 e r av e a e n a c o
p , , .

C l m i t i s at t ri b u t e d t s d h u s 56
a a e h m l (m st e y) f Th k u
o a , ar sa a on a r o a r
58 . D y l S i gh 264 26 5 a n , , .

C en o b i t i li f i gi f t h 11
c e , or h h i w d rf u l u s t e i t i s
n o e, . ru v a , s on e a r e ,

Ch i s
a n s t i w i gh t d wi t h 4 8
, an a c e 23 25c x lt d t t h sk i s
e e , . -
e a e o e e as

Ch i t
a it
an u s 19 2 e n n t h p l st
, 25 . e o e- ar , .

Ch i t i t e
a an V i shn v s, s t 152 ; D i g m b
a ( k y l th d)
a a J i
ec , a ar a s -
c o e , a a n
p uli i t i s d u s t m s f 19 1
ec ar e an s u b s t 15 1 c o o , ,
-
ec , .

19 2 . Di si ll u si m e t st y f t h on n , a or o e

Ch i t a y f u d s s t f w sh i p
a n a, o n Old t i m 8 1 8 3 a ec or or en e, -
.

O f K i sh r d R dh na 128 ; D ugs t h
an f a ti
a d u gs a, r , e u se o n rco c r
i t d u s m u si l
n ro ce p ss i s t e ds t o p du ca p t hy d ro c e on n ro ce a a an
k now nk i r t a
n a s sa 129 ; i l q ui t i s m 14 ; f vou d by d
n s, n on e , a re sa
ca et s g p d a u ru
y v t i n a b 42 s ra a, e n e ra o u s, .

o f th li gi u s t e h
e re 13 0 ; h i
o D dh h i t i s wh
ac li v
er, s u a ar , as c e c o e on
s t fl u i shi g s t i ll 130
ec o r n mi lk 50 , .
, .

Ch k a di s u s
r a , or m bl m of t hc , an e e e
V i shn v s 4 3
a a a , .

E
Ch m a (b s m )
ar ri d by J in
e o c ar e a

m k s 15 1
on ,
. ly oll ti s O f s d hu s d ar re c ec on a an

Ch i t y l d d i t h H i d u S i p
ar an e f qu i s 1 3
n e n cr a r ,
-
.

t u s 14 0 14 1
re t y s i . t i fic xpl t i Of c s as , c en e an a on
—
, , ,

hi
C pp l
ee s,m s b w l s m
a d t O f 1
-
7 7 17 9
o a e ou .

c o c o an u t sh lls 263 e E t hi s h , . ti wi t h c as no c onn e c on

Ch i s t i
r s i s d i v d f om
an r o ar e Hi d u u t i t i s 3 4 3 5 er e r n a s er e , , .

I din 40 a, . E xt di y t l f Y g i 55 rao r n ar a e o a o , .

Ch i s t i
r s ts an i t ec dm d , an c en an o e rn ,
f d t 14 2 14 3
re e rre o, ,
.

Ch i s t i i t y
r anff d s bu d t x
, a or a n an e
F
m pl s f x t m
a e o s t i i s m 10
e re e a ce c ,

th d ti
e f v lu t y s t i
oc r n e o F ll n (Mi ss ) oh n u t f
ar a ce a o , er acc o n o
i m
c s t id a roo O f 26 -
P m ea y u g dh i 24 5 24 7
, . re i , a o n sa v ,
-
.

C on c h sh ll u s d e m t by F qu i s
e ly as ll t i s f 1 3 ;
o rn a en a r , e ar re c o ec on o ,
-

s dh u s 4 0
a , . l i m s u p i i t y v s d hu s 6 4 c a er or o er a , ,

Co fli t s b t w
n c th f u d s
e deen 65 ; i m p t e f th i o ut t
n er an o r an c e o e r er

l d s f ul t s
ea er s ts
o cmm 65 68 ;
or ecd s i b d by a co on an c e s , e cr e
f t u i ll l i gi s 3 3 3 4
ea re n a T v i 95
re on , , . a e rn e r , .

