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FOLKLORE OF THE KONKAN
Many spirits dwell in burial or cremation grounds, Among them are Vetál, Jákhin, Khavis, Kháprya, Zoting, Dáv, Girha, Alavat and Lávsat.1
The spirits Munja and Sambandh are said to reside near houses and old trees that pro-duce sweet smelling flowers. The spirits Devchár and Chálegat are said to reside at the four corners or the boundary of a village.2
It is believed that all kinds of spirits assemble at night at the funeral ground when a body is burnt or buried.3
The evil spirits known as Khavis, Zoting and Kafri are said to dwell. on mountains and in jungles; while the others named Sambandha, Jákhin, Hadal and Lávsat are said to reside -on trees,1
Munja resides in the Pipal tree. Sambandha dwells in the Banyan, Pipal and Umbar trees. It is supposed to be a guardian of buried treasure.5
At Murbád in the Thána District, it is believed that an evil spirit known as Hadal infests the tamarind trees."
In the Kolhapur District it is believed that the ghosts of persons dying on battlefields infest mountains and jungles, and the evil spirit known as Sambandh infests trees,"
Generally in the Konkan, and specially in the Ratnagiri District, young mothers and their children are supposed to be liable to the attacks of the spirits Satávi, Avagat, Alavant, Jákhin, Devchár and Chúlegat 8
At Khopoli in the Kolába District it is believed that a young mother and her child are generally attacked by the spirit of the dead wife of her husband, or by a Hadal or Lávsat. The spirit that attacks a woman
1 School Master, Mitbáv, Ratnagiri.
3 School Master, Ibhrampur, Ratnagiri
5 School Mister, Chauk, Kolába,
+ Ráo Sáheb Shelke, Kolbápur. School Master, Khopoli, Kolába, 11 Ráo Sáhẹb Shelke, Kolhápur. 13 School Master, Bankavli, Ratnagiri,
during her childbirth is difficult to drive out. The spirits are always afraid of cleanliness, and therefore, where there is cleanliness, there is very little fear of their attacks".
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The people of Shirgaon believe that the fiend known as Hedli attacks a young mother and her child. The Bhutya, or the sorcerer, makes use of his cane and of the dirty incense known as Nurkya Uda, and compels her to speak and to ask for what she wants. Sometimes she speaks and asks for the things required. Boiled rice and curds, and oil with red lead are given to her. When she leaves the body, the person becomes insensible for a short time,10
The fiend known as Hadal, and other evil spirits of the female sex, generally attack a young mother and her child. They are generally attacked by these fiends on a public cross road where three roads meet, or under a Bábhul tree, and also at wells.11
At Ubhádánda in the Vengurla taluka it is believed that those who are killed by tigers or other wild beasts are born as kings in the next generation 12 On the other hand the people of Bankavli are of opinion that those who suffer death at the hands of tigers and other wild beasts are turned into spirits. The spirit of a person killed by a tiger is called Vághvir 13
At Achare it is believed that persons killed by lions and tigers attain salvation, while those killed by inferior beasts go to hell.14
The people of Ibhrámpur believe that unmarried persons killed by tigers or other wild beasts take the form of a ghost. Males become Girhas and females become Jákhins and. Lávsats 15
2 School Master, Fonde, Ratnagiri. School Master, Ibhrampur, Ratnagiri. School Master, Murbád, Thána.
8 School Master, Achare, Ratnagiri. 10 School Master, Shirgaon, Thána. 12 School Master, Ubhádánda, Ratnagiri. 14 School Master, Achare, Ratnagiri.
School Master, Ibhrampur, Ratnagiri.
