Storia do Mogor 248.5

248.5

He knew that in a neighbouring desert there dwelt many ascetic Brahmans, and by magic arts he filled their wives with concupiscence ; then, appearing at that spot all naked, he asked for alms. The Brahman women quitted their husbands in pursuit of the god, and followed him. Here, where he hoped for the greatest transports, he encountered a still worse cause of chagrin ; for the ascetic Brahmans, revolting at such treachery, uttered a malediction upon the god. Forthwith he was turned into a eunuch. Unable to remedy his misfortune otherwise, he announced a grant of heavenly glory to whosoever for his love became a eunuch. This several men did forthwith; and not [102] stopping short at the sacrifice thus made, they converted it into an idol, which some hang from their neck, some place on their head, others on their arms. This is called linguon (lingam). Thus does the great god made of stone, besides filling all the temples and all the streets, go about hung to the necks of a sect of men and women called yogueys (yogis). These are the fiercest enemies of God's Law that can be found, extremely degraded and haughty, also the most cowardly people in the world.