F i s t i s wh li v f ui t s arar , a ce c o e on r ,

50 .

F st i g 4 8 a n
D
.
,

F th dup d st y f m th a er e , a or ro e
D du f u ds
a , o t f n t h w sh i p G
a se c th f Gu u G vi d S i gh
or e or r an o r o n n ,

fR m
o 13 3
a a, 8 8 90
.
-
.

D d u P t hi s t f u d d by Fi t i s dhu s i I d i fic t i
a an s ec , o n e c on , a n n an on ,
D du 133 a ,
. 68 9 1 -
.

D ity
a t i bl
as , u s t e i t i s O f 20 F b s (J m s ) hi
e rr e a r u t Of e , , or e a e , s ac c o n
21 . I di s dh u s d t h i s t i n an a an e r a ce
D k hi
a h i n act h i s t m a k 38
ar s , i m i n l u di g s o m
e r ec s i gu l r , . c s s, c n e n ar
B m u
a er d um , or i d by S i v s
r s 9 7 100
, c arr e a a , on e ,
-
.

43 . Fu l f S y s i 156 157 n e ra o an a , , .

2 86
 I ND E X

G J
Garee b Da s U r dh a b ah u , ai ra i ,
an B g Jai n n un s 14 5 150 15 1 , , , .

ds bd
e c r i e , 2 14 2 17 - d u st m s . J in s t h i r d oc t i n s
a , e r e an c o ,

g ph d
Geo ra i ca l c o n i t i on s 14 2 150 ; d i v i d d i t t w s t s
in I n ia d -
e n o o ec ,

f v u bl
a o ra s s
e t o a c e t i c i m , 13Sw t mb d Di g m b 15 1 . e a ar a an a ara , .

GOpi c h a n d a n a us d p e gs J l dh
i n ai n t i n s t i s wh i t u d
ect a a ar a , a c e c o s n er a
s
m a rk , 3 8 s t m O f w t 50
. rea a e r, .

ps l
Go i , t h e m i k m ai ds J l h yi s t i s wh i t i m m s d
o f B i n dra b u n , a as a , a ce c o s er e

38 . i w t 50 n a er, .

Go r ak n a t h, a d fid s ei e Jh t t d
ai n t wor w h i il d u a ar e e s , e ar a r co e on
ish pp d
e in Npl e a N han d th h d 39
or t e r n e ea , .

I n di a , 18 4 Ji s J i s i t s 14 9
. na , a n a n , .

v d gh
Go i n S i n h
, t en t l s uu Jg h
an d a t G r b s t Of t h Y g i s o ees u rs , a su -
ec e o ,

of t he S i k hs , 13 2
18 5 . .

Gr e e k hs s qu
i t ori an ac d w h J gi di y t m f Y gi P
ai n t e it o , or n ar er or o , re

d s dhu s
I n i an a , 93 f ii . ac e , v .

Gr i h as t a o r h u s h ld
o e o f J gi s f d t wi t h di sgu st by
e r , l i e pr e o r e e rr e o
s b d
cr i e for , 15 B i 97 . er n er , .

s vl v
Gu r u p a d asraya , er i e e n era t i onJ i t f m i ly sys t m f v u bl t o n a e a o ra e o
l g us
o f t he r e i i o h ul d d h i m 16
t e a c er i n c c a t e sa u s , .

by h y
C ai t an a , 13 0 .

K
H Ka b i r , f u ds
v s t
o n a Va i hn a a s ec ,

H an si t s r e a m e ani n an d l g 122 mm ds d s pl s t
re co en hi s i c i e o
its i li t 124 ; p hs
a,
c on c ll m a e a en ,
f
an c i fu l
i n t er re t at i on , 162 p .

p u i t y f h t 124 st y f h i
r o e ar or
re ac e
s
H ar i d a s , h i s am a h or i n t er m e n t , s d wi f d t h wi k d g
e an 125 e
,

c e r oc e r ,
o

47
H a an ss Kh
.

x y s y
an , e t r aor di n ar
l im d
c a Mu sli m by t h
e as a e

Of ul u s d gs
h i s mi ra c o oi n
t or Mu h m m d s 126 a a an , .

