Supplement to a Classical Dictionary of India: Illustrative of the Mythology, Philosophy, Literature, Antiquities, Arts, Manners, Customs &c. of the Hindus

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Higginbotham, 1873 - Hinduism - 160 pages

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Page 53 - Hindoos of every class, one subject of diversion is to send people on errands and expeditions that are to end in disappointment, and raise a laugh at the expense of the person sent.
Page 81 - ... in medicine, as in astronomy, and metaphysics, the Hindus once kept pace with the most enlightened nations of the world ; and that they attained as thorough a proficiency in medicine and surgery, as any people, whose acquisitions are recorded, and as indeed was practicable, before anatomy was made known to us, by the discoveries of modern inquirers.
Page 6 - Various allusions to this attribute occur in poetry. When Indra visits Sita to encourage her, he assumes at her request the marks of divinity — he treads the air, and suspends the motion of the eyelids (Eamayana).
Page 34 - After this ceremony is concluded a bonfire is made on a spot previously prepared, and a sort of Guy Fawkes-like effigy, termed Holika, made of bamboo laths and straw, is formally carried to it and committed to the flames. In villages and small towns the bonfire is public, and is made outside the houses. The figure is conveyed to the spot by Brahmans or Vaishnavas, in regular procession, attended by musicians and singers. Upon their arrival at the spot, the image is placed in the centre of the pile,...
Page 77 - The passion of Malati is equally intense with that of Juliet ; but her unconquerable reserve, even to the extent of denying her utterance to him she loves more than life, is a curious picture of the restraint to which the manners of Hindu women were subjected even whilst they were in enjoyment, as appears from the drama, of considerable personal freedom.
Page 104 - Puri high-road. They march in orderly procession, each party under its spiritual leader. At least five-sixths, and often nine-tenths of them, are females. Now a straggling band of slender, diminutive women, clothed in white muslin, and limping sadly along, announces a pilgrim company from Lower Bengal ; then a joyous retinue with flowing garments of bright red or blue, trudging stoutly forward, their noses pierced with elaborate rings, their faces freely tatooed, and their hands encumbered with bundles...
Page 93 - Shakespeare's days; and although they propose to excite all the emotions of the human breast, terror and pity included, they never effect this object by leaving a painful impression upon the mind of the spectator. The Hindus in fact...
Page 27 - Bhairava, who assume my shape, are pleased a thousand years. An oblation of blood which has been rendered pure by holy texts, is equal to ambrosia ; the head and flesh also afford much delight to Chandika. Blood drawn from the offerer's own body is looked upon as a proper oblation to the goddess Chandika.
Page 35 - An intimate connexion between the idea of dancing and dramatic representation may be observed, and this no doubt subsisted in the classical drama. The dances of the Chorus were no less important than their songs, and the arrangement of the ballet was as much the task of the author as the invention of the plot.
Page 45 - ... our confidence on him ; in enjoying him by devotional meditations and addresses to him ; in a reflective sense of our interest and propriety in him ; in that mysterious union of spirit, whereby we do closely adhere to, and are, as it were, inserted in him ; in a hearty complacence in his benignity, a grateful sense of his kindness, and a zealous desire of yielding some requital for it, we cannot but feel very pleasant transports; indeed, that celestial flame, kindled in our hearts by the spirit...

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