Essays Lectures on Religion of Hindu Vol 01

Author(s): H H Wilson
Publisher: Trubner and Company London

Page 27

OF THE HINDUS.
11
SECTION II. STATE OF THE HINDU RELIGION, ANTERIOR
TO ITS PRESENT CONDITION. Although I have neither the purpose nor the power to enter into any detail of the remote condition of the
feelings on this subject, we may appeal to the Padma Purána. In the Uttara Khanda, or last portion of this work, towards the end of it, several sections are oceupied with a dialogue between Siva and Párvati, in which the former teaches the latter the leading principles of the Vaishnava faith. Two short sections are devoted to the explanation of who are heretics, and which are the heretical works. All are Páshandas, Siva says, who adore other gods thau VISIŃ, or who hold, that other deities are his equals, and all Brahmans who are not Vaishnavas, are not to be looked at, touched, nor spoken to:--
ये अन्यं देवं परत्वेन वदन्त्यज्ञानमोहिताः । नारायणाज्जगन्नाथात्ते वै पाषण्डिनः स्मृताः ॥ यस्तु नारायणं देवं ब्रह्मरुद्रादिदेवतैः ॥ सममन्यैर्निरीक्षेत स पाषण्डी भवेत्सदा॥ किमत्र बनोक्तेन ब्राह्मणा ये ऽप्यवैष्णवाः।
न स्प्रष्टव्या न वक्तव्या न द्रष्टव्याः कदाचन ॥ Siva, in acknowledging that the distinguishing marks of his votaries, the skull, tiger's skin, and ashes, are reprobated by the Vedas (Srutigarhitam) states, that he was directed by VISIŃU to inculeate their adoption, purposely to lead those who assumed them into error.— NAMUCHI and other Daityas had become so powerful by the purity of their devotions, that INDRA and the other gods were unable to oppose them. The gods had recourse to Vistiku, who, in consequence, ordered Siva to introduce the Saira tenets and practices, by which the Daityas were beguiled, and rendered "wicked, and thence weak."
In order to assist Siva in this work, ten great Sages were imbued with the Támasa property, or property of darkness and