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Article ON THE STUDY OF MASONIC ANTIQUITIES. ← Page 10 of 16 →
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On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
struction intended by this appellation can , with the preceding explanation , be better apprehended . It has been observed , that the three grand phases of Time were represented , or rather indicated , by Brahma , Vishnu , and Siva . Thus it will be perceived that the destructive power exercised by the latter , alludes to the ceaseless system of destruction , change , and reproduction , which , manifested either quickly or more slowlyis nevertheless perceptible in every operation of Nature .
, The three principles represented by Brahma , Vishnu , and Siva , united , formed the grand Trimurti ; and these were at first , as has been observed , regarded as emanating from one Supreme Intelligence . The separate worship of Vishnu and Siva , to the exclusion of Brahma , is of comparatively recent origin in the system of Brahmanism . This . however , has led to the basest and most degrading superstitions . From the junction of the Lingham and Yoni , symbols of Malm Deo ( the " great
God , " ) Siva , " the Changer of Things , " in his generative capacity , and which at first alluded to the union of Light and Chaos , from whence all things were said to proceed , have arisen rites of the most revolting description ; whilst the infatuated worshippers of this deity , from their application to him of the title of Juggut-Nuut , or Jugnilt ( Jagernaut ) , literally , "Lord of the Creation , " continue under this name to profane the destroying power bthe most horrible and sanguinary rites . Indeed
y , the gross fables , the absurd and inapplicable allegories , which in modern times have , for selfish purposes , been engrafted on the ancient Brahminical faith , have rendered the Hindoo mythology both unintelligible and disgusting . Even the profound Idea , the sublime conception of the omnipresence
of the Eternal Deity , has been perverted to an extent which would seem incredible , having originated a pantheon which has been calculated to amount to 330 , 000 , 000 of divinities . Thus every object in creation , as well animate as inanimate—every natural act which a created being is capable of performing—the passions which incite , the motives which induce , and the thoughts which regulate every human act , whether moral , sensual , or intellectual—the changes of times and seasons , and all
the various phenomena of nature , being regarded as emanations or portions of the Supreme Spirit , were capable of conversion into individual deities worthy of external worship ; whilst those objects which from their beauty or grandeur , or the magnificence of their appearance , were more particularly imposing in the works of nature , were conceived to display a more peculiar manifestation of the Divinity . Thus , the sun and the moon—the elements—the midnight heaven , with its starry train—each
bright constellation , and every brilliant star—every statel y rock and lofty mountain—every solemn forest and spreading tree—the gurgling rillthe rippling streamlet—the flashing torrent , and the great river Gangesall became gods in the estimation of this idolatrous people ; and provided they were individually regarded as constituting a portion of the Divine substance , each might be legitimately worshipped as a fragment of the Divine Spirit . In this most complicated system of Pantheism
, we perceive a perversion of some of those sublime ideas which are recorded in the Vedas ; a perversion , however , so complete—a mutation so entire , as ultimately to lose all sight of the ONE Supreme Intelligence , and eventually people the Hindoo mythology with myriads of gods . Surya , or the god of the sun , is worshipped by a distinct sect called Sauras . Agin , the god of fire—Indra , the god of the firmament , and
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Study Of Masonic Antiquities.
struction intended by this appellation can , with the preceding explanation , be better apprehended . It has been observed , that the three grand phases of Time were represented , or rather indicated , by Brahma , Vishnu , and Siva . Thus it will be perceived that the destructive power exercised by the latter , alludes to the ceaseless system of destruction , change , and reproduction , which , manifested either quickly or more slowlyis nevertheless perceptible in every operation of Nature .
, The three principles represented by Brahma , Vishnu , and Siva , united , formed the grand Trimurti ; and these were at first , as has been observed , regarded as emanating from one Supreme Intelligence . The separate worship of Vishnu and Siva , to the exclusion of Brahma , is of comparatively recent origin in the system of Brahmanism . This . however , has led to the basest and most degrading superstitions . From the junction of the Lingham and Yoni , symbols of Malm Deo ( the " great
God , " ) Siva , " the Changer of Things , " in his generative capacity , and which at first alluded to the union of Light and Chaos , from whence all things were said to proceed , have arisen rites of the most revolting description ; whilst the infatuated worshippers of this deity , from their application to him of the title of Juggut-Nuut , or Jugnilt ( Jagernaut ) , literally , "Lord of the Creation , " continue under this name to profane the destroying power bthe most horrible and sanguinary rites . Indeed
y , the gross fables , the absurd and inapplicable allegories , which in modern times have , for selfish purposes , been engrafted on the ancient Brahminical faith , have rendered the Hindoo mythology both unintelligible and disgusting . Even the profound Idea , the sublime conception of the omnipresence
of the Eternal Deity , has been perverted to an extent which would seem incredible , having originated a pantheon which has been calculated to amount to 330 , 000 , 000 of divinities . Thus every object in creation , as well animate as inanimate—every natural act which a created being is capable of performing—the passions which incite , the motives which induce , and the thoughts which regulate every human act , whether moral , sensual , or intellectual—the changes of times and seasons , and all
the various phenomena of nature , being regarded as emanations or portions of the Supreme Spirit , were capable of conversion into individual deities worthy of external worship ; whilst those objects which from their beauty or grandeur , or the magnificence of their appearance , were more particularly imposing in the works of nature , were conceived to display a more peculiar manifestation of the Divinity . Thus , the sun and the moon—the elements—the midnight heaven , with its starry train—each
bright constellation , and every brilliant star—every statel y rock and lofty mountain—every solemn forest and spreading tree—the gurgling rillthe rippling streamlet—the flashing torrent , and the great river Gangesall became gods in the estimation of this idolatrous people ; and provided they were individually regarded as constituting a portion of the Divine substance , each might be legitimately worshipped as a fragment of the Divine Spirit . In this most complicated system of Pantheism
, we perceive a perversion of some of those sublime ideas which are recorded in the Vedas ; a perversion , however , so complete—a mutation so entire , as ultimately to lose all sight of the ONE Supreme Intelligence , and eventually people the Hindoo mythology with myriads of gods . Surya , or the god of the sun , is worshipped by a distinct sect called Sauras . Agin , the god of fire—Indra , the god of the firmament , and