Indian Antiquary Vol 46

SR No.: 032538
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 508
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 420

72
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
The Mātrikās or Mätis are worshipped is placed over the bowl. It is then dressed during the Navaratra holidays also. On this in elegant female attire, and a ghi lamp is occasion small morias or earthen bowls with kept constantly burning near it. This coma hole in the centre of ench, are plastered pletes the sthäpan or installation of Randal with khadi (red or green earth) and kāya; Mātā, Women bow down before this reand young girls carry them on their heads presentation of the Mātā, and sing melowith burning lamps from door to door. At dious tunes in its presence. On the morning each house tliey receive oil for the lamp and of the following day, the image is carried a handful of corn. On the last day, i.e., on to the temple of the village Mātā, the cocosthe ninth day, all the bowls are placed on nut is deposited there, and the garments are the special site dedicated to the Mātās. brought home. The cocoanut is subsquently The songs, which are also nccompanied by taken by the Brahman attendant of the Mäta. dancing, are called garabi or garaba.1
On the day of the installation it is customThe Mātrikās are also supposed to be the ary to invite five goranis (married women grahas or planets which influence the life of whose husbands are living) to a feast of a child in the womb, and their worship is khir and cakes. On the next day, when the believed to bring about an casy delivery." Mātā is sent away, three virgins are enter.
There is also a family goddess of the name tained with rice, sugar and milk.5 of Matrika. In worshipping her, seven round In some communities a custom prevails of spots are painted on a wall with red lae, and "inviting the lotäs of the Mätās" on the ghi is poured over them in such a manner occasion of the first pregnancy of a woman, as to form five small reläs (streams). A On the day on which the lotās are to be inmixture of molasses and ghi is then applied vited, the pregnant woman takes a bath early to these spots with a picce of adächh (red in the morning, and calls upon thirteen goracotton yarn). By this process the devoteenis, whom she invites to dinner by marking secures the motlierly regard of the goddess, their forchends with red lnc. A Brahman
One of the deities which preside orer is called to set up the Mātās, whose installachild-birth is Randal Mātā or Ranna Devi, tion takes place in the same manner as that who is said to be the wife of the Sun. In of Randal. The piece of cloth spread on order to secure an easy delivery, pregnant the wooden stool is required to be green. women take a vow that they will invite one or When the gorānis sit down to the dinner, more lotas (bowls) of this Māta. The pro- the pregnant woman washes their right toes cess of "inviting the lotās" is as follow : with milk and swallows that milk as charan.
The tufts round the shell of a cocoanut amrit (lit. the nectar of the feet). The are pulled out, the nut is besmeared with gorā ris are required to taste a morsel of chalk, and marks representing two eyes and some preparation of milk before they begin a nose are painted on it. (Or the nut is so their meal. At night, a company of women placed that the two spots on its surface dance in a circle round tlie Mātās, singing represent eyes, and the pointed tuft of fibres songs. Next morning a bhuvā is called, who between them serves the purpose of a nose). declares the will of the Mātās. On receir. A bowl is placed on a piece of cloth stret- ing a satisfnctory reply from the bhura, the ched on a wooden stool, and the cocoanut party disperses."
The Schoolmaster of Zinzuwada. * The Schoolmaster of Sanka. 5 Tlie Schoolmaster of Anandpur.
Also known as surūsaris.
• The Schoolmaster of Ganod.
The Schoulmaster of Sanka • K. D. Desai.