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RELIGIOUS SECTS
Vishnu to do honour to his worshipper, the deity well knowing that the enmity of the malignant is the most effective instrument for setting open to the world the retired glory of the pious: he therefore inspired the Brahmans to complain thus to the king.
Śloka (Sanskrit stanza). "Where things profane are reverenced, where sacred things are profanely administered, there three calamities will be felt, famine, death, and fear*."
A Chamár, oh king, ministers to the Sálagrám, and poisons the town with his Prasad'; men and women, every one will become an outcast; banish him to preserve the honour of your people.
The king accordingly sent for the culprit, and ordered him to resign the sacred stone. RAI Dás expressed his readiness to do so, and only requested the Raja's presence at his delivery of it to the Brahmans, as, he said, if after being given to them it should return to him, they would accuse him of stealing it. The Raja assenting, the Sálagrám was brought, and placed on a cushion in the assembly. The Brahmans were desired to remove it, but attempted to take it away in vain: they repeated hymns and charms, and
*
[अपूज्या यत्र पूज्यन्ते पूज्यपूजाव्यतिक्रमः ।
तत्र चीणि प्रवर्त्तन्ते दुर्भिक्षं मरणं भयं ॥
See Panchatantra III, 202.]
1 The Prasad is any article of food that has been consecrated by previous presentation to an idol, after which it is distributed amongst the worshippers on the spot, or sent to persons of consequence at their own houses.
