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ALPHABETICAL GUIDE TO SINHALESE FOLKLORE
Anuhas Devi. A name of Vaduru-kali ; see Kâli. Arati. Sister of Mâra. Arave. See Kirtli Bandára.
Arch. The Toran-bandima narrates that a Sêra-mân (Cêra king), who was afflicted with pain in the head, built & gan-madu or“ village-house," with an arch in front, for the cult of Pattini, and was healed. It then gives the ritual for similar rites. The arch should be 7 spans 4 fingers in height and 6 spans 3 fingers in breadth; the sufferer should be placed at a distance of 7 cubits and made to look at it. Exorcisme for the evils of the 7 days and of the various parts of the body are given. The Madu-pura gives the same legend, stating that the king acted on the advice of the goddess of his state sunshade, and that dances were performed for 7 days in the building. Allusion is made to this legend in Gana-ruva (see Pattini). There is a ritual, and a poem descriptive of it, styled Gi-madu-yagaya, for the dancing and other ceremonies to propitiate Devel Devi. A king is said to have come to Ceylon who was afflicted with headache, and was healed by rites in & gi-maduva (song-booth) in honour of Pattini. An arch for Pattini is constructed, 5 cubits 5 inches high, and divided across, the middle division being 28 inches in width and made of split plantain bark; flowers are fixed on it at intervals. Another archway in 5 stages is made; it is 7 cubits in height and the same width, topped by a dolphin-arch (makara-torana), with figures of hamsas, parrots, and peacocks, and culminating in a golden spear. Bandara Deva, Gombara Bandara, Irddi Kurumbara, and Tedas Bandara are invoked at the end.
Areca. This tree is said to have arisen from Duma-valli's pyre; se Vas.
Areca-sickle. The areca-sickle or gire is said to have been invented by Oddisa, who to heal the enchantment of Mänikpala cut golden limes with an areca-sickle, uttering charms. Višvakarma made the sickle of iron smelted from Mount Meru. Its left eye represented the moon, its right eye the sun, its handles the four guardian gods, its blade Rahu, the hammer was invented to make it. Various gods reside in its different parts. [Gire-upata." See also Valalu.
Arrow. According to the Igahê Santiya, an arrow was needed by the Rßis for their rites to heal Malsarâ Kumaru of his enchantment. Viskam made one, Kanda giving the shaft and Bhadra-kali the blade, and Vişnu, receiving it from him, poured water upon it to temper the iron, and gave it to Säkra, who gave it to the Mala Raja. The Rşis then took it and used it in their rites. See also Kadavara and Siva.
Aru-mugam. See Kanda.
Asaddana Rel. A mythical sage, son of the Raja of Sagalpura; on his part in the orowning of Maha-sammata, see Maha-eammata.
Ash-melon. On the use of the ash-melon (pusul) in rites, see Bodhi-sattva and Vas. Cf. 8. v. Oddisa.
Asupala Kumari. A goddess, invoked in Tovil-vidiya. From her funeral pyre arose Haniyan Yaka, q. v. An Asupali Kumari was mother of Saikhapala, q. v.
Asura Kadavara. A lecherous demon, watching women in the fields, and attacking their throats. [Kadavara-tovil.]
Asarapoti. One of the mothers of the Devol Deviyo.
