The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

36
HISTORY OF INITIATION
that the merit of such works, will emit a splendour
which renders man not only superior to the gods, but
58
makes those immortal beings subservient to his wishes.
After this admonition, the aspirant was placed under
the care of his gooroo or spiritual guide, and directed to
observe a profound
silence during the whole of the succeeding
ceremonies, under the denunciation of summary
punishment from the presiding Brahmin, who, he was
told, possessed unlimited power, even to strike him dead
on the spot with a malediction, should he presume to
violate the injunction now imposed upon him. Thus
instructed, the subdued candidate endeavoured to preserve
the utmost equanimity of temper during the process
of initiation ; fearing, lest Joy any involuntary expression
which might imply cowardice or disapprobation, he
should elicit the dreaded resentment of this potent
avenger ; for the gooroo was usually possessed of much
discrimination, and was always prepared to punish the
indiscreet disciple who should fail in any point,
either of
deference or respect;
or betrayed any symptoms of dread
or irresolution.
59 The bewailings for the loss of Sita then began. The
aspirant was passed through seven60 ranges of dark61 and
68 It is no uncommon thing to read in the Puranas, and other
writings, of a religious ascetic, who has attained the high distinction
of Brahma's blessing, by the performance of the prescribed observances,
tyranizing over the whole host of deities, and commanding them
to perform the most menial services to gratify his curiosity, or to
amuse his imagination. These austerities do not necessarily include
the practice of morality; for the Hindoos hold that though they live
in the habitual commission of every known sin throughout the whole
period of their lives, yet if they are able to repeat the name of a god
with their dying lips, it is a certain passport to heaven. Mr. Ward,
(View of the Hindoos, b. i., c. 2, 11,) says, "A Hindoo shopkeeper
one day declared to the author, that he should live in the practice of
adultery, lying, &c., till death ; and that then repeating the name
Krishnu, he should without difficulty ascend to heaven!" How nearly
allied is this to the creed of some Christian sects.
59 In some of these celebrations, the death of Cama was lamented
with solemn dirges and bewailings. This god, who was the Cupid of
Hindoostan, is said to have been slain by Iswara, and committed to
the waves inclosed in a chest, like the Grecian Bacchus, and the
Egyptian Osiris. The chest was swallowed by a fish, which being
caught, the infant was taken from its entrails, and nurtured by Reti,
fee. (Asiat. Res., vol. iii., p. 187.)
60 Niebuhr. Voy. in Arab., torn, ii., p. 28.
61 Maur. Ind. Ant, vol. v., p. 274.