64
, 61 K bi P t hi f ll w s f K bi
a r an s, o o er o a r,
127 152 ; p u li i ti s d
.

ec ar e an cu s
h y g xpl d
H at a o a e -
ai n e , 17 2, 17 3 .
o
,

t m s f t h s t 19 0 19 1 O e ec
b sh p u Of s
H e er ( B i o ) , hi s a c c o n t om e
K ph t i Y gi s u b s t 18 5
an a s, o
, , .

du s s ec
-
.
,
H in a c e t i c , 103 , 104 .
K t k
an a t h u h 45
a - sa a , or orn c o
yy
j
H e e r a n d R an a , t h e r o m an t i c 46
c , ,

t ors y o f, 266 26 8 -
.
ar a
.

K li gi wh s t i t h i d si s
n s, o re ra n e r
H er m i t a e gs ds b d e cr i e l us an d i l by m h i l g m t s 50
ec an c a ar r a n e en
e

,
re

t rat e d , 4 3 , 44
Hin du l wg v u s l d d w by
a i er , r l e ai o n
.
K m ( t i ) H i du d t i
ar a ac f on , n oc r ne o ,
,
107 108 17 2
for t h e c o n du lf
ct of f u i e in o r K h b Ch d S
es
,

f u d f th
,

un ra
.

en , o
p s b d p ds
r e c ri e eri o , 15 .
B hm S m j
ra
u
13 7 ; p tis d
o- a a
n er o e

sh s y f
H or n e d R i i , a t o r r om t he y g 17 3
o a,
, r ac e

Gr an t h uu
of G r v d gh
Go i n Sin ,
Kh k i s s u b s t f R m
a , a di s
.

-
ec o a an an ,
8 3 85 -

18 9
.
.

Ki d h a t d l dy s t y f m t h
n -
e r e a , a or ro e
G t h f Gu u G v i d S i gh 8 7
r an o r o n n , ,

88
I d ls O f li f E gli sh A m i
ea e, n , er c an ,
.

K wl ( x t m S k t s ) t h i s t
d I di mp d 27 0 27 1 o s e re e a a , e r ec
an n an c o ar e
m k 38
.
, ,

I d ls s m t i m s i d b u t by ar , .

s dh u s 4 2
o e e c arr e a o
K i sh w shi pp d by t h V i sh
r n a, or e e a

I din
a

a,
,

di t i s p v i li g i
c on
.

on re a n n,
na v s 109 ; h i ul t
a , si d d s c c on e re ,

118 1 19
p uli ly f v u bl f t h
ec ar a o ra e or e
Kuk s
,

t p li t i
.

li gi u s
g m t f th
e n co ur a s ti e en o e a ce c
s t 13 7
a , a re c en o co -re o

l i f 13 e, .
ec , .

I d s t i l i s m O pp s d t
n u r a dh i m o e o sa u s ,

28 2 .
1
I r on fi t gs i d by s dh u s
r e - on c arr e a , Laksh m i wi f f Vi sh u w sh i pp d
, e o n , or e
4 1, 4 2 . by V i sh v s 109 a na a , .

287
 I N DE!
y y g xpl d
La a o a e -
ai n e , 172 Mu t i l t i by s dhu 4 8 . a on a a , .

f
Li e o f H i n du s d v d
i i ed i n t o o r f u My (i ll u si ) H i du d t i O f a on , n oc r n e ,

p ds
er i o , 15 .106 .

v s g
Li n ga i t s , S a i a e c t , 152 ; o ri i n an d
cus s s
t o m o f t h e e c t , 16 3 , 164 N .

g
Li n a m (or ph lal i c em bl
em )
N dh w by Y g i s 18 5
h u d by v s
on o r e S ai a e c t , 43
N d i s v ss l s y i g su bt l th s
.
a o rn o , .

s s d s yf
L o t s o n r e t or e , a t or r o m t he
t h u gh t h h u m b dy 17 5
a , e e c arr n e e er

