A Hindu ascetic, or holy man: seated in the lotus position on a leopard skin, with withered arms raised above his head. Coloured stipple engraving, 1814.

1880

Lettering: A faquir. Effects of Hindú superstition. Lettering continues: A faquir or devotee, drawn from the life in the act of religious penance, holding his hands over his head, until the circulation of the blood has ceased, and the arms have become withered, inflexible and devoid of sensation. The professed object of this self inflicted torture, which is sometimes continued for twelve years, is to propitiate the deity. "Go Christian missionary, open the eyes of these infatuated men; reveal to them the God of mercy, who delights not in the sufferings of his creatures, and is the reconciled Father of all, who approach him thro' the Son of His love"