Indian Antiquary Vol 46

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

Page 486

138
THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
ving her husband. Since then women perform A belief prevails that an insane maiden is a vow called Vat Savitri Vrat on the 13th, 14th cured of her insanity if married to the field and 15th days of the bright half of Jetha by god Kshetrapàl.10 observing a fast and worshipping and circum- If a girl attains puberty before marriage, ambulating the banyan tree. 1
she is married to a Pipal tree. A girl with There is a legend that in' mythological times congenital deformities is also married to a a woman named Vrinda was cursed to be a Pipal tree.11 plant for infidelity to her husband. She It is generally believed that if a betrothed became the Tulsi (sweet basil), which is held girl touches red lead, she is carried away by sacred by Hindus, and worshipped by women? | Kshetrapal.12
On the top of the hill in the village of Jas- The belief that Kshetrapal carries away the dan there are two tall trees called 'mad trees' bride from the marriage altar is so common, As the fruits of these trees resemble the face that a stone representing the god is placed on of a saint, they are considered divine and the marriage altar and touched by the bridal worshipped with offerings of red lead, oil and pair at every turn round the sacrificial fire. 13 cocoanuts.3
If this is not done, disastrous consequences Amongst Rajputs, during the marriage follow, to avert which, that portion of the ceremony, the bride has to walk four times marriage ceremony in which Kshetrapàl is proround the sacrificial fire in the company of the pitiated has to be performed a second time 14 bridegroom. Two of these turns are generally Disagreement between husband and wife taken with a wooden blade called Khandu. soon after marriage is attributed to the wrath
When a girl loses her betrothed twice in of Kshetrapàl. To bring about a reconcilation succession, she is married to a Pipal tree before between them, they are taken to a triangular being betrothed for the third time.5
field and married there to please the god. 16 If the betrothed husband of a girl dies before All Hindus worship the snake. The day the celebration of the marriage, she is married especially devoted to its worship is the fifth to a Pipal or Ankda (a poisonous plant) in the day of the bright half of Shravan, which is belief that the danger of death will fall on the called Nag panchami. In some places Nag tree, and that the next husband of the girl will panchami is observed on the 5th day of the survive.
dark half of Shrávan. On this day an If a man loses two wives one after the other, image of a snake is made of cowdung or he is married to a Shami tree before he is earth, or its picture is drawn on the wall. married again, and his third marriage is called The image is worshipped as a deity, and the fourth.7
kulera, a mixture of wheat, oat or rice flour, In some places, such a man is married to clarified butter, and sugar or molasses is a Bordi (Zizyphus Jujuba) instead of a offered to it. After worship, the members Shami.8
of the household take their meal and eat In some places, if a man's wives do not live, kulera, cocoanuts and cucumbers. Only one his next wife is married to an Ankdi plant meal is taken on this day by men and before her marriage with him.
women, 16
1 The School Master of Limbdi. 3 The School Master of Jasdan.
The School Masters of Dhank and Mavaiya. Mr. K, D. Desãi. • The School Master of Khiràsasa. u The School Master of Vanod. 13 The School Masters of Uptela and Limbdi. 15 The School Master of Kotda Sangani.
• The School Master of Ganod. 4 The School Masters of Dhank and Dadvi. 6 The School Master of Ganod. 8 The School Master of Dhank, 10 The School Master of Dbank. 12 The School Master of Chbatràsa. 1/ The School Master of Zinzavada. 16 The Schoolmistress, Barton Female Training
College, Rajkot.