“THE FAITHS IN THE WORLD”. A dictionary of all religions and their religious sects. by The Rev. James Gardner. This 19th-century engraving illustrates a group of Hindu fakirs (ascetics or holy men) engaged in various ritualistic and spiritual practices beneath a large banyan tree in a forested setting. The scene is filled with activity — some individuals are meditating, while others perform extreme acts of devotion, such as piercing and firewalking. Sacred structures and statues, including a prominent deity face, can be seen in the background. The artwork, marked by colonial-era biases, reflects a Western perspective that labeled these spiritual practices as “superstitious rites.” The engraving captures both the spiritual intensity and the complex cultural symbolism of Hindu ascetic traditions.

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