In a letter written to Thomas Jefferson in 1814, John Adams— expressing his fear of the effects of factionalized electioneering on American political institutions— writes “Election is the grand Brama, the immortal Lama, I had almost Said, the Jaggernaught, for Wives are almost ready to burn upon the Pile and Children to be thrown under the Wheel.” Adams then elaborates the reference:
Two of the three things my American colleague said while discussing India-
1. ‘The ascetics- you know the ‘mind over matter’ folks who can keep their hands over their heads for hours.’ (Literally used the same words as Adam’s Compendium. The continuity of this hindoo imagination in the American mind is a lesson in narrative building. Thanks for taking the pains to study them.)
2. ‘The Dravidians had great culture and built great pyramids.’
Two of the three things my American colleague said while discussing India-
1. ‘The ascetics- you know the ‘mind over matter’ folks who can keep their hands over their heads for hours.’ (Literally used the same words as Adam’s Compendium. The continuity of this hindoo imagination in the American mind is a lesson in narrative building. Thanks for taking the pains to study them.)
2. ‘The Dravidians had great culture and built great pyramids.’
Great and insightful piece. Thanks!