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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
21
Sharad-punema (the full-moon day of Ashvin) | the son of Sinhikā, fearing lest the whole in order to absorb the nectarine rays of the of the nectar might be exhausted before the moon, and is drunk next morning. Drink- turn of the demons came, took the shape of ing in the rays of the moon in this manner a god and placed himself amongst them betis believed to cure diseases caused by heat ween Chandra (the moon) and Sūrya (the as well as eye-diseases, and it similarly sun). The nectar was served to him in turn, strengthens the eyesight and improves the but on Chandra and Sürya detecting the complexion. Sugar-candy thus exposed and trick, the demon's head was cut off by preserved in an air-tight jar is partaken Vishnu's discus, the sudarshana-chakra. of in small quantities every morning to gain Rāhu however did not die : for he had strength and to improve the complexion. tasted the nectar, which had reached his The absorption of the lunar rays through
throat. The head and trunk lived and the open mouth or eyes is also believed became immortal, the former being named to be of great effect in achieving these ob- Rāhu, and the latter Ketu. Both sworo jects.
revenge on Chandra and Sürya. At times, Once upon a time the gods and demons, therefore, they pounce upon Chandra and by their united efforts, churned the ocean and Sürya with the intention of devouring them. obtained therefrom fourteen ratnas or pre- In the fight that ensues, Chandra and Surya cious things.* These were distributed among are successful only after a long contest, them, Lakshmi, the kaustubha jewel, the with the assistance of the gods, and by the Shārnga bow and the conch-shell fell to the merit of the prayers that men offer. share of Vishnu, and the poison, Halāhal The reason of the eclipse is either that visha, was disposed of to Shiva. Only two Chandra and Sūrya bleed in the fight with things remained, sudhā, or nectar, and sură Ráhu and their forms get blackened"; or or liquor. To both gods and demons the that the demon Rāhu comes between the two nectar was the most important of all the luminaries and this earth, and thus causes an prizes. A hard contest ensuing between them eclipse; or because Rāhu obstructs the sun for the possession of it, the demons, by and the moon in their daily course, and this force, snatched the bowl of nectar from the intervention causes an eclipse?; or because gods. In this disaster to the gods, Vishnu Rābu swallows the sun and the moon, but came to their help in the form of Mohini-ea his throat being open, they escape, their most fascinating woman-and proposed to short disappearance causing an eclipse.* the demons that the distribution of the Besides the mythological story, there is a immortalising fluid should be entrusted to belief in Gujarat that a bhangi (scavenger her. On their consent, Vishnu or Mohini, l or sweeper), creditor of the sun and the moon, made the gods and the demons sit in goes to recover his debts due from them, and opposite rows and began first to serve that his shadow falling against either of the nectar to the gods. The demon Rāhu, them causes an eclipse.
1 The Schoolmasters of Rajpara, Limbdi, and Ibhrampur. * Mr. K. D. Desai.
The Shastri of Jetpar, Pathashala, The following Sanskrit verse mentions all of them: -
लक्ष्मी कौस्तुभपारिजातकसुरा धन्वंतरिश्चन्द्रमा । गावः कामहः सुरेश्वरगजो रम्भादिदेवानाः॥ अश्वः सप्तमुखो विषं हरिधनु: शंखोऽमृतं चांबुधेः । रत्नानीह चतुईश प्रतिदिनं कुर्वन्तु वो मंगलम् ॥ १॥
Rao Saheb P. B. Joshi. • The Schoolmasters of Jodia, Dhbank, Songadh, Rajpara, and Limbdi. $ The Schoolmaster of Kbiräsara.
Mr. D. K. Pandya, Dhbank. 7 Mr. Laxmichand Hemji, Vasăwad
Mr. G. K. Bhatt, Songadh, Mr. K. P, Joshi, Limbdi.
