WCP4180

[1]

India,

Calcutta,

45, Raja Rajballub's Street.

The 15^th November 1893

To Alfred R. Wallace, L.L.D.

Sir,

I have the honour to submit for your perusal and kind acceptance a copy of my lectures on "Hindu religion, philosophy and yoga together with a copy of the last annual report of the Calcutta yoga Society of which I have the honour to be the Secretary.

I have read with considerable interest your paper on "Science & Psychics", published in the second issue of the "Borderland". In that paper you have taken a short view of a variety of subjects, which were in ancient times more or less investigated in the East; and what is more interesting the early inquirers from [2] observations of a very large number of phenomena or groups of phenomena tried to arrange and classify them and to put them into some sort of scientific basis for the attainment of truths. This will appear to you from my belives [sic] on "Pataiyal Yoga Philosophy" and "Raj Yoga". I beg particularly to draw your attention to the theory of "molecular perfection" as advocated by the Ancient Rishis described in paras 2 & 3 in page 120 ^{of the book,} and to the parts marked in pages 131 to 133. We are here of opinion that until a man endeavours to free himself more & more from errors there is no hope of his getting absolute truths, whether in Sèances, in dreams, in crystal gazing &c [3] no good reflection of an object is expected ^{to fall} in the sullied surface of a mirror.

In the west some investigate spiritual phenomena for fun, some for money, some for curiosity, some for gossips &c, many also for the sake of truths. In the East (India) they are investigated by those only who have either ceased to take interest in the world, or have pledged themselves to remain udashin (urdhai = above, ashin = to sit or remain) in respect to worldly affairs, whatever might be their occupation in life for the earning of daily bread. As regards spiritual manifestations, control &c, I humbly request you to read my two papers — Tantras and "Spirit Worship"; and as regards religion ^{I beg to refer you} to my paper on "Some thoughts on the Gita". My first object in [4] putting the best of subjects "Yoga", before you is, that as an Eminent Scientific man and a sincere enquirer in the domain of truths, you will would no doubt be able to able throw more light on it than I have been able to do.

I am, Sir, | Your respectfully | K. Chakravarti¹ [signature]