1862.] The CMrvaka System of Philosophy, 385 



One side of an alternative must come to pass, — so when the desire is fulfilled 

 The cheats say their mantras were the cause, which in case of failure were not 



rightly performed.* 

 If He alone by the sins of all is already plunged into infinite suffering, t 

 Then, timid one, how can this revealed Soul feel any new burden through sin of 



thine ? 

 Of what use is a flower plucked from its stalk ? only when growing thereon does it 



bring forth fruit ; 

 If thou woulcl'st place it on the head of a stone, as identical with deity,J then why 



not place it at once on thine own ? 

 Fling away like empty chaff thy bitter speeches against women, — 

 Why longer deceive the world, when thou thyself art equally depraved? 

 Follow the commands of Kamadeva, which even Brahma aiujl the rest did not 



The Veda is the command of the gods, and what command more authoritative 

 than his ? 



If you allow that a part of the Veda is only idle repetition, § 



Then by what ill-fortune do you hold it not of those parts which inflict toil and 

 expense ? 



Ye believe the authority of the Veda, stout-hearted champions in Vaidic discus- 

 sions, 



And yet, bewildered as ye are, yourselves pronounce interpolated the passage 

 that enjoins the gift of the elephant tied to the post. 



The Vaidic passage which says, "Who knoweth what is in the other world," 



By that very authority how can one accept another world at all? 



Manu, — talking of merit and demerit, the one impossible to be gained as the 

 other to be avoided, 



And seeking under the pretext to mulct mankind, — has been idly followed by the 

 learned. 



( Verily by the words of Vyasa comes faith in another world,' thus ye say, logi- 

 cians as ye are ; 



O ye disciples of the fish, who would deign even to call you fishes ? 



That Vyasa of yours, the Court poet of the Pandavas, well versed in the syco- 

 phant's art, 



When was he ever known to speak a contrary word, if his patrons either 

 praised or blamed ? 



Did not Vyasa through passion commit adultery with his brother's wife ? 



# Cf. the Bengali proverb, 'STtTfa "^t^S"^ "t ^8 CvSftTfa 3?*^. 

 + Alluding to the Vedantic doctrine that all are Brahma. 



X L e. as the S'alagram, &c, as identical witli Vishnu, &c. I would read in the 

 second line t^sjffy. 



§ Alluding to the artluwdda as distinguished from the vidhi. 



