A DESCRIPTION OF CHANDODE;
THE PECULIAR SANCTITY OF THE HINDO0 TEMPLES, GROVES, AND LAKES, IN THAT DISTRICT; AND A COMPARISON
BETWEEN THE RELIGIOUS TENETS OF THE
BRAHMINS, AND THE SUBLIME
"From whence the progress of the Sage's mind,
Beyond the bounds by Nature's laws assign'd?
Whence, every form of vulgar sense o'erthrown,
Soars the rapt thought, and rests on God alone?
Perhaps, by smooth gradations, to this end
All systems of belief unconscious tend,
That teach the infinite of nature swarms
With gods subordinate through endless forms,
And every object, useful, bright, malign,
Of some peculiar is the care, or shrine.
Ask the poor Hindoo if material things
Exist: he answers, their existence springs
From Mind within, that prompts, protects, provides,
And moulds their beauties, or their terrrors guides.
Blooms the red flow'ret? Durva blushes there.
Flash lightnings fierce? dread Indra fills the air.
The morning wakes, or high the white wave swells,
That Surya brightens, Ganga this impells.
Thus in each part of this material scene,
He owns that matter leans on Mind unseen;
And in each object views some God pourtray'd,
This all in all, and that but empty shade!"