SearchBrowseAboutContactDonate
Page Preview
Page 89
Loading...
Download File
Download File
Page Text
________________ THE FOUNDATIONS OF INDIAN PHILOSOPHY Anyone worshiping one of these minor powers as though it were the highest shares in its weakness and must succumb to him whose superior knowledge of the more comprehensive force has gained unequaled strength for him. “It [the fire) is concealed [in the wind); men do not perceive it. ..." The curse of death is then pronounced for the last time, and this ends the first phase of the charm. But now begins the task of controlling the reverse process: "Thence are these deities born again; from the wind is born the fire [fire being churned by means of a stick twirled in a hole nicked in a board; the stick is of hard wood, the board of softer: the little flame of fire alights on the board-as it were, out of the air); for from breath (prāņa) it is born, being kindled by strength. [The wind in the form of the life-breath-energy (stvenua, spiritus, prāna) within man, joined to bodily strength (bala) through man's exertion during the process of churning, actually produces the fire.] "Having seen it, he should say: 'Let the fire be born; let not my enemy be born; far hence may he hasten away.'” Then the effect: "Far hence he hastens away. "From the fire the sun is born; having seen it, he should say: 'Let the sun be born; let not my enemy be born; far hence may he hasten away.' Far hence he lastens away. "From the sun the moon is born. ..." and when the moon becomes visible, the operator is to pronounce the same charm. "From the moon the rain is born...." The worker of magic watches the lightning as it appears, and again puts the curse upon his rival: “Let not my enemy be born; far hence may he hasten away. Far hence he hastens away. "This is the dying round the holy power. [Its effectiveness is guaranteed by its origin and success; as follows:] Maitreya Kaușārava proclaimed this dying round the holy power to Sutvan Kairići Bhārgāyaṇa. [The first was a priest, the latter a king.] Round him died five kings; then Sutvan attained great 72
SR No.007309
Book TitlePhilosophies of India
Original Sutra AuthorN/A
AuthorHeinrich Zimmer, Joseph Campbell
PublisherRoutledge and Kegan Paul Ltd
Publication Year1953
Total Pages709
LanguageEnglish
ClassificationBook_English
File Size34 MB
Copyright © Jain Education International. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy