In order to induce them to make such offerings, the Brahmins
use all kinds of deception. Sometimes they will put their idols in
irons, chaining their hands and feet. They exhibit them in this sad
condition, declaring that they have been brought into it by creditors
from whom their gods had to borrow money, in times of trouble, to supply
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.
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