The impersonal
absolute spirit, called Brahman in the Upanishads, is thus presented to us in the forms of
these attractive personalities in our Epics and
Puranas. And there is perfect freedom of thought and worship granted to us. It is these
divinities, high and low, installed in our hearts and in our temples that spread their
glory all around-the glory of the one true God-and keep the religion of the Hindus ever in
light, ever in life. In their hands lies the secret of our strength - Strength, which
consists not in mere unity, but unity in variety. They
have brought philosophy from its giddy heights to the home and heart of even the lowest
peasant in the villages of India and made him feel the beauty of holiness. Through song
and legend, through fasts and festivals, they have taught him to admire, even when he
cannot actually possess, the cardinal Hindu virtues of purity and self-control,
renunciation and truth arid, above all, that supreme Hindu virtue of non-violence.
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