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ALPHABETICAL GUIDE TO SINHALESE FOLKLORE
Susubi. Mother of Oddisa. Suva Raja. See Palanga.
Svarna Devi. A deity who played the drum on Maha-sammata's coronation (see Drums). Tahancl. One T.-kavi or "taboo-poem" is used at weddings to exorcise evil influences from the betel to be eaten there, the torch, the garden-gate, the 4 sides of the garden, the oloth laid along the path, the seats, the building in which the rite is performed and the lustratory water-vase. The bride's party in some verses are imagined to oppose the entrance of the bridegroom's company, who in some other verses overcome their opposition. Another T.-k.contains verses alternately forbidding and permitting the advance of the wedding party through the garden to the bride's house.
Takari Yakini. A female demon dwelling in one tooth of the cobra (see Cobra.)
Takṣa Raja. Father of Yama-dati.
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Tala-gas. See Palm.
Talatú. A demon in the legend of the plague of Visâlâ, q. v.
Tamanêrtta. Younger brother of Vîra-muṇḍa.
Tanhankara. See Buddha.
Tani Kadavara. "The Solitary Spirit," worshipped in K.-gotu-pidavila.
Tanipola Riri Yaka. In one T.-r.-y.-kavi this demon ("Rîri of the wilderness. apparently a phase of Rîri Yaka, q. v.,) is invoked to come from the 8 regions-from the east, from the Blood Lake (Riri-vila) with his "blood-noose," with authority of Saman); from the south-east, from the Rîri-gal temple rock, with authority of Kataragama Deva; from the west, as son of queen Raira-giri, with authority of Visu; from the south-west, as howling at the junctions of three roads, and receiving offerings of sandal scent and fried grain, with authority of the Rsis; from the south-west (?) as laughing with a cry like that of a heron at the Blood Lake and clapping his hands, with authority of Davel Deva; again from the south-east (?), from the eastern Amu-sohona cemetery, with blood oozing from his mouth, with authority of Yama; from the north, from the Ruduru-parvata, with authority of the Seven Pattinis. He burst the earth and sprang forth; he spreads snares; his face is the colour of blood. In another T.r.-y.-kavi he is said to be fond of fair children and to attack women who have been recently confined; to haunt the "Blood-lake" and to sleep in the "Blood-boat"; to assume the form of a valiya (monkey or forester); to carry a club, and stab mortals in the breast with a sword; to tear open fowls and drink their blood; to devour children and drag corpses about on his shoulder; to ride on a bull, and to have matted hair and blood dripping from the corners of his mouth; and to be under the protection of Saman, Visņu, and Yama. He haunts lonely spots, where he seizes upon his victims. For his worship a platform 7 spans high and 7 wide is made, with 4 gates, on the middle stage of which red rice is offered. Another T.-r.-y.-kavi, invoking him in company with a Yakini to receive offerings of a red cock, blood, and red rice, says that he was born from the left ribs; he has a lake of blood on his breast, many golden jewels, the face of a valiya, and a mace; he was sent to earth by Vesamunu of Kuvera-pura; he appears as an infant to sleeping women, who suckle him. He is here invoked to come by the power of Devel Dava from the east, by that of Yama from the south-east, by that of lévara from the south,
