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OCTOBER, 1910.)
RELIGIOUS SONGS FROM NORTHERN INDIA.
283
In reality they teach that the ghosts are demons, who are constantly on a look-out for an oppor(unity to trouble the survivors, whenever they fail to do homage, and also to create new occasions for demanding pújá.
What we knew on the point amounted to this :-those ghosts, who have not been properly burnt or buried, become demons, and when proper ceremonies performed they cease to remain demous. But this song assures us that whether the ceremonies bave been performed properly or not, the dead become demons and remain demons for ever and ever.
No. XXI.
A Hymn to Devi. Low-castes of the Saharanpár District (gardeners and scavengers). Recorded by Ramgharib Chaube.
Text Sur ki data adi Sarswati, budh ka data dar håll. Ann ki data Annporna hai; dushton ko bhakshai Kali.
Sat Yug men kis ki thi půjá ? Dwapar men kis ne mani ? Treta Yug meii kaua puji thi ? Ka Yug, Kal Yag men ko bâchali ?
Ann kt dâta Annparnâ ; dushton ko bhakshai Káli. Sat Yug meh sab ki devi Sita : Dwapar mer Dropadi Râni. Treti Yug men Tulsiji tbin, Kal Yug men pragati hain Kali. Sur ki dáta adi Sarawati; budhi ki data dar hâli. Vrahmaji ko Kahiye Sumitra ; Vishnů ke Lakshmi Rani; Mabadêra ke alakh Gaura kasht kalesh katai Kali.
Translation. Sarswati is the prime giver of sur (melody) and also the giver of wisdom in t'mes of necessity Annpurna Devi is the giver of food, and Kali is the devourer of the wicked.
Who was the object of worship in the Sat Yug? Who was acknowledged (as a deity) in the Dwapar Yug?
Who was worshipped in the Tret& Yng? Who speaks in the Kal Yug? Annpurna is the giver of food, and Kali is the devourer of the wicked. In the Sat Yug Sitâ was the goddess of all. In the Dwapar Yug Dropadi was Queen. In the Tretâ Tulsiji was the goddess of all ), and in the Kal Yug Kali is manifest. Sarswati is the prime giver of melody and also the giver of wisdom in times of necessity.
Vrabma has Sumitra for his queen and Vishņû has Lakshmi; Mahadeva has Gaurâ for his queen, who, in her form of Kali, removes the pains and sufferings of the people.
Note by the Recorder. In the District of Sabaran pûr, Mális and Bhangis are regarded to be special favourites of Devi by the low-caste people. The Malis act as priests of Devi in popular worship, and the Bhangis act as chanters of hymns to her.
No. XXII.
Songs to Sitala (goddess of Small-pox.) Sung when commencing any important undertaking or on the departure of small-poc
from a village or family. l'ecorded by a School Teacher at Chhaward Mau, District Farrukhabad.
1. Text. Tu meri din dayal ho, jagtârini Mâta. Sitala ke ban meri gauwen bidar gaii. To meri din dayalâ ho, jagtârini Máta. Ishwar diyen maiya kahabat hai ? Sitala deyan, to pâi : ye jag tårini Mata. Dudh, dudhanrt, pût pâlna, ghar, anganâ, na suhấy ho: jagtárini Mata. Tom jal, tum thal tumbió aparbal. Tin lok ki rant ho, jagtârani Mata.
Translation. O Mother, giver of salvation to the world, thou art kind to the poor. My kine have strayed into the forest of Sitala.
