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JANUARY, 1894.)
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
"As soon as he had said this, the ferry-man brought the boat.
“Tender cocoanuts and cocoanut leaves are very dear in Knlur and Mulki. Therefore, I ann going to a village where there are teuder cocoanuts and milk,' said Jarandaya.
"He got into the boat. The boat moved on. It came to the middle of the river. 10 whirled round and round. Jarandaya murdered the ferry-man Kunya.
"He proceeded further and entered the bodies of Kote Bale Bermane, of a weeping child and a lowing calf. Wondering what this could be, he (Kote Bale Bermaņe) sent for one Maiyya Bermane. The latter looked into the praina-book.24 He found that a demon of the name of Jaranda ya had arrived in the village from the south. A she-buffalo, together with her calf, were offered to the demon Järandâya.
“There was a guard in the demon's gudi. Jarandîya was known by three names, viz., JArandAya of the sthana, Jarandaya of the kottige (i. e., the cow-shed), and Jarandaya of the Chavadi."
« Vishnu's flag with the figure of garuda was raised. The fenst began. The yard was full of people. The gudi was full of lamps. The demon Järandâya settled himself in the place."
After the incantation the following dialogue took place between the pombada representing Járandâya and the headman :
Pombada. "I ask you people of this village and caste, shall I, with joy, enter into this Pombada P"
Head-man and some of the people. "Yes, with joy !" Pombada. “Who are present of those who do not belong to this caste ? "
Head-uan. "There are some Brahmañs here. There is also the judge-sáhib of this place, and one of the Padres, 35 &c., &c. All these have come with joy."
Pombada. “Well, give them presents. Are there none here, who have come from far places ?"
Head-man. "There are some from Mulki, &c., people of this caste." Pombada. “Give them to eat."
After this, the demon Järandâ ya, through the pombada of course, asked for food. Jeaps of rice, cocoanuts, &c., were presented to him. Also twelve fowls were killed and given to the pombada. He bit them and gave them away to his caste people. After having touched somo of the food, he washed his bands, besmeared them with powdered sandal-wood, and, sitting down on a stool, took the sword and bell into his hands, which he had put down before taking the food. Then he roso from the stool and asked :-"What was your object in celebrating this festival ?" The head-man explained that it was performed in accordance with a vow, and asked his blessing. The pombada said :- “It is all well. I shall perform everything to your satisfaction."
Then the pombada who represented Jarandaya, again, commenced to tremble and quake hysterically, and, rolling his bloodshot eyes, gave out his oracles. Every one was addressed according to his rank, and if the miserable medium (as a bystander informed us) offends a rich Banta by omitting any part of his yard-long titles, he is made to suffer for it.
The performance continued as long as the medium could hold out, and then recommenced in similar style with the representation of the second Bhâta. It took three days and nights to finish the series of the five Bhútas. And certainly the performer fairly earned the eight rupees, which were paid to him for his heavy work!
24 Work on astrology.
* i. e., Dr. Burnell and the Rev. Joh. Hesse.
