Hinduism / by Monier Williams.

  • Monier Monier-Williams
Date:
1877
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hinduism / by Monier Williams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    His soul with the Supreme, is like a flame That flickers not when sheltered from the wind. In the second division of this poem the pantheistic doctrines of the Vedanta are more directly inculcated than in the other sections. Krishna here, in the plainest language, claims adoration as one with the great universal spirit, pervading and constituting the universe. The following are portions from different parts of this section : Whate’er thou dost perform, whate’er thou eatest, Whate’er thou givest to the poor, whate’er Thou offerest in sacrifice, whate’er Thou doest as an acf of holy penance, Do all as if to me, O Arjuna (IX. 27).1 I am the ancient Sage, without beginning, I am the Ruler a^jd the All-sustainer, I am incomprehensible in form, More subtle and minute than subtlest atoms ; I am the cause of the whole universe ; 1 Compare 1 Cor. x. 31 : ‘ Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ Dr. Lorinser, expanding the views of Professor Weber and others concerning the influence of Christianity on the legends of Krishna, thinks that many of the sentiments of the Bhagavad-gita have been directly borrowed from the New Testament, copies of which, he thinks, found their way into India about the third century, when he believes the poem to have been written. He even adopts the theory of a parallel in the names of Christ and Krishna. He does not, however, sufficiently bear in mind that fragments of truth are to be found in all religious systems, how- ever false, and that the Bible, though a true revelation, is still, in regard to the human mind, through which the thoughts are transfused, a thoroughly Oriental book, cast in an Oriental mould, and full of Oriental ideas and expressions. Some of his comparisons seem mere coincidences of language, which might occur independently. Nevertheless, something may be said for Dr. Lorinser’s theory. His German translation (1869) is rich in notes, pointing out parallels. See also the ‘ Indian Antiquary ’ for October, 1873.
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