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FEBRUARY, 1894.]
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
29
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS. FROM THE PAPERS OF THE LATE A. E. BURNELL.
(Continued from page 24.) BURNELL MSS. -- No. IV. PART I.
THE SONG OF KOTI AND CHANNAYYA. O RIGINAL in the Kanaresé character from the MS. of Dr. Mögling, Mangalore, and
signed “M.": translation according to Burnell's MS. Original, text and translation, occupies leaves 23 to 53 inclusive in Barnell's MSS. It is really a direct continuation of the story of Deyibaidi.
Translation.
On leaving the Balla!'s house (Deyi) walked on by the sides of the paddy fields, and began to feel pangs of childbirth, little by little. She stood on the road, clasping a cocoanut tree bearing fruit of a red colour, and dropped tears.
At this time one Buddyanta came up, and, on coming up he said :-"O my mother! O Billavar girl! Is it the overflow of blood in your veins, or is it the pride of wealth (that makes you stand thus) ?"
Deyi replied: - "If I have done this out of pride, I shall suffer hardship. If out of trouble, the children that shall be born of me will relieve me of it."
Meanwhile, the Balla! had sent his wives to see whether Deyi had reached home, or was still on the road. They came and called her to their house, and when she came, the Ballal said:
“There are seven rooms in my bidu (residence). One of them do you set apart for her, and let her bring forth her children in that room."
By this time Deyi felt pain, and (her attendants) hung up a rope to facilitate the delivery, praying to the Bhûta, Brahmara of Kommule.
Then, first she brought forth a male child. From one womb she brought forth two children. On the ninth day after this, she and her children were purified, and it was desired that the ceremony of giving names to the children should be performed on that day. So that he might out-live the corner-stone of the temple of the god at Kotêsvara in the South, the first was named Koti: and so that he might live as long as there existed the corner-stone of the temple of the god at Badiringa in the North, the second was named Channayya.
Through Ammanna Baidya, Birmanna Baidya killed the mother of these children by means of magic. The Ballat caused her to be buried in a corner of the room, in which she had stayed, and had her children purified. He gave orders that, as they had no mother, they should be well taken care of; and he sent for their use first a cow and then a shebuffaloe, one after the other, as each ceased to give milk. He also provided them with carpets and shawls, one after the other, as each became useless. In this manner he treated them with much respect.
Then the Balla! sent for sayina Baidya: - "Feed these your children well,” said he.
So Sayina Baidya had the children taken to his house, and when he was leaving the Balla!'s house, the Balla! provided him with everything he wanted, in order to bring up the children well.
While they were living in Sâyina's house, they saw Buddyanta's children playing with cashew nuts; and when they saw this, they went to Sâyina Baidya, and asked him to give them some cashew nuts, and also with implements for the game. He gave them trowsers and coats, and had a horn blown in their honour !
