________________
MARCH, 1880.)
ARCHÆOLOGICAL NOTES.
elements from which we may gather some in- formation as to the inciting cause of the Bud-
dhist development, so marked and in all respects abnormal, in the history of India.
ARCHÆOLOGICAL NOTES. BY M. J. WALHOUSE, LATE M.C.S.
(Continued from vol. VIII. p. 167.) - No. XXIV.-Ethical Parallele. enforcing of truth, gentleness, justice, and Old Hesiod in his homely way affirms-No charity without any reference to aid from saying wholly dies which many people com- priestly intercession. monly utter; 'tis God's very voice.
When Europe lay blinded in the depth of the During the last twenty or thirty years there has dark ages, Tiruvalluvar wrote “Letters and num. been a growing disposition to recognise this truth. bers are the eyes of man, and the words of the But although St. Augustine has said that "the good are like a staff in slippery places," almost substance of what is now called the Christian echoing the words of the wise Job, I was eyes religion was in existence amongst the ancients : to the blind and feet was I to the lame.' His it has never been wanting from the beginning of answer to What is truth? might, if considered, the human race," (Retractatio. 1. 15); the idea stay many mocking Pilates; he says: “It is that most nations have had Scriptures, in which the speaking of words that are without the the central and enduring principles of religion least degree of evil to others." Want of and morality are declared in diverse manners, truthfulness is a reproach compendiously flang would still perhaps be questioned, and impatiently against Hindus, but it was a Hindu who deheard in some quarters. In many pages of the clared "If a man abstain from falsehood, Indian Antiquary Dr. Muir has largely illus, though he practise no other virtae, it shall trated the parallelisms traceable in the Old and be well with him. Truth will lead to every New Testaments and Sanskrit literature, and virtue." Want of gratitude, even incapacity I here venture a few references to the popular to understand it, is another failing alleged by Scriptures of the Tamil and Telugu peoples of European self-complacency, but verges, familiar the Madras Presidency.'
to the Tamil people as any Bible-text, affirm: The Kura!" is in all respeots the Bible of South- “He who has forgotten every virtue may escape; ern India: the earliest and best monument of the there is no escape for him who forgets a benefit : highly organized and elaborate Tamil language, the wise will remember through seven-fold birth and oonstitutes the ethical and literary rule and the love of those who have wiped away their standard against which there is no appeal: nor falling tears." The low-born Indian moralist undeservedly. Higher and more comprehensive gives these readings of the Golden Rule: "It is mortal teaching has never been set forth; like the resolve of the pure not to do evil in return all ancient books it contains parts and passages to those who have done evil to them, --should which later culture passes by, and separates from a man inflict on others that which were grievous the universal and enduring treasures. Its author to himself P-Would you punish those who have Tiruvallayar lived in the 9th, or perhaps as early done you evil? Then put them to shame by as the 3rd oentury ofour era. Brahmans have tried showing great kindness to them !” So would to disguise the fact that he was, as his name Tiruvalluvar heap ooals of fire upon an enemy's implies, born in a low and impure caste, and have head. He too saw olearly the little thank of surrounded his birth with legends, but they can- lending to them from whom there is hope to not claim him; nonecould decide from his writings receive." To give to the destitute," he says, to what caste he belonged except that he was not "is true charity. Other gifts may be returned." a Brahmar), and this from no attack upon priests The following sentences show how true an or ritual cbservanoes, but from a simple constant insight be had into the sources of domestic
From The Oriental, Oct. 9th, 1875,--revised by the the Rev. Dr. Pope, with which this brief glance at the Author.
same subject will not interfere. Dr. Pope considera the • The texts used are The Cural of Tiruvallavar, by the Christian Scriptures were not unknown to Tiruvalluvar, Rev. W. H. Drew, Madras, 1910: and The l'erses of and that he derived many of his sentiments from thence. Vemana, by Charles Philip Brown, Madras Civil Service. This cannot be positively asserted or denied; but the whole Madras : 1829.
range of Gentile Scriptures show that, as St. Paul too * When writing this Note I had overlooked the far Beems to admit (Romans ii. 14), the conscience of man can more important and exhaustive Notes on the Kurra by 1 of itself reach to precepta of humanity and morality.
