As the temple of Honor could only be reached by passing through that dedicated to Virtue, the votaries were reminded that it was by walking in her paths, that true honor was to be attained. […] He believed from this that his son was dead. […] The idea seems to be that they are so vile that no kind of food could pollute them. […] It appears that for several centuries it was, and that it extended to Ceylon, and the Eastern peninsula. […] During the ceremony they implored the Lord, that the holy drops might wash away the sin that was given to it before the foundation of the world, so that the child might be born anew.