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Gifts
48 THE BRAHUANISM OF THE CODES. widows (Sati). The re-marriage of widows is mentioned, but with censure, and a widow who remains chaste is rewarded with heaven. Very early marriage of girls was permitted if a suitor was distinguished and handsome.
Householders are enjoined to be liberal in gifts. "If he is asked, let him always give something, be it ever
so little, without grudging;" the giver re10 ceives corresponding rewards, either in worldly prosperity or in future existences. Truthfulness is highly recommended : "he who is dishonest in speech is dishonest in everything." Giving no pain to any creature, the householder is to slowly accumulate spiritual merit, Spiritual the only lasting companion. “Single is each
merit. being born ; single it dies; single it enjoys the reward of its virtue; single it suffers the punishment of its sin. ... He who is persevering, gentle, and patient, shuns the company of men of cruel conduct, and does no injury to living creatures, gains, if he constantly lives in that manner, heavenly bliss.”
The hermit and ascetic periods of life were held up to Brahmans as the culmination of their existence. We do
The hermit not know how many Brahmans went through in the forest. this discipline; but it is recommended to the householder, that when his skin becomes wrinkled and his hair grey, and he has grandchildren, he should go and live in the forest, taking with him the sacred fire and implements for the domestic sacrifices which he is still to perform, and there live in control of his senses, wearing his hair in braids, and the beard and nails unclipped. He was still to recite the Veda, and to be patient of hardships, friendly towards all, of collected mind, compassionate to all living creatures. He must feed only on special kinds of vegetables. A considerable number of austerities are enjoined on him, including exposure to fires in summer, living under the open sky and clothed in wet garments in winter, with other performances con
1 Sati means, “she who is faithful," and is a feminine form of the root seen in “sooth”=truth.
| SR No. | 007305 |
| Book Title | Great Indian Religion |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | G T Bettany |
| Publisher | Ward Lock Bowden and Co |
| Publication Year | 1892 |
| Total Pages | 312 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 42 MB |