New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-10-28
A HINDoo DEFENDS THE CANOES.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Will you kindly permit me. through the
medium Of your widely circulated paper, to express
on behalf Of the Hfndoos my thoughts in defense
Of the editorial charge. made by well known
Christian? On Monday last when I was busy In
my study in the Public Free Library here usual
got a copy of The American Review of Reviews
edited by Mr.. Albert Shaw. for the month Of August
On finding the cover paper of the magazine well
colored and many nice illustrations therein, I was
glad to extent But noticing the subject
under the head "A Defense Of the Ganges, on
pages 1884. my heart turned into sorrow, as
found the ma gazine than the apple Of
Sodorn. At that time intended request the edi-
tor some time publish my views in the next issue
of his magazine, but finding the flower Of the glory
of the marvellous and mighty CIanges River and
golden principle Of the Hindoos being trampled so
careessly under the feet Of Christians ignorance
and unfaniartty of Hindoo customs, I cannot wait
for the next issue of the magazine. and taking the
pen Of truth weapon in my hand. dare to
enter the arena Of writer's discharge the duties
naturally entrusted TO me by my nation.
Mr.. Shaw writes that the Hndoos cast their dead
bodies IN the Canges. battle in It, and very fond
of taking water from it 70 their distant homes
to give TO their relatives drink If such things
occur in the Hudson Mississippi Missouri rivers.
then the inha bants of this country like to
the water OF these rivers for drinking and cooking
purposes. At this time I well remember Hndoo
saying and Persian saying said by Shaikh Saadi
the best Persian poet Of his time, the translation OF
which I write after another o. There Is a
great difference between Bhoj and the poor oil man
Bhoi was pious and able ruler in India in an
cient time and during his rule there was poor.
wretched oil man ca There is a great difference
between pious. learned man and dirt.
think Mr.. Shaw IS unfamiliar with the golden
principle Of the Hindoos-"the burning Of the dead
bodies"-Europeans and Americans. If not. IN
doubtedy he forgot the principle at the time Of
writing the subject in question.
The Hindoos after burning their dead bodies cast
only their bones and teeth in the Ganges which
refine its water The xater Of the Ganges is nat
ursllv very pure and cold. as 1t comes down from
the snowy bed of the Hymalia, the highest mountain
IN the world. OF course it Is made somewhat dirty
by bathing of numerous pilgrims. but II is purified
by the bones and teeth, the and the wind, and
the fishes and animals. that is. by scavengers
of three kinds, which always at work The
water which is taken by the pilgrims 70 distant
towns and cities for drinking purposes is taken
from the Ganges only the city Of HardOzvar,
where the Hindoos cast bones and teeth and where
no one catches fishes. After being taken from the
Gauges the water never gets polluted for
years and kills the cholera germs at the rate Of
million in six hours. While the other hand, the
water OF the American rivers naturally is not
so good as that of the Ganges. In spite Of this,
every day large quantity of dirt Is put into them
by the stsa ners while there Is way to take Il
away OF course, great care is taken in catching
the scaven gers-the fishes
dare say that Mr. Shaw never in his whole life
by the pilgrims I do not know how he criticzes
the Hndoos and finds fault with them in drinking
the water made impure by bathing, when, being
flesh eater. every day he eats animal sweat mixed
with flesh and bones.
Further, he writes that the educated Hindoos
follow this custom Has he forgotten the fol-
lowers Of the and well admirers OF the
Ganges-educated Saanis. Waweka. Nand and Ram
Tirath, who made the Americans much astonished
at their virtues and lectures delivered IN this
try7 If Mr. Shaw desires another meaning from
the word educated request him 70 define the word
educated fully he in his own magazine.
conclusion request ali the readers OF this letter
that what have written. I have written only to
bring the matter light and have not written 10
injure the feelings Of worthy and well known edI-
tor I always keep in nv mind the words that the
who splits and throws dust towards the sky
receives the result his folly the very time.
Praying to God to lead TO the right path and
waiting for the publication OF the letter yours very
truly HARCHARAN SINGH
New Brunswick, n. j, Oct 1s, 1908.