224 , 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
tion of the pure Hindoo creed, which, when divested 
of its corruptions and false glosses, is by no means so 
free from “ spiritual discernment,” as is generally sup- 
posed. Although, perhaps, there is no country in the 
world where religion has been exposed to so many 
gross and monstrous corruptions, there may never- 
theless be found beautiful lessons of wisdom and 
practical virtue even in those Brahminical writings 
which are accessible to Europeans ; while the esoteric 
precepts of such among their sacred books, as are 
sealed to all but the privileged few, are said by learned 
Christians, who have been made acquainted with their 
mysteries, to contain doctrines so pure and wise, as 
to be second only to the oracles of inspiration. 
He could have been no ordinary teacher who wrote 
the following. “ Let the motive be in the deed and 
not in the event. Be not one whose motive for action 
is the hope of reward. Let not thy life be spent in 
inaction. Depend upon application, perform thy duty, 
abandon all thought of the consequence, and make 
the event equal, whether it terminate in good or evil, 
for such an equality is called yog.* Seek an asylum 
then in wisdom alone ; for the miserable and unhappy 
are so on account of the event of things. Men who 
are endued with true wisdom are unmindful of good 
or evil in this world. Study then to obtain this ap- 
plication of thy understanding, for such application in 
business is a precious art.” t Again, “ There is no- 
* A Sanscreet word, which, says Sir Charles Wilkins, we have 
none in our language to express. It is nearly synonymous with 
devotion. 
+ Bhagvat Geeta, Lecture II. 
