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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
Sharad-punema (the full-moon day of Ashvin) | the son of Sinhika, fearing lest the whole
in order to absorb the nectarine rays of the moon, and is drunk next morning. Drinking in the rays of the moon in this manner is believed to cure diseases caused by heat as well as eye-diseases, and it similarly strengthens the eyesight and improves the complexion, Sugar-candy thus exposed and preserved in an air-tight jar is partaken of in small quantities every morning to gain strength and to improve the complexion, The absorption of the lunar rays through the open mouth or eyes is also believed to be of great effect in achieving these objects.
of the nectar might be exhausted before the turn of the demons came, took the shape of a god and placed himself amongst them between Chandra (the moon) and Surya (thesun). The nectar was served to him in turn, but on Chandra and Surya detecting the trick, the demon's head was cut off by Vishnu's discus, the sudarshana-chakra Rahu however did not die: for he had tasted the nectar, which had reached his throat. The head and trunk lived and became immortal, the former being named Rähu, and the latter Ketu. Both swore revenge on Chandra and Sürya. At times, therefore, they pounce upon Chandra and Surya with the intention of devouring them. In the fight that ensues, Chandra and Surya are successful only after a long contest, with the assistance of the gods, and by the merit of the prayers that men offer1.
Once upon a time the gods and demons, by their united efforts, churned the occan and obtained therefrom fourteen ratnas or precious things. These were distributed among them. Lakshmi, the kaustubha jewel, the Sharnga bow and the conch-shell fell to the share of Vishnu, and the poison, Halähal visha, was disposed of to Shiva. Only two things remained, sudha, or nectar, and sura or liquor. To both gods and demons the nectar was the most important of all the prizes. A hard contest ensuing between them for the possession of it. the demons, by force, snatched the bowl of nectar from the gods. In this disaster to the gods, Vishnu came to their help in the form of Mohini-a most fascinating woman-and proposed to the demons that the distribution of the immortalising fluid should be entrusted to her. On their consent, Vishnu or Mohini, made the gods and the demons sit in opposite rows and began first to serve the nectar to the gods. The demon Rahu,
The reason of the eclipse is either that Chandra and Sürya bleed in the fight with Rahu and their forms get blackened; or that the demon Rahu comes between the two luminaries and this earth, and thus causes an eclipse; or because Rahu obstructs the sun and the moon in their daily course, and this intervention causes an eclipse; or because Rahu swallows the sun and the moon, but his throat being open, they escape, their short disappearance causing an eclipse.
Besides the mythological story, there is a belief in Gujarat that a bhangi (scavenger or sweeper), creditor of the sun and the moon, goes to recover his debts due from them, and that his shadow falling against either of them causes an eclipse."
1 The Schoolmasters of Rajpara, Limbdi, and Ibhrampur. 2 Mr. K. D. Desai.
The following Sanskrit verse mentions all of them:
3 The Shastri of Jetpur, Pathashala,
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लक्ष्मी : कौस्तुभपारिजातकसुरा धन्वंतरिश्चन्द्रमा । गावः कामदुहः सुरेश्वरगजो रम्भादिदेवाङ्गनाः ॥ अश्वः सप्तमुखो विषं हरिधनुः शंखोऽमृतं चांबुधेः । रत्नानीह चतुर्दश प्रतिदिनं कुर्वन्तु वो मंगलम् ॥ १ ॥
Rao Saheb P. B. Joshi,
The Schoolmasters of Jodia, Dhhank, Songadh, Rajpara, and Limbdi. The Schoolmaster of Khirasara.
7 Mr. Laxmichand Hemji, Vasawad,
Mr. D. K. Pandya, Dhhank.
8 Mr. G. K. Bhatt, Songadh.. Mr, K. P. Joshi, Limbdi.
