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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
When a child suffers from the disease, it is often weighed against dates, which are first dedicated to the goddess, and then distributed amongst the poor. The child is taken to bow down before the goddess after nine or ten days from the date of attack, and the mother of the child offers several things to the Màtà, among which are grapes, sugar, a pinch of flour, a small earthen bowl full of water, and a blank sheet of paper.2
Different things are dedicated to the goddess according as the disease affects one part of the body or another. For instance, flour of bajrà or juvàri is offered in case of bronchitis; silver models of the human eye when the disease affects the eyes; a goras (a black earthen vessel full of curds) in case of morbid heat; a piece of black paper, in high fever, and salt if there is an itching sensation, The Màtà is said to live on cold food and to be very fond of things which have a cooling effect such as fruits, sugar, etc. The same things are given to the patient as food.
To secure the protection of Shitalà Màtà for their children, women annually observe the vow of shili sàtem on the 7th day of the dark half of Shravan. On this day the Màtà is said to visit every house and to roll herself on the hearth: No fire is, therefore, lighted in the hearth on this day: for if the Màtà comes and is scorched by the fire she is sure to bring misfortune on that household. For this reason, a number of dainties and all the food necessary for the day is prepared on the previous day. On the day of shili sàtem, juvàri seeds are spread on the hearth, and after being sprinkled with red lac, a cowdung bowl containing a plant called vana is placed upon them. The women of the house bathe with cold water and take only one meal during the day.
The School Master of Jodia.
3 The Deputy Educational Inspector of Hàlar.
5 The School Masters of Dhank and Ganod.
They further abstain from sewing and embroidering during that day. Sometimes a Brahman is engaged to recite the Shitala shloka from a book called Rudrayamal.
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The following legend is related of shili sàtem. A certain woman once forgot to extinguish the fire in her hearth on Rundhan Chhetha (lit, cooking sixth), i, e., the day previous to shili sàtem. On the next day, the Màtà was scorched in the stomach when she came to roll herself on the hearth. In extreme anger the goddess cursed the woman saying that her only son would be burnt to death; and immediately the boy died. In her anguish the unfortunate mother confessed her fault to a friend, who advised her to go to the jungle and entreat the Màtà to give back her son. She found the goddess rolling in distress under a babul tree. The woman slowly approached her, and began to comb out the Màtà's hair. She then placed her son in the Màtà's lap and entreated the goddess to revive the boy. The Màtà felt much relieved by the woman's attentions and blessed her saying that her bosom should be as quiet as her own head. Immediately, at these words, the boy revived, to the intense joy of his mother."
Women whose relatives have recovered from a dangerous attack of small-pox observe a vow on every sàtem, i. e., the 7th day of the dark half of every month. They first bathe with cold water and, after offering an oblation of kulerà, take their meals only once during the day. This food has to be prepared on the previous day.
Shitalà Màtà is described as riding an ass in a nude state with the half of a supadun (a winnowing fan) for an umbrella and with a swing in one hand, and a broom in the other. But more usually the Màtà is represented by a mere trunkless head in
The School Master of Sayala. The School Master of Zinzuwada. The School Master of Vanod.
7 The School Master of Ganod.
