Great Indian Religion

Author(s): G T Bettany
Publisher: Ward Lock Bowden and Co

Page 61

THE BRAHMAN'S SUPERIORITY.
49 ducive to short life, much study not being forgotten. Finally he may, subsisting only on water and air, walk straight on “until his body sinks to rest”; then, having got rid of his body, he is exalted in the world of Brahma, free from sorrow and fear.
The forest dweller who has not found liberation may become a mendicant ascetic, absolutely silent, caring for no enjoyment, indifferent to everything, but the mendiconcentrating his mind on Brahma. “Let him cant ascetic. not desire to live, let him not desire to die; let him wait for his appointed time as a servant waits for the payment of his wages." "Let him patiently bear hard words, let him not insult any body, and let him not become anybody's enemy. ... Against an angry man let him not in return show anger, let him bless where he is cursed." These are only a few of the numerous precepts for promoting the high spiritual life of the ascetic. Meditation, self-repression, equability, contentment, forgiveness, honesty, truthfulness, abstention from anger, purification, etc.- these may be said to sum up the moral law for all Brahmans.
We can only lightly dwell on the duties of a king and of government as described in Manu. The king represents Agni and Indra, the Maruts, Varuna, The duties Yama and other gods, out of all of whom he is of a king. supposed to be framed; thus he is “a great deity in human form.” He has divine authority, is to protect all creatures, and be an incarnation of the law. He must have seven or eight ministers, the chief of whom must be a Brahman. Punishment is his chief instrument, indeed the only maintainer of the law. He is, The however, to be obedient to the Brahmans, and Brahman's be determined not to retreat in battle. The superiority Brahmans are to be the judges, either by themselves, or as assistants to the king. The criminal code is marked by much severity, and not a little inconsistency. Offences by the low-born against the higher classes were very severely punished, often with great cruelty; while Brahmans were very leniently treated. A Brahman's life was not to be taken, however grave or numerous his crimes.