Gr an t h Of u u v d
G r Go in S in gh N k d
,
sp s i bl f l w a
ro
e n ess re
e
on
an
e
o ,

or
.

o
8 6, 8 7
u xu y
L s
.

s
an d a c e t i c i m m ay e i t xs O p i i O f I di s h l d by m y n on n an e an
Eu p s d y f s d hu
r
5 t
p
c on t e m o r an e o u sly , 10
t w ds 26 9
.

o
ro

ar
e an ,

.
en en c o a s

N k hi fli t wi t h t h an a , s c on c e

M S i ddh s 3 1—3 3 ; S pi i t u l d a , a r a e
d t Of K bi 13 1 i gi l
M dh a h y
a av f u ds Vi s h u
c ar
f a,
u d f S ik hi s m h i t
o n
h a
i g
n
sc en an a r, or na

vi t s t 118 119
e ec ,
13 2
, .
o n er o , s e ac n ,

M dha (
av a s M d h h i ) t h ir a av a c ar s e
.

N t hs i m m t l s i ts h d by
or
s t m k 3 8 s t O f V i sh a u ,

, or a a n on o re

na
ec
v s 152 ; p u li i t i s
a
ar
d
,
Y g i s 18 6
ec
ec

ar
a
an
o , .

i w d 13 5—13 9
, e
B hm i m
cu s t m s 18 8 o ,
N ih
.

i kh s t
e O- ra an s re v e e , .

M h bh t s t y O f
a a ara a , t i
l s
g
g
S
d
or
i g t h m 19 8 201
153 p ti
c er a n
an s, ec , ar cu

20 ; s t y f Vi
ar re ar n e -

d ity mit
.
,
a as, or o sv a ra
an d V s i sh t 27 3 0
a
N im t
a,
s t f u d d by N i m
- .
a s, ec o n e

b d ity
M h nt ( bb t ) i s t ll t i of
a a a o
i m b di ty
,
1
n
3
f
0
u a
d f
a
th s t f
on on e
a a, .

d s i b d 253 256
e cr e ,
t h Ni m t
-

13 0
.
a a, o n er o e ec o

M h t m s n t t b m t wi t h i t h Ni m l i S i k h s t 153 p t i u l s
a a a , o o e e n e
e a s, .

b z s 6 6 18 6
a aar , ,
g d i g th s t
.
;
g
r a s, ec , ar c ar ,

M h y gi (t h g
a a o t s ti ) m e r ea a ce
d i t i i
c na e
re ar n e ec an s or n,
19 5—19 8
,

of Siv 111 112 a,

.

M ji
a dh i f B
a sa s 24 4 24 5 v
N ,
do
.

h
e n ar e
i xp l t i f or au s e an a on o

a a
,

M l s ( s i s ) d s i b d 39 4 0 Nu s J i 145 150 151 Ch i

r o ar e
s t sy 17 7 —17 9
e cr e
,

, ,
,

.
.

ec a , .

M l ti d M dh
a a an t h st y Of
t
a
i t
av a,
19 2
e or ,
n
an
,

e,
a n, , , a

74 8 1
.
-
.

M t y g xpl i d 172
an r a o a e a ne , .

M tt
a er d spi i t an t g i sm r , 0 an a on
b tw e 8 e en ,
Ogh
.

s u b s t f t h Y gis 18 5 ar s , a
M di t t i
e a p t i s d by Y g i s
on as r ac e o ,
ec o e o , .

17 6 .

M kena ym ph O f h v
a, a
'
nd
p
ea en an
m th o fS k er o t l i es h a o o n a a , c arr er

ff t t h
O ol s t i l gi s 7 3 e ce e P h dh a i re s t i s wh on ,it . an c a u n s, a ce c o s
M i t s Ch i s t i i d f h d d u p
er , r anm i ds t fi fi s 45
ea o , oar e a ve re , .

f orfu t u 19 re u s e , P di t M i Ji v . M uk t an a a an u , a
M t m psy h s i s H i d u d t i n O f
e e c o d h i 24 2 24 4
, n oc r e ,
sa v ,
-
.

