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224
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[AUGUST, 1906.
On becoming a Nat, he became friends with Shwêsitthi Nat, the Prince of Hlaingdet. They lived toge her and are generally known as Min Hnaba Nats [the two princes]. His wife Mi Hnin E. Shan, lived at Taungbaing.
In the festival to this Nat the medium wears a scarlet pasd, with one end thrown round his neck, a scarlet iacket, and a scarlet turban. On his left shoulder he carries a sword with a piece of cloth, in the form of a bandle, suspended from it. He holds twigs of thabye in the right hand and chaunts an ode, while mimicking the driving of oxen. Then he drinks water as a tiger. In the ode he recounts his own story, bewailing the cruel manner in which he met with his death. According to this story he died on account of his refusal to listen to the words of his wife, who strongly urged him not to proceed on his journey. It is said that, previous to his death, he dreamt that his top-knot tied up by his wile, and his right arm on which his wise used to rest her head, were cut off.
22. Yunbayin Nat.
He was King Byáthàn of Zimms. When it was annexed in 920 Sakkaraj (1558 A. D.) by Sinbyůmyashin of Hanthawadi he was taken captive to Hanthawadi and kept there in honourablo confnement. He died there of dysentery and became a Nat.
In the festival to this Nat the medium wears a pozo, fringed with a border of foreign manufacture, & jacket, & white turban, and a purple hat. Placing on the head a bundle of cocoanuts, plantains, betel-leaves and tobacco, tied in a scarf, so as to leave its corners free and raising it thrice, ho chaunts an ode. He then thrice mimics a cock-fight, and, holding a sugar-cane in each hand, he strikes each with the other by turns as in funcios. Then he fills his pipe with tobacco and mimics the rowing of a boat.
23. Maung Minbyt Nat. He was the son of the King of Ava by the daughter of a jailor at Ava. He died of excessive indulgonce in liquor and opium and became a Nat.
In the festival to this Nat, the medium wears a paso, fringed with a border of foreign manufacture, white jacket, and a goll turban. Covering his head with a piece of white cloth,. embroidered with silver threads, he recites an ode, in which he bewails his own fate, repents his intemperance, and exhorts yonths not to indulge in the same vice, which has worked his ruin in the end. He then plays on a flute, holding it in the left hand..
24. Màndal Bod&w Nat.
He was the son of a Brahman, who was a minister of King Anawratâ of Pagan. By appointment of the king he was the guardiau of the two Shwebyin brothers in their youth. When the two brothers were execnted, he was also ordered to be executed as being their guardian, while encamping at Mandals on their return from China. When the executioners came to arrest him, he made an attempt to escape by riding away on a stone elephant, which he had animated with life by throwing a charmed string over it. But it was too late. He was seized, was bound hand and foot, and was executed in Mandale and become a Nat. Up till now a rock in the form of an elephant is still to be seen near Bodaw Nat's Cave in Mandalé. His last words complained of injustice, and he is usnally represented as holding up the tip of his fore-finger. As he was called Aphô (grandfather) by the two brothers he is now called the Mandale Bodaw.
In the festival to this Nat the medium is dressed in the same way as that of the Mahigiri Nat. Fanning bimself thrice with a fan, he claunts an ode. Then laying down the fan and the sword be dances.
