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RELIGIOUS PRACTICES AND OPINIONS
Then follows domestic worship, now idol worship: for in most houses there is an image of the favourite deity of the householder, in a room or recess appropriated to its accommo-lation. And to this the family Brahman, in the presence of the master of the house, makes offerings, and addresses prayers, diversifying his recitation by blowing a conch-shell, ringing a bell, beating a drum, waving lights, or other unmeaning accompaniments. A considerable portion of the forenoon is thus unprofitably expended. There is no doubt that many Hindus of respectability feel these rites as grievous burdens, although the influence of prescription, example, and fear of scandal, prevent them from casting them off.
The marriage ceremonies of the Hindus vary much with caste and condition, but they are always, in relation to the circumstances of the parties, troublesome and expensive. It is very little the object of the rite to impress upon the married couple any reverence for the imion so contracted. Some injunctions are directed to the bride; as, “Be gentle in thy aspect; be loyal to thy husband; be amiable in thy mind, be lovely in thy person *.” But no reciprocity of duty is recommended to the bridegroom. The greater number of the prayers and invocations are mythological and unmeaning. It may be remarked of the rite, however, that it evidently contemplates responsible persons. The Vedas then did not sanction
* [Colebr., Essays, p. 133.]
