Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 213

CONTENTS OF THE VEDAS
Pailada, the Big-Veda
Jaimini,
Angirasa, the Atharva-Veda \
;
the
Sama-Veda
173
;
and
But let it not be imagined for one moment that these
books contain matter of much interest. Their antiquity
alone, real or pretended, is their sole recommendation.
A
lengthy exposition of Hindu polytheism as it existed origin-
ally, the most contemptible and ridiculous stories concern-
ing the fanciful penances to which their hermits subjected
themselves, the metamorphosis of Vishnu, the disgusting
lingam, &c.
such are, according to the evidence which
I have acquired, more or less an epitome of the contents
of these books, of which the Brahmins make such a great
mystery 2
The fourth of these books, the Atharva-Veda, is the
most baneful work of all in the hands of a people already
given over to the grossest superstition. It is a sort of
conjuring book, professing to teach the magic art of
injuring by means of spells and enchantments.
Bloody
sacrifices are also ordained in it.
It is from these bo