১৭৩ LALSLMMLSSLLASASLqLASLSLMLkLSLSMM ALSaS HEHaSkESLLLS SkkSLLLSHAM eASLSkAASLSLSESaaSLkLSEEHHMLSESALA AHSLSLAqASaA SkSEMS kASASHaSkASLSLSLSLLSL qSESEkLSALSLSAASELkSkSSeMAqSAMM with great interest I beg to return it to you with my best thanks. . I quite agree with the Babu's views of the best, if not the only, means of effecting a sound reform of Hinduism. The Hindus must be shown that the present forms of their religion have nothing in common with the Vedic teaching, on which they assume them to be founded; but that they are the work of late ages, of ignorance and an interested priesthood. But to understand this, the Hindus must go back to their ancient Sanskrit leterature of which they have all reason to be proud, they must remove ignorance by dint of hard study. As a long time, however, would be required in working out such a result, I believe that much might be gained by the establishing of religious councils composed of good and learned Hindus in whom the people had confidence and whose exposition of the old doctrine would have weight with them. In former times single individuals like Sankaracharya, effected such reforms by the same means; but as India has at present no man of this stamp, the combined action of several learned men should supply their place. Mere general talking, preaching and moralising, without positive knowledge would have no effect; for, if ignorant or interested priests persuaded the masses that such preaching is not in the spirit of the old religion, they would believe them, and abide by their su perstition S.
