The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

IN HINDOOSTAN. 41
introduced into the presence of the holy Altar, he was
told that " whatever is performed without faith, whether
it be sacrifices, deeds of charity, or mortifications of the
flesh, is not for this world or that which is above;" 79
and was strictly admonished against the commission of
five crimes, which were prohibited under heavy penalties
in this life, and punished with eternal vengeance in the
next. And these particulars form a part of the Oath
under which he was now solemnly bound and ; he seals
it by a sacred ablution. 80
The awful moment was now arrived when the ceremony
of initiation had attained its highest degree of
interest; the pealing Conch was blown, 81
the folding
doors were suddenly thrown open, and the candidate was
introduced into Cailasa or Paradise, 82 which was a
spacious
lights;
apartment blazing with a thousand brilliant
83 ornamented with statues and emblematical
figures, scented with the rich fragrance of odorous flowers,
84 aromatic gums, and costly drugs decorated ;
profusely
85 with gems and jewels; the unsubstantial figures of the
airy inhabitants of unknown worlds carved on the roof,
in the act of volitation; and the splendid sacellum
precipitation from the hated spot, and take refuge in deep caves and
inaccessible recesses, to avoid a sensation at which their nature
revolted. (Sacontala. Translated by Sir W. Jones. Works, vol.
vi.)
The Christians of this country, before the Eeformation, were addictto
the same superstition.
79
Bhagvat Geeta, p. 123.
80 The terms of this oath are curious. He swears, in addition to the
usual points relating to secrecy, that he will never have any carnal
knowledge of his mother, sister, or daughter, but will always extend
his protection towards them that he will not assassinate a ;
Brahmin,
or rob him of gold or other property, but rather relieve him ; that he
will not be addicted to intemperance in eating or drinking and ; that
ho will not associate with any person who has polluted himself by the
commission of these crimes.
81
Vid. Bhagvat Geeta, p. 29. Facts in natural history were made
subservient to the purposes of superstition. This sacred Shell, which
had nine valves, or foldings, was referred to the nine incarnations of
Vishnu. (Maur. Ind. Ant., vol. v., p. 906.)
82 This was the actual name of one the grottoes in the subterranean
temple of Elora, and is supposed by Faber (Pag. Idol., vol. iii., p.
255.) to have been the illuminated sacellum into which the aspirant
was introduced at the close of his initiation.
83 Maur. Ind. Ant., vol. ii., p. 281.
84 Ibid. vol. v., p. 897.
^Philost. in vit. Apollon., 1. ii., p. 2.