tform. There was a rush for the carriages, and before they could make their way to a first-class smoker, every seat was occupied. A number

as this has been sent off. There w

d conversation was possible. The Englishman alone smoked. To the high-caste Hindu the replacing of the cigar in the mouth after

e man being dead?" said Ananda, as the

it out as a reason for stopping all further aviation. The competitions were over, and the pr

o it, I heard,"

ed to take such a risk," said Wenaston. "It is waste of l

peated Ananda slowly, his drea

ng. I meant the life after death," re

trans-migration is not one of your doctr

future-in a

onality-that you can retain the ego that is in y

What is your belief?" asked Wenaston, turning the conversation on to Hinduism. Before

ession of rebirths on this earth w

mara explained thinking that th

ngs, the Spirit that your Bible says brooded on the

itive happiness in such a

y n

ess if you are impersonal yourself an

ot enjoy a state or condition of ha

sonality and exercise of the Divine will; and turned the con

or, you would die in the comfortable assurance th

faces did not confirm this idea. Coomara's eyes were averted, but Ananda's were fixed upon the speaker; and in their depths lurked a shadow of fear that Wenaston could not fathom. He turne

s is not a shower," he remarked, as he dr

subject had no effect on him. On the contrary, Wenaston th

ment of everlasting happiness would by no means fall to our lot, I am afrai

ll to fear," re

in our transmigration doctrine. Rebirth on earth as some inferior creature is our hell; existence as a hor

ery joy of life. His sensitive nature revolted against the thought of the indignities and sufferings such a birth must involve. Coomara's fatalism saved him in some degree from the dread that overwhelmed Ananda. If he were destined to a

nds appalling," c

the fate believed by Christians to be the portion of ma

never to offend your De

h or an out-caste; but if the victim of my enmity happened to be a Brahman, the aspect of the deed would be utterly changed. The sin woul

aston lightly, and with the design of dissipating a little of t

It was evident that so serious a subje

the law-giver, himself defines sin in clear, unmistakeable terms. We can transgress by neglecting to read the Vedas; by falling away from prescribed customs; by remissness in the performance of holy rites

aw-giver. All you have to do is to take care not to break your rul

s an educationalist. Without any intention of proselytising it came naturally to him to combat beliefs that he considered to be obsolete and obstructive to progress of thought. He had started the conversation simply to pass the time as they travelled. He continu

, and broken them badly. The journey to Englan

a; but every day that was passed in the foreign country was a continuance of sin. The sense of sin lay heavy on his conscience and at times weighed him down to the verge of nervous melancholy. Under its influ

ltogether for want of the necessary accessories-the metal image, the rice, camphor, sugar and ghee. In the matter of diet there was dire offence in the preparation of his food

hat suspicion. They were as happy as they appeared to be, he was told. Their creed reassured them and banished fear. Christ, their great teacher, had given them definite promises in the Gospels that left them in no uncertainty. The way was easy for any one who chose to follow it, and no man could complain that he was driven against his will into a state of sin and offence equivalent to that which troub

nts sent you to England without consulting your wishes. Do you really believe t

en the offence is wiped out by propitiatory ceremon

e before your r

ed; but we hope to escape such a catastrophe and to return safel

ent Deity can order a weary round of innumerable re-births in a lower instead of a higher existence, and condemn men to undergo this penance for deeds in which there is no evil intention; deeds for which they themselves are not responsibl

to the opposite corner near the other window. It was his method of showing that he did not wish to take any further part in the conversation. Bopaul was eager to continue it,

nnot credit them with faith in such a theory. To begin with, extinction is not possible to the human understanding. The scientist pronounces extinction to be unknown with matter. There is mutation, disintegration, but never extinction. We have every reason to believe that the spiritual law f

one side, throwing its occupants forward with great violence. A moment later a steel

rner where he had just settled himself. Before he could strug

s fragile body; Coomara the orthodox went to meet his fate, whatever it might be; the relentless cycle