Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-07-10
AN EAST INDIANS LECTURE
The Great Religions Of India = -Four
castas- Christianity superstltiona

The Great Religions Of India = -Four
castes-- Christianity snperstitions.
lHacratnento (cal) Bea1
The opening lecture under the auspices
of the California Museum association
was given by Gopal Vinayak Joshee, the
HiDdoo and repnted Brahmin, who for
some days past has been in Sacramento.
Joshee appeared in the East Indian cos
tune of snow white turban, long,
close-ftting blouse Of blue cloth reach.
ing almost to the knees, wide, flowing
trousers also Of white, and heelless slip
pers, turned up at the toe
The great religions of India were re-
ferred to: Brahminism existing from
time beyond history; Buddhism, 1900
years old; Christianity, 1900 years old;
and Mohammedanism, 1900 years old.
The latter two were termed theroligions
of destruction; the former two, the re-
ligions of construction. Brahminism
and Christianity were compared, and to
the great disadvantage of the latter.
BrahminiSTn held animal life as sacred;
no Brahmin was allowed to shed any
ones blood, and for that reason must
not eat meat. 1t tolerated all religions.
Christianity was bloodthirsty and spread
its teachings with fire and sword. chris
tian nations early familiarized their in
nocent children with scenes of bloodshed
by exposing the carcasses Of beef upon
the public street.
In India there are four great oastes.
First The Brahmins, who never take
life, and, even to save their own, must
not offer more than passive resistance.
They are typifed by the COW, most hon
ored and useful Of the brute creation.
They are the teachers and missionaries
Seeond--The warriors, who are the only
ones licensed to shed blood, and they
must do 1t only In the defense of their
country and in protection of the other
castles They are typifed by the wild
beasts.
Third The merchants and traders,
selfish, living for themselves. They
represent capital, and are typifed by
cats, the most selfish of creatures.
Fourth and lowest The unfeeling Ia
borers, typifed by rats.
The castles are mutually dependent
on each other. The Brahmin brings
down the blessings of heaven on all
classes, and lives on the charity OF all.
The warrior protects the others from
earthly foes, and is supported by the
lower castles. The merchant and laborel
are dependent eheeeA other and also
on the two higher castles. Christian
countries have TRagl Estes possibly,
but they are all bIao q alid might
be classified as f6W6aM Nagaike mis-.
;o,,o,;o n ,,,,o.l;,SE 49,, ia ". ,,-,,,l;l-,
traders and warliEela b6rss
The Hindoos, according TO MS state
nlents, are most superstitious race
They do nothing until the planets haw
been consulted, and will abandon every
enterprise and business when half com
pleted if the auguries are unfavorable
If the breath blows stronger through
one nostril than through another, il
means disaster, and the Hindoo wht
feels it will Immediately turn on thu
street and 60 home The same if CA
crosses hisspath, or the air ceases tx
move through his hand as he walks
There are certain unlucky days wheI
the Hindoo must not see the sun no.
moon, certain others on which he mus
not write, others when he must neither
eat nor drink, still others when ne car
eat of certain things only.
The Brahmin God is a stern and un
relenting God. He claims every minut,
of his creatures time, and if it is no
freely given woe betide the offender, H,
is not satisfied to have his creatures 90
cupy themselves with their own bust
ness and pleasure six days in the week
and accord him few hours of praise OF
the seventh. When the elements an,
the animals of the fields intimate tn
Creators desires or displeasure, th
creature must at once do that which tn
signs command.