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CHAPTER III.
DISEASE DEITIES.
Such diseases as cholera and small-pox are believed to be brought on by the wrath of the Màtàs or Devis caused by neglecting to offer the usual oblations. In order to propitiate them, Bràhmans are engaged to recite the Chandipàth and to offer havans (sacrificial offerings). Very often the festival known as ujani is observed, in which all the villagers go outside the village to take their meals, and return home in the evening after witnessing the ahuti (the offering of cocoanuts to the sacrificial fire).*
Another belief personifies the diseases as malin or evil spirits who are fond of human prey. To ward them off, a dhàrà-vàdi, or stream of milk, is poured out in the village or a magic thread is passed round. The chariot of the Màtà is driven through the village with the same object.1
There is a popular tradition that in ancient times cholera was subjugated by king Vikrama, and was buried underground, Once upon a time the British excavated the place in the belief that treasure was concealed there, and thus cholera was released. After many soldiers had fallen victims, the disease deity was at last propitiated by an oblation, and was handed over to the Bhangis (or scavengers).2
1 The School Master of Luvaria,
3 The School Master of Kotda-Sangani,
This association of the Bhangis with cholera is present in most of the beliefs current about the disease. There is a story that once upon a time a number of students had put up in a house by which a Bhangi was in the habit of passing frequently. He daily used to hear the students reciting the sacred texts and this produced in his mind the desire to become a Sanskrit scholar. For this purpose, having concealed his low birth, he went to Benares and by diligent study, soon became a pandit. He even married a girl of high caste. But his imposture being at last discovered, he burnt himself to death, and his ashes gave rise to the disease known as cholera,3
At the present day, if the epidemic breaks out, the Bhangis are often suspected in some way or other of having brought it about. It is said that they make statues of the flour of adad (phascolus radiatus) and after piercing them with needles and pins, either throw them into the wells which are daily used by the villagers or bury them in a spot over which the people frequently pass. The whole affair is managed very secretly and at the dead of night. The slightest rumour of such proceedings causes a tumult in the village, and the Bhangis are then in danger of being severely handled by the enraged villagers.
2 The School Master of Jodia.
4 The School Masters of Jodia, Dadvi. and Songadh,
* Vide Question 19.
† A small wooden car five or six inches long is covered over with a piece of cotton cloth and the wooden image of a Màtà-Khodiàr or Kalkà-besmeared with red lead is placed upon it. the Màtà is then passed through the village on the shoulders of a low-caste person, to door and afterwards places the image at the gates of the neighbouring village.
by the people of that village to the next village and so on till it reaches the sea.-Mr. K. D. Desai,
This rath or chariot of who begs corn from door From thence it is removed
Sometimes the statues of adad flour are besmeared with red lead and afterwards are boiled in dirty water. The whole of this preparation is then thrown into wells, the waters of which are used for drinking in the village. The Schoolmaster of Songadh,