107 . P t h i sm f t h H i d u s 106 an e o e n , .

Mi b i (P i
ra a ss ) w shi ps K i sh
r n ce P m h , S iv
or s t 152 r na a ra a an s a , a a ec ,

as R h 13 4 ;
an ac d f u ds or , u l s u s t m s d b l i fs O f t h an o n a r e , c o , an e e e
s t 13 5
ec , . s t 16 2 16 3 ec , , .

M s t i s i u m s t s u d P t j l i u t h f p t i l ul s
on a er e , c rc an c e n er a an a , a or o r ac ca r e
wh i h t h y i s 11 vi s i t s t o
c e O f Y g Vi dy 172
ar e, o a a, .

s m d s i b d 248 26 9
o e, e cr P c s Of v
e , i s k i ds 44 50 ;
-
. e n an e ar o u n ,
-

M k s J i 144 14 7 Ch i t i t
on , a n, d s i b d by T v i 9 4 9 5 ;
-
, a an e, e cr e a e rn e r , ,

19 2 . by B i 9 7 by J m s F b s e r n er , a e or e ,

M ls d as t i i s m t h i l
o ra an 9 9 100 ; by W d 100 101 ; by
ce c , e r re a , ar , ,

ti s si d d 3 4 3 5
on c on H b
ere 103 104 , e er , .

M u t M u dh i j urn y t hi t h Pl g u v t d by Y g i 217 220

.
, ,

o n er , sa i s o e er a e a er e a o ,
-
.

and d t tu o no 47 48 P w re v rn , tu b t i n bl by, . o er o er na re o a a e
Mu h m m d p w i I di i t
a a an s t i p t i s 18 19
o er n n a, s a ce c r ac ce , , .

efl t ec H i dui s m 115 1 16
on P n t h vi t l i , d it i ul
, . r an a , e a a r an s c rc a
Mu ssul m i v s i Of I d i 115
an n ti a 17 4 17 5
on n a, . on , , .
 I N DE X
S an y si l i g p i d f H i d u li f
a , c os n er o o n e, w shi pp s 152 ; u s t m s a d
or er , c o n
15 ; f t h S i v s t s 152 ;
on e o e a a ec , p uli ri t i s 18 7 18 8
ec a e , , .

d i vi d d i t t b o d s 153
e n o en su -
r er , t h ul s i a th-
g o ss b od y i t
ar r a, e r
‘

, s
Am i l dy ad mi t t d t t h
e r c an a e o e natu 16 9 re , .

s t 154 ; ul s d u s t m s f
ec , r e an c o o S ud th i
r a s, i ght t d g e r r o un er o au s
th s t 154 16 0; s u b s t f
e ec ,
- a -
ec o t iti er g i s d 274
e s re c o n e , .

th R m
e di s 18 9 ; a k d
an an , a na e S k
u bh v
ee- s t f We s t e
a a, a ec o rn
S y si d hi f m l m p i
an a an s e a e co an o n I di n 13 4 a, .

d s i b d 223 —226
e cr e ,
. S uk h m s i r t h s u b t l b dy i t
s a - ar a, e e o s

y i d s i b d 223 226
,

S an as n e cr e ,
-
. di t i p sp t s d ul ti m t
c on on , ro ec , an a e
S arr a - s yy w b d f B hi hm
a a, arr o -
e o s a, em i p ti
an c 169 17 0 a on , , .

45 . un - w shi pp i g B i gi d s c i b d
or n a ra e r e
S t m k s d s ri b d 3 7 3 8
,

ec ar e c e , , . 23 1 23 3 -
.

S lf m t i fi t i
e -
orv i u s fo m s ca on , ar o r S up m B i g u d g s us te i
re e e n , n er oe a r
p t i s d by s dh u s 4 4 50 ; d
rac e a ,
-
e t i s 25
e , .

s i b d by T v i 9 4 9 5 d
cr e a ern e r , , e S w g (H v ) s o ugh t by s d h u s
ar a ea en a
s i b d by B i 9 7 ; d s i b d
,

cr e e rn e r , e cr e 47 48 , .

by J m s F b s 9 9 100 ; d a e or e , , e Sw t m b
e a (w hi t b d) J i
ar a e -ro e a a n
s i b d by W d 100 101
,

cr e ar , , sub s t 15 1 -
ec , .

d s i b d by H b 103 104
e cr e e e r, , .

