their wants. They declare that their creditors refuse to set the gods at
liberty, until the money with the interest is paid. The people, seeing
the deplorable condition into which they have been brought, come forward
and pay off the debt; when the chains are taken off, and the god is set
at liberty.

Another way in which the Brahmins sometimes deceive the people, is as
follows. They say that the god is afflicted with some dreadful disease,
brought on by the distress which he has had, because the people do not
worship him as much as they should. In such cases, the idol is sometimes
placed at the door of the temple where they rub his forehead and temples
with various kinds of medicine. They also set before him all sorts of
medicines, pretending in this way to do all they can to cure him. But as
all their efforts prove to be vain, and the disease becomes worse, the
Brahmins send out persons to tell the sad news. The people, believing
the report, hasten to bring in their gifts and offerings. The god, on
beholding such proofs of their attachment to him, feels himself cured of
his disease, and immediately returns to his throne within the temple.

The Brahmins use another kind of deception, in order to procure
offerings for the temples. They declare that their gods are angry with
certain individuals who have offended them, and that they have sent some
evil spirit or devil to take possession of their bodies and torment
them. Accordingly, persons appear wandering about in different parts of
the country, showing, by their dreadful convulsions, their writhings
and twistings, every symptom of being possessed with the devil. The
people who see them are filled with dismay, fall down before them, and
offer gifts and sacrifices, for fear of being injured by them. Whatever
they ask is granted. The people give them to eat and drink abundantly;
and when they leave a place, accompany them with instruments of music,