214 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
taught him to pour ridicule upon the ancient laws and 
observances of his high office; he brought disgrace 
upon the Vedas, as well as upon the servants of the 
gods, by laughing to scorn the forms of devotion 
which they inculcated, and by introducing into our 
holy worship the most blasphemous doctrines, and 
certain impious rites which were the invention of his 
own intoxicated brain. For a time he endeavoured to 
force the practice of these unhallowed things upon 
the priests of the temple, but finding that they were 
ready to oppose his designs, he cried aloud to the 
people to follow him, for that he possessed power 
with the gods to obtain for them every thing which 
they might desire ; at the same time denouncing the 
venerable ordinances of their ancient faith as a tissue 
of ignorance and imposition. 
“ Then, having drawn after him an immense con- 
course of blinded and admiring devotees, he quitted 
the steps of these sacred buildings, and made himself 
a temple within the trunk of yonder hollow tree, 
where he established new ceremonies and preached a 
new doctrine in direct hostility to his former profes- 
sions ; thus devoting to perdition the thousands of 
foolish persons who were won over to his cause by 
the splendour of his promises. 
“ Among many other absurdities practised with a 
view to his own profit, he pretended that the sacrifice of 
a young goat was necessary, every time he had occasion 
to call upon the gods ; and that he might offer such 
