“Garuda Purana”: a sacred text of Hinduism
that is usually recited during the cremation of the dead, states
that all women, regardless of the caste they belong to, owe it
to be burned alive after the death of their husband.
This custom is called “sati”. Exceptions
include pregnant women and the mothers of young children. If
they do not submit to the custom, they will be punished and
continue to be reborn as women until they do submit.
(Garuda Purana II 4:91-100).
“Adorned
with fine jewelry, without tears, free of sorrow, they
(the widows) should
jump into the funeral pyre where he (the deceased
husband) lies.”
(Righ Veda X 18:7)
“It is the
highest obligation for a wife to kill herself after her husband.“
(Brahma Purana LXXX, 75).
“The sati
is blessed by the Vedas” (Brahma Purana LXXX,75)
«The
sati is renowned in every world.»
(Brahma Purana LXXX, 75)
“The
eight queens of Krishna
(incarnations of the false god Vishnu),
all of which
have
been named, along with Rukmini as leader, embraced the corpse of
Hare (namely Krishna)
and got into the funeral pyre. Revati, likewise embracing
Rama
(another incarnation of the same false god)
got into the blazing pyre, which seemed dewy to her because she
was happy to be with her master. Hearing of these events,
Ugrasena and Anakadundubhi, together with Devaki and Rohini,
surrendered themselves to the flames.”
(Vishnu Purana V38)
“If
the husband of a woman dies, let her live in celibacy, or else
place herself in the funeral pyre (obviously
contrary to her will).”
(Vishnu Smirti XXV,
14)
The Arab Alberuni
mentions that: “The widow has
the obligation to choose between two things: either to remain a
widow for the rest of her life, or be burnt alive. As for the
wives of Kings, they are burnt, whether they want to or not.”
(11,69).
“The
wife, when her husband dies, must give her consent to be burnt
alive on her husband’s funeral pyre.” (Abbe J.A.
Du Bois, Hindu Customs, Manners and Ceremonies, Oxford, 1906
p.345).
Unfortunately, faithful Hindus
still
observe this custom. In 1990, more than
50
widows
were burnt alive for the sake of this custom!!!
(Sonali Verma,
Reuter, 12 August 1997, New Delhi)
So, is Hindu
philosophy really that awesome after all? And is its
spirituality truly more advanced by comparison? Unfortunately,
in our day and age, there are many naïve people who are under
this impression…May God enlighten us… As for the social
oppression that the social strata are subjected to by this
inhuman Hindu teaching, you will find relative information in
the following links:
http://www.forerunner.com/champion/X0040_Massacre_of_Innocenc.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/013/15.22.html
http://religion-cults.com/Eastern/Hinduism/hindu11.htm
http://www.lotussculpture.com/kali.htm