S en tim t s Of t h O i en t xp ss d e r en e re e
by E gli sh p t 28 1
an n oe , .

T
S eva ji t ly d i fi d
, by
r e c en e e
M h t t s 13 7 ; f s t i v l
a ra a t ly , e a re cen Tan gal as, s u b s t f t h S i V i sh
a ~
ec o e r a
h ld i C l ut t i h u f
e n a c a n on o r o ,
v s 18 7
na a , .

13 7 . T i k hi w o d ful u s t i t i s
ar a, s n er a er e ,

S h i gh i R i k h t h h d s i t hi 22 23
‘

r n , e orn e a n , s , .

s t y f m t h G t h O f Gu u
or ro e ran r T v i wh t h w f s d h u s
a e rn er , a e sa o a
G vi d S i gh 8 3 8 5
o n n ,
-
. d th i
an u st i t i s du i g hi
e r a er e r n s
S i dd h s fli t wi t h N k 3 1
a ,
c on c an a , t v ls i I di h i d s i p t i
ra e n n a, s e cr on
33 . O f Mu sli m f qu i s d m i s t k a r , an a en
S i k h i s m f u d d by B b N , o k n e a a an a u t f t h i gi O f dh i sm
ac c o n o e or n sa u ,

an d m d i fi d by Gu u G vi d o e r o n 9 3 —9 6 .

S i gh 13 1 13 3
n ,
-
. T m pl s li gi u s m i t qu i d by
e e , re o er ac re
S i f ul ss t h hi d
n ne t sp i i t u l
, e n r an ce o r a th s t u t i f 249 250
e c on r c on o , , .

a spi t i s 8 ; t t i b u t d t t h
ra on , a r e o e Th i
ar a s r s t i s wh s t d f l g
, a ce c o an or on
c or p lf m 8 o re a ra e, . p i ds by w y O f p
er o 46 a e n an c e , .

S i g hi
n m t w
, by Y gi s
o rn a en orn o , Ti k s s t m k s 38
a , ec ar , .

18 6 . Ti l k s s t m k s 3 8
a , ec ar , .

S il en ce , v ws f 4 8 o o , . Ti t h k s J i s i t s 149
r an ar a , a n a n , .

Sit a, wi f O f R m Ch dr w e a a an a, or T b
o it
ac c o , i I di 14 s u se n n a, .

sh i pp d by t h V i sh v s 109 e e a na a , , T s m u t t i O f m t l s pr t i s d
ran a on e a , ac e
119 . by s dh u s 59 —6 1 a , .

Siv a, r eg d d by hi f ll w s t h ar e s o o er as e T if l
r s t m k 38
a a, ec ar , .

S u p m B i g 110 hi w shi p
re e e n , s or T ip
r dun s t m k 38 r a, ec ar , .

a tt i d p m i t p si t i i
a ne a ro n en o on n T i
r san k i t du ed i t o h v
u, n ro c n ea en
th e i th tu y A D
n n 110 ; cen r . .
, by Vi m i t 29 sv a ra , .

a ss i t d wi t h li g m w shi p
oc a e n a or , T i s ul ( t i d t ) t b f d
r a or r en , o e o un
1 11 ; t h g t as t i 11 1
e rea ce c, . a m gs t S i v s 4 3
on a a , .

S i v Pu a s t i s f m 22 23
r an a, or e ro , , . Tulasi (h l y b sil ) u s ed f ro sa i s
o a or r e ,

Sl m ee (C l an l ) hi u t Of o on e , s ac c o n 39 .

I di n s dh u s 101 102 ; d
an a , , e
s i b s u i u s li g i u s s u i i d s
cr e c r o re o c e
U
i nth M h d eh i lls 102 a a eo ,
.

