These are all explained minutely in the essay of Roth, whose clear demonstration of the modernness of the ritual, as compared with the antiquity of the hymn should be read complete.
The seventh verse (above) has a special literature of its own, since the words "let them, to begin with, mount the altar," have been changed by the advocates of _suttee_, widow-burning, to mean 'to the place of fire'; which change, however, is quite recent.

The burning of widows begins rather late in India, and probably was confined at first to the pet wife of royal persons.

It was then claimed as an honor by the first wife, and eventually without real authority, and in fact against early law, became the rule and sign of a devoted wife.

The practice was abolished by the English in 1829; but, considering the widow's present horrible existence, it is questionable whether it would not be a mercy to her and to her family to restore the right of dying and the hope of heaven, in the place of the living death and actual hell on earth in which she is entombed to-day.
ORDEALS.[37] Fire and water are the means employed in India to test guilt in the earlier period.

Then comes the oath with judgment indicated by subsequent misfortune.