Great Indian Religion

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

Page 96

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MODERN HINDUISM. of rites and customs, often mutually discordant, all of Inclusiveness which have an equal claim to inclusion under of Hindu the name Hinduism. Never has there been a
worship. religion so expansive and all-inclusive. As a recent Bengal census report states, the term denotes neither a creed nor a race, neither a church nor a people, but is a general expression devoid of precision. It embraces alike the disciples of Vedantic philosophy, the high-class Brahman, the low-caste worshippers of all the gods of the Hindu pantheon, and the semi-barbarous aborigines who are entirely ignorant of Hindu mythology, and worship a stone in time of sickness and danger. There is so great a difference in the prevalent forms of worship in different districts, there are so many personal and household ceremonies, differing according to rank or Variations in locality, and also there have been so many modern times. changes in modern times, that it is quite impossible to give more than a partial view in a limited space. The common people believe their worship has lasted unchanged for long ages, and Europeans have largely adopted the same view ; but while the Hindu nature remains very largely the same, variations in worship have been multitudinous. The great car festival of Jagannath is a modification of a Buddhist festival; and it would be easy to multiply proofs of the changes in modern Hinduism.
To a greater extent than any nation under the sun, the Hindus are a religious people. As Mr. Wilkins says, “ To Religiousness treat of the ordinary life of the Hindu is to
of the describe the Hindu religion. From before
Hindus. birth to the close of life periodical ceremonies are enjoined and, for the most part, practised.” Mostly they are survivals from animism, sorcery, astrology, and the like primitive beliefs. Thus, before the birth of a child the mother must not wear clothes over which birds have flown, must always have a knot in her dress round the waist, must not walk or sit in the courtyard, in order to avoid evil spirits must wear an amulet round her neck containing flowers consecrated to the god Baba Thakur, and must drink every day a few drops of water touched