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VISHNU'S SCHEME FOR REDEMPTION
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sufferings and do nothing to help them
Cannot I give them
some means of avoiding them in the future
Thereupon he considered how he might bring the reign
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Man of Sin to an end, he being the sole cause of all
mankind's misfortune. Accordingly, to preserve henceforth
the human race from the torments of Naraka, he transformed
himself into the Eka-dasi, or eleventh day of the moon. This
is, therefore, the blessed day that Vishnu has selected in
his mercy to redeem and save mankind.
It is the happy
day that procures the pardon of one's sins it is the day of
days, since one must look upon it as being Krishna himself.
of the
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The inhabitants of Hell, full of gratitude for the kindness
that Vishnu had showed towards them, worshipped him
and chanted his praises loudly. Thereupon Vishnu, being
much pleased by their prayers and praises, wished to give
them an immediate proof of his goodness. Turning to the
Man of Sin,' he addressed him in the following words
Begone, wretched being, begone
Thy reign is over.
Till now thou hast been the tormentor of mankind
I com-
mand thee to let them live in peace for the future. They
are my children, and I desire them to be happy.
I wish,
nevertheless, to assign to thee a place where thou mayest
live, but thy place shall be unique
it shall be here.
The
Eka-dasi, or eleventh day of the moon, is myself in another
form.
It is the day that I have chosen, in my mercy, to
save men and deliver them from their sins. Nevertheless,
in order that they may be worthy of so great a favour, I ex-
pressly forbid them to eat rice on this day.
I ordain that
thou shalt dwell in this rice. This is the abode that I assign
to thee.
Whoever shall have the temerity to eat this food,
thus defiled by thy presence, will incorporate thee with
himself, and will forfeit all hope of pardon.'
Thus spake Vishnu and the following is the sentence of
life and death which he pronounced, and which cannot be
too strongly impressed on the attention of mankind
I repeat, therefore, again, because I cannot say it too
often
Do not eat rice on that day whoever you are, be
your position and condition what they may, do not eat rice.
Once more I say, do not eat rice.'
To fast on this holy day and to offer puja to Vishnu is to
ensure the forgiveness of sins and the gratification of all one's
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