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THE VOTIVE OFFERING
To
the gods men throughout the ages have given their lives, their fealty,
and much of their precious wealth. It was true of the Hindus, the
Mohammedans, the Chinese, the Christians, the Jews, the Incas, the
Indians and, to an extent, the Holy Rollers. Upon the houses of
worship have been bestowed the finest paintings, sculpture,
architecture. Into the coffers of temples and churches and synagogues
have been poured the symbol of man's ultimate material achievement:
money.
These
are the votive offerings, whether pagan or Christian or Jewish. Even
the god of Disbelief, which is the god of the Atheists, has received
his share of homage in the form of financial contributions.
It
is so today as it was in the ancient days of India, whose temples were
laden with the wealth of men who worshiped their gods and expressed it
in a substantial, dazzling way. In the heart of the world's first great
diamond-mining district, in a town called Nassak (also spelled Nassac,
Nasik, Nessuck, and Nasak), close by the wealth-laden Godavari river
about 100 miles northeast of Bombay, stood the temple to the great
goddess Siva. She was the Hindu deity that glorified the supreme
Antonym: She was the goddess of destruction and reproduction. Into her
temple poured the wealth of the wealthiest maharajahs and rajahs and
kings and princes of the world. Around her temple was built a high wall
so that men might End it difficult to steal this wealth. Chief among
the offerings were the diamonds found on the banks of the river that
Bowed by her side.
And one of these was a great stone. It was said to have a
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