Mr. Culebrooke on the Philosophy of the Hindus. 29 



depart from him :"* meaning good works as well as misdeeds ; for the con- 

 finement of fetters is the same, whether the chain be of gold or iron.'t 



' But only such antecedent sin and virtue are annulled, as had not begun 

 to have effect : for their influence lasts until his deliverance, and then does 

 he merge in the supreme BiiAHiiE.t Those which were in operation are not 

 annulled, as the arrow, which has been shot, completes its flight, nor falls 

 till its speed is spent ; and the potter's wheel, once set in motion, whirls 

 till the velocity which has been communicated to it is exhausted.' 



' However, the maintenance of a perpetual fire, and certain other reli- 

 gious observances enjoined as conducive to the same end, are not rendered 

 inefficacious ;§ for it is declared that " Brdhmanas seek divine knowledge 

 by holy study, sacrifice, liberality, and devotion :"|| and according to some 

 s'dc'has % of the veda, other merits remain likewise effectual ; for sons 

 succeed to the inheritance of their father's works ; the affectionate share 

 his good deeds ; and the malignant participate of his ill actions." These 

 sacrificial observances may be such as are conjoined with devout exercises, 

 faith, and pious meditation ; or unattended by those holy practices for 

 attainment of divine knowledge, since they are pronounced most effica- 

 cious when so conjoined, which implies that they are not wholly inope- 

 rative by themselves.'** 



' Having annulled by fruition other works which had begun to have 

 effect, having enjoyed the recompense and suffered the pains of good and 

 bad actions, the possessor of divine knowledge, on demise of the body, 

 proceeds to a reunion with BRAHME.tt 



The fruit of divine knowledge having been shown in the first chapter, 

 the second chapter of this lecture treats of the particular effect of devout 

 exercises joined with appropriate meditation. It chiefly concerns the 

 ascent of the soul, or mode in which it passes from the body. 



' Of a dying person the speech, followed by the rest of the ten exterior 

 faculties (not the corporeal organs themselves;, is absorbed into the mind, 

 for the action of the outer organ ceases before the mind's. This, in like 



* Ch'hiindu<^ya. f Anon. com. |; Br. Sutr. 4. 1. § 11. (S. 15.) Ch'handogija, 



§ Ibid. § 12. (S. 16-17.) || Vrlhad Arayi'i/aca. 



% Snlyuyana. •• Dr. Sutr. 4. 1. § 13. (S. 18.) Ch' hdudogya. 



ff Ibid. § 14. (S. 19.) Ch'hundogya and Vrlhad Aran'yaca. 



