Indian Antiquary Vol 45

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 349

ALPHABETICAL GUIDE TO SINHALESE FOLKLORE
89
mother, and drank her blood. He came with his consort Riri Yakini on a "bronze net " raft to Ceylon, and received the authority of Kataragama Deva to work their will during the three first watches of the night. Saman seized them, tied them to a pamburu tree, and beat them with his spear of gold and adamant, but forgave them, and allowed them to -cause sickness and receive bali- offerings. Five fried cereals, 7 kinds of flesh, cakes, antimony, sandal, blood, milk, oil, and flowers are offered, on the west of the site chosen, the exorcist wearing red cloths and a cap. Later it is stated that Teda Pattini tied the Yaka and Yakini to the tree. Another R.-y.-kavi states that his height is a span and 6 inches and he rides a goat; Saman at Gavara-vila killed a white bison (gavara) and gave its blood to Rîri. The R.-upadesa states that he dwells at the Riri-vila in Garâstra, holds the authority of Saman, and was born of Lê-tâli Bisava, bursting through her breasts, so that she died on the same day. Once he was born with two red tusks at Asura-pura; he was tied to a white pamburu tree. His offerings are red rice, etc. He has the form of a fierce vâliya. His height is 1 span 6 inches. He dwells at the Lê-mal temple. To dissolve his spell the Yakini's Ayilakkandi, Kuşta Râkşi, Mayilakkandi, Kâma-kandi, Nisâ-kandi, Naga Râkşi, and Minihis-kandi are invoked. Another R.-y.-kavi states that he is attended by two troops, each of 500 yakas; he has the face of a valiya and a club, and was born from a boat of blood; he was born from the left rib, his consort the Yakini from the right; they came to Kalugal-godälla in Ceylon; he is in league with the crocodile of the Blood Lake. Another R.-y.-k. says that he is under the protection of Sumana and Kanda; he was born from a clot of blood, dwells at the Lê-mal ("Blood-flower") sanctuary, and bathes in the Lê-vila; he has a red robe, a mace, and the semblance of a valiya; he caught the Sun in his noose, and tortured him; he rides on a goat or a bull; his height is 1 span 6 inches. A bali-rite is then prescribed. Another R.-y.-kavi states that he was born in Saurâştra from a boat of blood at the Blood Lake and again that he was conceived by the Yakini of the Blood Lake in the cemetery where Lê-kama Rai was cremated. He came to Vadiga-rata, quenched the pyre of the Malala Raja's 7 daughters, and restored them to life. He came with Devel Devi in a stone boat to Ceylon; there he joined Kalu Yaka. He possesses beautiful girls and makes them utter frantic noises. Another R.-y.-k. says that he was the son of Kairâ and queen Lê-tâli of Saurâstra; his foster-mother was Gini-rasta. He was born after 7 days 'on a Tuesday, under Jupiter. Yama gave him his authority, and he became a Yaka. He is under the protection of Saman, Siddha Pattini, the Ṛsis, the Seven Pattinis, Devol Deva, Vesamunu, Siddha Mangara, and the Yakas Avara-keli, Madana-keli, Sûniyan, and Mul Sanni. He carries the sun and moon on his head; rays like those of a Buddha flash from his red eyes; his face is blue; from his ears issues smoke, from his nose blood; his mouth is full of human flesh; he has a red jacket on his shoulders, a pool of blood on his breast, and a red waist-cloth; he rides on a red bull. A R.-y.-yadinna says he was the son of Nanda Kumari, and was born with a twin sister; he has 3 faces of a valiya, with a lake of blood on his head and eyes of 3 colours; he carries a cock and a sword; his height is 1 span 6 inches; he afflicted Vijaya Kumari in Sayirâstra with sickness. His influence is described in Gard-yak-pâliya. See also Amu-siri Kadavara, Devel Devi, Siri Yaka, Danipola Riri Yaka.
Riri Yakini. The female counterpart of R. Yaka; described in R.-yakṣani-gê kavi as born in the Lê-vila at Sairasta-nuvara, clad in a blood-red cloth, carrying two victims, drinking blood, and healing with the aid of the Sun.
Riti-gala Deviyo. Deities invoked in a Pitiya-devi-kave.