Storia do Mogor 281.22.5

281.22.5

The reverend fathers, to whom I return, are not satisfied with imitating these idolaters in their processions ; they have gone farther, for they have forced the Christians to make use of certain ashes made of cow-dung. This product is much revered by Hindus, and for this reason they call it ' holy ashes.' They attribute to it various virtues which I will not detail, since I have spoken of them before (III. 114 ; IV. 66). Suffice it to say that their reverences not only approve of, but insist upon, their disciples making use of these ashes just as the idolaters do. All the same, it is necessary for me to add that these holy men observe great precautions against any accusation of indifference or weakness they might be reproached with in regard to Hindu superstitions. The fathers see that when the Christians go to the market to buy the ashes (where they are ordinarily on sale) their blessing is said over them before the converts use them. To this may be added that when anyone is to use the ashes, the fathers take the express precaution of forbidding the invocation of any false god, as is done by Hindus [69]. Still, that does not hinder the Hindus from seeing these Christians displaying these ashes just in the way they do themselves, and thus they really believe them to be of their religion and to hold the same opinions as themselves.