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FEBRUARY, 1894.]
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
When he had finished, they set out, Channayya of Edambůr walking first, and the brothers following him. They walked very fast, when passing through the forest of Kemmule. While they were walking through it, the brothers asked their guide : -
“What is that in the distance, Channayya of Edambůr; what is it that in height equals & cocoanut tree and in circumference an umbrella, and is shaped like an umbrella ? Is it a mosque of the Mâpillas ? Or a temple of the Kudumbis? Or a temple of the Jains ? Or simply a temple? Or is it a guļi belonging to the Bhuta, Brahmara ?”
"O heroes, the time of your death is come! I shall also have to die with you," cried Channayya.
" Channayya, do you sit down here under this trunkless sánti-tree, hidden under its leaves. We will give some offerings to the Bhata Brahmara, and on our return, we will take you along with us," said the two brothers, and proceeded towards the Bhûta's gudi with great speed.
They crossed a bridge of ropes and reached the place and came to the yard in front of the gudi and stood there, like Bhima and Yáma, with their breasts towards a pillar and their backs towards the long flat stone in front of the deity. The noon-day worship was finished, the doors of the gudi were shut, all the lamps were out, and the sound of the bells had ceased.
Then they prayed to the Bhůta thus: - "We are heroes that in life deserve a place in the king's council, and after death a place in your council-chamber. If you are the Brahmara that helps men in their difficulties, the doors of your gudi that are shut, should now open; the lamps that have been put out, should become lighted; the bells that have become silent, should ring; and the signal gun should be fired, and the horn and the drum should sound."
Before the words had left their lips, Brahmara had granted their prayer. The doors that had been shut opened, and the lamps that had been put out became lighted, and all their prayer was fully answered. They then prayed that the Bhůta should descend from the seventh story of the gudi and come down to the third, and that he should hold a golden plate in his bands and receive their offerings. Then Brahmara descended from the seventh story to the third, riding on a white horse. Holding a silver umbrella, he wore a garland of white conch-shells on his right shoulder, and on his left, & garland of black shells. He had a discus on his head and his breast was covered with a square shield. The two brothers then delivered to him the offerings they had consecrated to him. The Blûta gave them his prasáda.
Now when they had finished their worship with flowers, hear, Oye people ! a wonderful miracle was wrought by Brahmars of the forest of Kommule. When they had finished their meals, they were suddenly attacked with fever and cold, and ran to the house of a Brahman so fast, that their heads were completely covered with the dust rising from the ground. Now, before leaving the place, they had crossed the yard and had entered the gudi itself, and had thus pollated it. The Brâhmaņs asked them what was the matter, and said :
"You have polluted the sacred gudi of Brahmara. O heroes, was it through the pride of race, or of money, or of your gigantic strength P"
“Listen to us, Brahmang. If you think that Brahmara is helping you, move him by your prayers to shut the doors that have been opened," said the brothers.
The Brahmaņs then began to pray, and knelt down; but although their throats became dry with their praying, and their knees broken, Brahmara did not grant their request. He did not become their charioteer. The brothers then advised them to place one of their hands on one of their eyes, and the other on one of their ears, and to stand on one leg. While they were standing in that posture, the brothers prayed as follows:
"If you are a Brahmara, willing to help us, you must needs become now our charioteer,
. Some ground sandal-wood and some flowers as a mark of his favour.
