Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 45
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

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Page 279
________________ ALPHABETICAL GUIDE TO SINHALESE FOLKLORE 19 neck, and a Giri goddess on each side of him. A D.-.-jantiya describes a ritual to cure headache, stomach-ache, swelling of the stomach, nausea, and disorders of women. An image of Dala should be made, 7 spans 7 fingers in length and 4 spans 5 fingers in width, having 3 cobras with swelling hoods over his head, ear-jewels, two tusks, a copper-coloured beard, a neck-chain, arm-rings, a girdle, and on each side a Giri Devi wearing a jacket and jewels. Five kinds each of yams, cabbages or hearts of vegetables, parobed grain, milk, and flowers, and a five-coloured robe should be offered. The D.-kadavara-dola states that he causes whooping-cough, asthma, delirious and impeded speech, mania, dumbness, distension of the abdomen, flux, fits, etc., and prescribes for his propitiation a rite with a bali-image of clay mixed with sandal dust and watered milk, 6 cubits long and 4 broad, with three cobras' hoods over the head, the face of a rakusu, a flower-brocaded pillow on its head, a virgin at its feet, and Giri Devi at the sides. Red fowls are offered. The D.. koumára-puvata describes a bali-rite for Dala and Giri, to exorcise sickness. The exorcist purifies a white ant's nest on the north (of the patient's house ?) and thence take clay for an image. The table for the image is 8 spans in length and 4 spans 4 fingers in width. The image of Dala has 3 cobras' hoods over its head, ear-jewels, neck-jewels, a jacket and belt, the face of a Rakusu, and 4 hands. A Giri stands on each side of him, and he holds them by the hair. This image is placed on the west (of the patient's house?), in the nearest cemetery. Young cocoanuts, etc., are offered. The figure of Giri, which is made of the same clay and put in the same place, stands on a table 7 spans 2 fingers long and 4 spans I finger wide. She has on each side a Rakusu with his arms around her neck, and holds a child on her hip. During the ceremony a pirit-cord is tied and charms are muttered. See also Aliyama Kadavara, Drums, Pattini, Sohon Kalavara. Dala Riri. A god invoked in connection with Riri Yaka. Dalu-mura. See Betel. Dancing. Dancing comprises gila or song, nitya or dancing proper, and bera pada or drum-accompaniment (on which see Drums). Dancing was invented by the Rsis at the rites for healing the enchantment of Maha-saminata ; there are 32 tunos for it. [Nrtyaupata.] Dandu-monara. See Wooden Peacock. Danta-dhatu Rşi. A sage, on whom see Vas. Danta-siva. Father of Dala Raja. Dantura Bandara. A demon, on whose legend see Perahära. Dan Udiya. For the legend of this Preta see Virálá. Dipima. A ritual of exorcism, on which see Sanni Yaka. Dapulu. A chiid created by Dürlimunda (q. v.) from the ashes of Somâvati: he became king of Devundara (Dondra). Daru-nälavilla. A "lullaby for children" sung by exorcists. Davul. See Drums. Days. For the unlucky days, see Rittà. On the propitiation of the days of the week, see Set-santiya. Dehi, Desi. See Limes. Demala Kadavara. See Dala Raja. Demala-madana. A companion of Ratikan, q. v. Demala Oddisa. See Olilisa. Demala Pilli. See Pilli Yaka. Demala Vädi. “The Tamil Vädi," a spirit invoked in Vadi-yak-yadinna. Demala Yaka. A demon, subdued by Buddha, q. v. See also Sanni Yaka.

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