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302
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[NOVEMBER, 1896.
"May you live till the sun and the moon cease to shine. May you live till your hair becomes white. May you get children and grandchildren, and may you increase abundantly." Then the priests told Sama Alwa to present a new dhotra to the bridegroom and a new shire to the bride. Then the bride and bridegroom put on the new clothes and came and prostrated themselves before their relatives and friends, who blessed them and said: "May God bless you with long life and save you."
Then the priests said:--"Now, make haste; it is getting late ; the rice and curry is getting cold ; let the guests sit down to dinner." Then all the guests went out of the pandal, and servants came with brooms to sweep the place. Afterwards, the chief men of the caste came and made all the people sit in rows, and pieces of plantain-leaves were placed before each person. The relatives and friends were made to sit in the front rows; and all were made to sit down according to rank. Those who had come uninvited were made to sit in the hindmost row. Then rice was brought and served, and curry was brought and served. Then they were told to begin to eat. Then they began to eat. Afterwards payasa34 was served, and over the payasa sugar was served plentifully. All the people partook of as much as they liked, and were satisfied, and said that they had never tasted such a good dinner. So they arose from their dinner, and the plantain-leaves on which they had eaten were all removed and given to the Koragars. The Koragars found on the plantain-leaves quantities of rice, which had been left by the eaters; and they ate it and were glad. So the pandal was swept and cleansed, and again a second party35 sat down to dinner; and after they finished their dinner, a third party 38 sat down to dinner. After all had thus finished their dinner, all the guests sat down; and the chief men of the caste and the priests of the stána called Sama Alwa and said to him: - "O Sama Alwa, none have ever prepared so well for a marriage-feast as you have. God's blessing is npon you. You are a fortunate man."
Some indeed said: - "He would not have found a girl in the forest, if he were not a fortunate man."
Then they said to Sama Aļwa: - "Now, we will go."
Then he said, clasping his hands: -"You helped me in celebrating the marriage of my nephew. As you have been so kind, this marriage has been celebrated with much success."
At this, they said : -"Do not compliment us; all has gone off so well on account of your good fortune; we have done nothing. Now we are going."
Then he gave them betel-leaves and nuts, etc., and shewed them respect. So they went away gladly. Then his relatives also prepared to go. But he prevented them, and said: "You must stay here four days more.” So they stayed.
On the next day Sayana Beidya said to Sama Aļwa:-"0 uncle, to-day I will go to the forest to bring palm-juice."
When he said this in the presence of the relatives and friends, Sama Aļwa said to him :"O nephew, hear me, you cannot go to the forest. It is infested by numerous wild beasts, such as tigers and bears; therefore, you cannot go."
At this, he said to his uncle: - "If you say this, when shall I be able to go to the forest ? You are getting old now; and you will not be able to work always; therefore I must begin to do this soon. Therefore, in future, when you are going to the forest, you must take me with
you."
Then he said to his nephew :-"So be it, accompany me to the forest from I will take you to the forest for some days."
to-morrow.
M A thick gruel-like preparation made of cocoanut juice, jaggery, rice and pulse. 86 1. e. those who had not taken their meal at the first time. * I. 6., those who were employed in serving their guests, etc.
