CHAPTER XXVIII. 



A DESCRIPTION OF CHANDODEJ 



THE PECULIAR SANCTITY OF THE HINDOO TEMPLES, GROVES 



AND LAKES, IN THAT DISTRICT; AND A COMPARISON 



BETWEEN THE RELIGIOUS TENETS OF THE 



BRAHMINS, AND THE SUBLIME 



TRUTHS OF CHRISTIANITY. 



1781. 



" From whence the progress of the Sage's mind, 

 Beyond the bounds by Nature's laws assign'd ? 

 Whence, every form of vulgar sense o'erthrown, 

 Soars the rapt thought, and rests on God alone? 



Perhaps, by smooth gradations, to this end 

 All systems of belief unconscious tend, 

 That teach the infinite of nature swarms 

 With gods subordinate through endless forms, 

 And ever}' object, useful, bright, malign, 

 Of some peculiar is the care, or shrine. 



Ask the poor Hindoo if material things 

 Exist : he answers, their existence springs 

 From Mind within, that prompts, protects, provides, 

 And moulds their beauties, or their terrors guides. 

 Blooms the red flow'ret? Durva blushes there. 

 Flash lightnings fierce? dread Indra fills the air. 

 The morning wakes, or high the white wave swells. 

 That Surya brightens, Ganga this impells. 



Thus in each part of this material scene, 

 He owns that matter leans on Mind unseen j 

 And in each object views some God pourlray'd, 

 This all in all, and that but empty shade !" C. Gkant. 



VOL. III. 







