aroundworldortra00peebiala-1

240 AEOrND THE WOELD.
" As the earth supports those who trample it under foot,
and rend its bosom with the plow, so should we return
good for evilJ"
" The virtuous man is like the gigantic banyan-tree,
whose beneficent shade affords freshness and life to the
plants that surround it."
Brahmans further believe the soul emanating from Brahm
to be divine and immortal ; and, as it was given pure from
all stain, it can not re-ascend to the celestial abode till" it
shall have been purified from all faults committed through
its union with matter. They teach universal charity, —teach
that self should be secondary, and that selfishness leads to
hells and re-births ; while happiness and ultimate redemption
come through purity and entire self-renunciation.
Benevolence and good deeds lead to homes among the gods.
Some of the Vedic " hymns are addressed to deified
men who had attained their divinity through beneficent
work." Other of these ancient hymns treat of charity and
good works as means of salvation. Listen —
:
" He who keeps his food to himself has his sin to himself
also."
"He who gives alms goes to the highest heavens, — goes
to the gods."
" To be kind to the poor is to be greater than the greatest
there."
" Mortal life ended, go thou home to the fathers, and, if
thou hast deserved it, dwell in a shining body with the
gods."