S m
o t h d st u t i
na O f by M h e r c on , a hs
U d asi s , S i k e c t , 153 19 4 , 19 5 , .

s hus p h
,

m ud o d it ff t 1 15 an s e ec , . U r d h ab a h u s , ad wh o k e e t e i r
s u pl f d ds p
,

S p ht D y k
as a sub s t Of t h
a a as, a ec e arm i te , 4 6 ; e c r i t i on o f

Ch i t a it 19 2 19 3 an e s, ,
. Of h s
on e t e e , 2 14 - 2 17 .

S pi i t r d m tt an t g i sm b a e r, an a on e s hus
U r dh am u k h i ad h gh d wh o an ea,

tw eenth m 8 e , . d w w ds
o n ar , 46 .

S i Vai sh v
r s t f Vi sh u na as , ec o n s
U r dh apun dra , e c t m ark , 3 8 .

2 90
 I ND EX
xp s s th Wa t s on (Wi lli am ) e r es e e
V s t i m t s f t h O i t 28 1 en en o e r en , .

V d g l
a a s u b s t f t h S i W st m i s t
a as , -
A qu i u m s dh u
ec o e r e n er ar , a
’
s
V ish v s 18 7
a na a p f m
, s t 6 7 18 4
. e r or an c e a , , .

V i sh v s (w hi pp s f Vi s h u ) Wi t h ft i t p s i t i i H i d u i s m
a na a o rs er o n , c cra , s o on n n ,

e m bl m f v u d by t h m 4 3 ;
e s 53 54
a o re e , , .

v i u s f m s u d wh i h t h y W m
ar o or u i g st y f m t h
n er c e o an s
’
c nn n , or ro e
w shi p Vi sh u 109
or w t f G n t h f G v i d S i gh 9 0 9 1
, ne se c o , r an o o n n , , .

f u d d by R m j 116 ; i W d s t h t p s t d y s dh u s
o n e a an u a , s x on er a re e n -
a a
s t s m d 152
ec na e s i d t o p f m 52 6 7
, . ar e a e r or ,
-
.

V ll b h h y
a a acf u ds s t f ar a, o n a ec or
th w shi p O f K i sh
e or B l Y
r na as a a

G O l 127 a a, .

V si s t
a fli t wi t h Vi m i t
a, c on Y t i J i m k s 14 4 —14 7
c sv a r a, a s, a n on , .

27 30 -
. Y g i t m i g 172 o a, s e an n , .

V g t i ni s m
e e ar a du i v t i d Y g Vi dy t h syst m f ll w d by
c on c e o n o o a a, e e o o e
l d p t hy 14
e n c e an a t h Y g i s 172 ;
a xpl i d by
, . e o , as e a ne

V i b t i (s
u d sh s ) u s d i p i t
acre S w m i Vi v k
a e d 18 0 18 1 ;
, e n a n a e an an a, ,

i g s t m k s 38
n ec ar tu l s ul t s f t h sys t m 18 1
, . ac a re o e e , ,

Vi d d s t y d by R m Ch d
ra a, e ro 18 2 e a a an r a, .

22 . Y g i m (t h d t i s d b l i fs o a s e oc r ne an e e

Vi sh u P u
n st o y f D h uv
r an a , O f t h Y gi s ) xpl t i r f o r a, e o , e an a on o ,

23 25 -
. 16 8 18 6 -
.

Vi s m i t
va o fli t wi t h V
ra , i sh t Y gi s S i v s t 152 153 ;
c n c m as a, o , a a ec , , co
27 3 0-
. m d O bt i d v tu by an a ne o er na re ,

17 3 17 4 18 3 18 4 ; i gi f th , , , or n o e

s t i t s u bdi vi si s d t h i ec , s on an e r

W
p u li i t i s 18 4 18 6 ; t l O f ec ar e ,
-
a a e
Y gi s d pi u s w m 233 23 5 o an o o en , -

W d hi
ar , u t f I di
s a c codh u s t l O f Y gi s
n h u d gu t s
o n an s a , a a e o as on o re es ,

100, 101 . 238 , 23 9 .

29 1