Indian Antiquary Vol 24

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 34

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1895.
are purified after a birth or a death by drinking water, which has been touched by a Havik Brahman.21 In Dharwar the Swamis give their followers holy water before meals, and when an infant is bathed, the mother waves drops of water round its face, and says:-“May you live long.' 22 A Kurubar, or Dharwar, shepherd in search of merit washes his teacher's toes and with the water bathes his own eyes. The teacher says :-"You are sure to go to Siva's heaven; all evil is scared out of you.'23 In 1790, Moore2 notices that the Musalman Nawab of Savanûr in the Bombay Karnatak never drank any water, except what came from the Ganges. The water was drunk by the Nawab, not from any motive of piety, but because of its medicinal properties. The Sholậpur Pañchals sprinkle the child with water as soon as it is born.35 Among the Gujarat Vânis, when the bridegroom on horseback reaches the bride's marriage porch, her mother comes out, waves a pot full of water round the boy's head, and spills it over the horse's legs.26 At the birth of a Dekhan Râmôsi child, women-Deighbours of any caste come and pour many pots of water in front of the door 27 When the Bângdis, or shepherd blanket-weavers of Ahmadnagar, go to visit one of their gods they throw a handful of water at his feet, bow and withdraw. In Southern India holy water is sprinkled on the moorners' heads, and mourners are made to drink holy water on the tenth day after a death.2 Brâhmans, at their morning bath, cast water on the ground to destroy the demons who war with the gods.30 Brahmans also offer tarpan, -that is, they pour out water, - for their ancestors and for heavenly spirits.31 When the Khonds wish to consult a priest they dash water on him, - that is, they scare the evil spirits from his neighbourhood. The priest sneezes, and the good spirit comes into him and the Khonds listen.32 The Pâreis hold that water purifies women at child-birth, heals sickness, and scares spirits.53 They believe that rain frightens sickness and death, 34 and they use holy water, over which prayers have been said.35 The Pârsis have páryáb, or holy water, which, with prayers, removes all impurities.36 The bath in the early morning is binding on the Jew, because when he is asleep evil spirits have rested on him.37 When a Jew became anclean, by touching a dead body, he and his house were sprinkled with the water of separation. This was made with the ashes of a red heifer, cedar and scarlet 38
The Buddhists of Ceylon sprinkle holy water on the worshipper,39 This holy water is prepared by foar prieste, who sit before dawn in the river Ganorua. On the first sign of dawn (light or fire which chases spirits) with a golden sword (spirits fear gold) they draw a circle (spirits fear a circle) in the water and fill the pitcher from the inside of the circle.60 The Burmese believe that spirits cannot cross ranning water, and stretch threads over brooks to help them to cross. 41 The Burmese, while using the first bucket of bathing water, say Pali prayers with the object of guarding against sickness. At his crowning the Barman king was sprinkled with holy water." The Malays wash new-born infants. The Chinese Mandarin washes his hands before making offerings to the gods." In China, at the end of a feast, waiters go round with basins of hot water, and the guests wash their hands and faces. Among the Musalmans of Tarkistán, before prayers, the bands and face aro washed, especially the seven openings, e. g., the eyes, ears, nostrils and morth.
In Melanesia, charmed bones and leaves are steeped in water to drive out the evil spirit.7 Polynesian priests consider sea-water pure owing to its containing salt, and from 31 Op. cit. Vol. XV. p. 37. Op. cit. Vol. XXII. p. 50.
» Op.cit. Vol. XXII. p. 18%. Moore's Narrativo, p. 348. Bombay Gasetteor, Vol. XXIV. p. 125. From MS, notes. # Bombay Geretter, Vol. IVIL p. 415.
* Op. cit. Vol XVII. p. 83. Dubois, Vol. II. p. 216.
» Colebrooke's Miscellancowe Bways, Vol. I. p. 14. # Ward's View of the Hindu, Vol. IL p. 63.
Speroor's Princ. of Sociology, Vol. I. p. 245. » Bleek's Kherdal Aventa, p. 82.
* Vendidad Pargard, Vol. XXI. * Bloel'. Vispered, p. 10.
* Dalistán, Vol. I. p. 345. Mill's British Jeroe is Spencar's Princ. of Sociology, App. p. 6. Numbera, XIX. # Leslie's Barly Raws of Scotland, Vol. I. p. 119.
** Op. cit. Vol. IL Pp. 506, 507. • Tylor's Primitive Culture, Vol. L p. 442
4 Shway Yoe's The Burman, Vol. Lp. K. • Op. cit. Vol. II. p. 480. Tylor's Primitive Culture, Vol. II. p. 130. "Gray's China, Vol: 1 p. 89. · Schaylor's Thurbilan, Vol. I p. 121
17 Jowr. Anthrop. Iunt. Vol. I. p. 284