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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
(red powder) and frankincense, red oint- (6) In Chaitra, people should break ment and red flowers are offered to the sun. their fasts with a little ghi and molasses. Durvā grass is also commonly used in the (7) In Vaishākha, the only satisfaction process of Sun worship.2
allowed to those observing the vrat is to lick Sometimes a hexangular figure is drawn their own palms three times.
(8) In Jyeslitha, thie fast is observed simply on three anjalis or palmfuls of pure water.
(9) In Ashādha, three chillies may be eaten.
(10) In Shrāvana, only cow-urine and molasses are tasted.
(11) In Bhādrapada, cow-dung and sugar are partaken of
(12) In Ashvina, the application of chandan (sandal wood) either in the form of an ointment or of powder.
Only a few very pious and enthusiastic instead of the ashtadal, a copper disc is devotees observe all Sundays in the above placed over it and the sun is worshipped by manner. In average cases, the devotee Panchopachar or the five-fold ceremonials.
or the five-fold ceremonials, allows himself rice, ghi, sugar, milk, i, e., Of all ceremonials a namaskār is especially white food, the restriction being only as to dear to the sun.4 It is said :
colour, नमस्कारपियो भानुर्जलधाराप्रियः शिवः।
People observing vows in honour of the परोपकारपियो विष्णु म्हणो भोजनप्रियः ॥ sun take food only once during the day, and A namaskar or bow is dear to the sun; a that too in bajas or dishes made of khākhara stream of water (pouring water in a small (or palash) leaves. This is considered one stream over Shiva's idol) is dear to Shiva : of the conditions of worship. there being benevolence to Vislinu and a good dinner to soine mysterious relation between Surya and a Brahman,
the khākhara. In observing vows in the sun's honour on 1 If the Pushya Nakshatra bappens to fall Sundays, the following special foods are on a Sunday, the worship of the sun on prescribed in particular months :
that day is believed to be most efficacious in (1) In Kārtika, the first month, the fulfilling the desires of the devotees, devotee is to take only three leaves of the Of the days of the month, the seventh day Tulsi or the holy basil plant.
of both the bright and the dark halves of each (2) In Mārgashirsha, the devotee may months and the Amārāsyā day, i.e., the only lick a few pieces of candied sugar. last day of a Hindu calendar month, are
(3) In Pausha, the devotee may chew set apart for Sun-worship. The ceremonies three stalks of green darbha grass.
of the worship are the same as those on (4) In Mägha, a few seeds of sesamum Sundays. In fact, in almost all the obserand sugar mixed together may be swallowed. vances in connection with the sun the same
(5) In Phālguna, a consecrated draught ceremonials are to be gone through. Very of curds and sugar may be drunk.
often a Brahman recites the patha direct
1 Mr. K.P. Joshi, Schoolmaster, Limbdi.
? Mr. G. K. Bhatt, Songadh. * Mr. B. K. Dave, Schoolmaster, Kotda-Sangani. • Mr. Girijashankar Karunasbankar, Schoolmaster, Songa 1h. * Mr. Nandlal Kalidas, Schoolmaster, Chhatrasa. • The Deputy Educational Inspector, Gobelwad. * Mr. D. K. Shah, Charadavah • Mr. K. P. Joshi, Limbdi.
9 Mr. N D. Vora, Rajpara.
