2023-08-17 01:53:29 by ambuda-bot
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OF CULTURE
24840
GOVERNMENT OF
STANDA
FOREWORD
occasion as it is gay or grave, from the
lighter and swift moving measure of the
madrigal and the pastoral song to the
slow and solemn measure of the hymn.
There is a solemnity and grandeur in the
devotional songs which attunes the mind
to the high theme. It is a poem to suit
different modes and emotions, the mood
of adoration or worship, or sorrow or joy,
of peace and tranquillity, of discontent
with the things of the world and a desire
for freedom from its trammels, of humility
and regret over wasted opportunities for
salvation,
perplexity about the
of
mysteries of the universe and the ways of
God or of passionate yearning for union
with God. While the Western mind
prefers to contemplate God in the role of
law-giver, a judge or a friend, the Hindu
mind prefers to dwell upon the concep-
tion of God in His incarnation as a child,
a son, a lover, a hero, a guide and
counsellor, a protector of the oppressed
and the humble and the pure in heart,
and a saviour. This is the secret of the
special charm of the Krishna Avatara.
The virtues ascribed by the author to
the Deity may sometimes appear to be
carried to extremes. Like the God of the
Israelites, the God of the Hindus is
described as partial to the Devas or Suras
who are His chosen people. This
favouritism is unaccountable in view of
24840
GOVERNMENT OF
STANDA
FOREWORD
occasion as it is gay or grave, from the
lighter and swift moving measure of the
madrigal and the pastoral song to the
slow and solemn measure of the hymn.
There is a solemnity and grandeur in the
devotional songs which attunes the mind
to the high theme. It is a poem to suit
different modes and emotions, the mood
of adoration or worship, or sorrow or joy,
of peace and tranquillity, of discontent
with the things of the world and a desire
for freedom from its trammels, of humility
and regret over wasted opportunities for
salvation,
perplexity about the
of
mysteries of the universe and the ways of
God or of passionate yearning for union
with God. While the Western mind
prefers to contemplate God in the role of
law-giver, a judge or a friend, the Hindu
mind prefers to dwell upon the concep-
tion of God in His incarnation as a child,
a son, a lover, a hero, a guide and
counsellor, a protector of the oppressed
and the humble and the pure in heart,
and a saviour. This is the secret of the
special charm of the Krishna Avatara.
The virtues ascribed by the author to
the Deity may sometimes appear to be
carried to extremes. Like the God of the
Israelites, the God of the Hindus is
described as partial to the Devas or Suras
who are His chosen people. This
favouritism is unaccountable in view of