Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 184

THE SAM-KALPA
144
to make the rest of this book intelligible, to begin by giving
an explanation of certain terms pertaining to these cere-
monies, and also a short summary of the chief objects
aimed at. This sketch will suffice to indicate the peculiar
tastes and inclinations of the Brahmins, and will no doubt
my readers to inquire how these men were able to
impose so many extravagant absurdities on a people whose
civilization dates from such very ancient times, and yet to
cause
retain their full confidence.
The Sam-kalpa.
ceremony amongst the Brahmins
the sam-kalpa, which means literally intensive contem-
plation
This method of mental preparation must in no instance
be omitted before any religious ceremony of the Brahmins.
When the sam-kalpa has been performed with due medita-
but its
tion, everything that they undertake will succeed
omission is alone sufficient to transform all the ceremonies
that follow into so many acts of sacrilege which will not
pass unpunished. The Brahmin must meditate prelimi-
narily on the following points.
He must think
1. Of Vishnu, meditating upon him as the ruler and
preserver of this vast universe, as the author and giver of
all good things, and as he who brings all undertakings to
a successful issue. With these thoughts in his mind he
repeats thrice the name of Vishnu, and worships him.
He must remember that
2. He must think of Brahma.
there are nine Brahmas, who created the eight million four
hundred thousand kinds of living creatures, of which the
most important is man that it is the first of these Brahmas
who is ruling at the present time that he will live for
a hundred years of the gods -
that his life is divided into
four parts, of which the first and half the second are already
He must then worship him.
gone.
3. He must think of the Avatara, or incarnation, of
Vishnu in the form of a white pig, which was the shape in
The
chief preparatory
'
is
V
;
;
;
;
Sam-kalpa literally means resolve of the mind, will, purpose, definite
intention, determination, desire.
It is no ceremony in itself, but is
a prelude to every ceremony.
Ed.
-
Each day, according to the reckoning of the gods, is as long as
several milliards of years.
Dubois.
1