Rev. W. B. Simpson, missionary among the Tamil people, writes of
a most inhuman sacrifice, which was being offered in a village
near Kumbakonam. A goat is brought, and its mouth tied up to
prevent its crying out. Nails are driven into its nostrils, its
mouth, ears, eyes, and the other two openings of the body. Then
a hand-beating on its poor body takes place, which must be kept
up till death comes to free the animal. This, the people claim,
is worshiping God according to the Vedas, altho there is no
foundation for it in any of its pages.
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