________________
MAY, 1895.)
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
117
Sunday, and the marriage is to be performed according to the custom of Arasu Ballaküla on Monday," said he.
Deyar was taken at a proper time to the palace at KAñchtkadanga, and when she arrived Yekara Sater was being shaved. In the middle of his forehead a figure of the moon was made. The ceremony of marriage was performed on Deyar, who entered the palace with her right foot first, when rice was sprinkled over her and flowers were thrown upon her. Then Deyar stood up, waved the lamps of coral and sprinkled pearls on her husband ; and then both of them saluted all present. A year and six months passed after the marriage.
“When giris that are married reaoh the age of ten or eleven years in the world they usually attain puberty, and sit alone for four days. But this has not happened to Giņde Gili Rama Deyar, although ten or sixteen years have passed over her," said some of the people in the morning.
"If I reach puberty and have to sit alone, I will offer a golden child, a cradle made of silver and a handful of money to Mahankall Abbe at Mala; the more certainly if I become pregnant and bring forth a child," said she. • The hair on her head faded and the nipples of her breasts turned black, and six and three - together nine - months passed over her womb.
Through which way shall I come, O my mother P" said her son Kumaraye, calling to his mother from her womb.
"If you come in the proper way, my son, I shall see your beauty, but if you come in any other way my son, how can I see your beauty p" replied his mother.
"Am I a wicked sinner that I should kill my mother ? Am I an enemy that I should kill any person ?" said he.
"If you come out, breaking through my head, you will become a Brahmarakshasa (Bhůta). If you come out, bursting through my back, you will become a serpent in Naraka. If you come out, bursting through my belly, you will become a Galiga in PAtalam," said his mother.
“My mother, I will come out, bursting through your right breast," said her son,
Then the tenth month approached and the blood flowed out. He was born at sunrise on Tuesday. As soon as her son was born he sat down, while the mother gave him the breast. He absorbed all her blood, even from the ends of her bones. When his mother came to understand that it was impossible to satisfy the son with the milk of her breast, she fed him first with a full cow's milk, and then with a second cow's milk.
The parents called ten or sixteen female servants and said: "O you maids, take care of our child! We go to MakAll Abbe at MAla and make her our offerings."
When they went out, the boy coaxed the maids and said : -"I will go to play and return back immediately."
In a certain place the Asuras were playing at ball in their play-room. They were many, but the boy was alone,
" If you stand on one side, we will stand on the other side," said the Aguras. Though the Asuras tried all they could, they were defeated; the boy alone was successful. The Asuras played on and being tired, threw the ball into a well called Basa BbAmi.
"If you are a boy, bɔru acsording to all the Sastras, you can get that ball out," said they.
They let down a silken ladder, and the boy began to descend. When he went down to take out the ball, they took away the ladder, and placed a large stone on the mouth of the well, on which they put earth, and planted a pipal tree also.
• Pouring water on the brido's and bridegroom's banda.
