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FEBRUARY, 1894.)
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
33
“Now, Buddyanta, what day has been found to be auspicious for us and what day for you ?" asked Koţi.
"This Tuesday has been chosen for me and the next for yon," replied Buddyanta.
“We must celebrate the kambala on the same day as Buddyanta, and we must sow onr field at the same time that he does ;" so the young men resolved within themselves.
They then said to one another that they ought to order some he-buffaloes and coolies for the kembala.
"Yon go to the lower parts, and I will go to the upper parts, to order he-buffaloes and coolies. He who owns foar he-buffaloes should send two to us, and two should he send to Buddyanta ; and he who owns two only, may, if he pleases, send them to us, or he may send :hein to Buddyanta," said the elder to the younger brother.
Now, at this very time, Buddyanta also intended to order he-buffaloes and coolies. "Where are you going, Kôți?” asked he. "I have come to order he-buffaloes and coolies," was the reply.
“For you the next Tuesday has been chosen. This Tuesday has been chosen for me. Why do you act in this manner ?" asked Buddyanta.
" Acting upon your advice, my brother has put the seed that was in the upper-story into water," replied Kôţi.
When Buddyanta proceeded further, he met Channayya Baidya, and, seeing him, be asked him where he was going to.
"I am going to order he-buffaloes and coolies, my lord !" said Channayya. "Then, when do you mean to celebrate your kambala ?" asked Buddyanta.
“It should be celebrated to morrow. Listening to my brother's advice, the seed that was in the upper-story I put into water," answered Channayya.
“What do you mean by this, Channayya ? What trick are you playing ?" said Buddyanta.
The men who were to drive the buffaloes were ordered to appear along with the animals very early the next morning, and the maid-servants were ordered to appear with earthen pots in their hands. The next day, the buffaloes and coolies both came to the fields, and it was only after the fields of Koți and Channayya had been twice ploughed that the buffaloes came to Buddyanta's fields; and by the time that the fields of the latter had been ploughed once, Kôți and Channayya had entirely finished their kambala. Then they sent four buffaloes and four coolies to Buddyanta's fields.
Then Buddyanta came from Vali Manje Katte, rooted out the kuntálam plant growing in the water, and severely beat the buffaloes and coolies.
Then the two brothers said :- “Do not you beat the buffaloes and coolies belonging to others. If you bear hatred against us, revenge yourself on our own persons ;” and to the coolies and buffaloes they said :- "Although you have been beaten, we shall consider the aggression as against ourselves."
They then caused the buffaloes to be washed and boiled rice to be served to them. They also caused fodder to be served to those who were willing to eat it, and supplied tender cocoanuts to those who would not take fodder. To the coolies they said: - "Go home in great enjoyment."
They then brought some soed in baskets to their fields for sowing them; while Buddyanta had his seed carried to his fields in a palankin, and a plantain tree carried on the shoulders of coolies. The two brothers then planted a plaintain tree in their fields, sowed them and returned home.
