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THE FOLKLORE OF GUJARAT
141
To the south of Kolki there is a site of a Other remedies for the cure of snake bite, deserted village. It is believed to contain are as follows: a buried treasure which is guarded by a
The patient is made to wear a cotton snake with white moustaches. This snake is
thread in the name of Charmàlia Nàg, seen roaming about the place.
Sharmalin Någ, or Vasangi Nàg, and cerIt is related that a Brāhman once read in
tain observances, as stated above, are promised an old paper that there was a treasure buried under a Shami tree in Deola. He
to the snake deity. communicated the information to the Thakor
The ends of peacock feathers are pounded of Dhrol who secured the treasure by i
and smoked in a chilum (clay pipe) by the excavating the place. The Bràbman went
patient.5 to worship the spot, but was buried alive. A moharo (stone found in the head of a The Thakor buried the treasure in his castle, snake supposed to be a cure for snake poison) but the Brāhman, becoming a snake, guarded is applied to the wound caused by the bite. the treasure and allowed none to touch it. All It absorbs the poison, and on being dipped attempts to dig it up were frustrated by into milk, transfers the poison to the milk. attacks of bees and the appearance of a | Thus it can be used any number of times. snake.
There is a Giràsia in Lakhtar who is A Kshatriya named Dev Karan, while the believed to cure patients suffering from snake foundation of his house was being dug, poison. As soon as a person is bitten by a found a treasure guarded by a snake. He snake, one of the garments worn by him is killed the snake by pouring boiling oil over taken to the Giràsia, who ties it into a knot it and secured the treasure.
and this cures the patient. A Kunbi of Malia, while digging a pit for There is a Bava in Rajpara, a village near storing corn, found a large vessel filled Anandpur. He and all the members of his with costly coins guarded by a snake. He
family are reputed to be able to cure snakekilled the snake and secured the vessel.2 bites. When a person is bitten by a snake,
There are many practices in vogue to he or a friend goes to the Bàvà's house and render the poisonous bite of a snake ineffec- informs him or any member of his family tive.
of the occurrence. The Bava or the person If the man bitten by a snake be bold, he who receives the intimation folds into a cuts off the bitten part.
knot a garment of the informant, which he Some have the bitten part branded.
afterwards unfolds. As soon as this is done, Those who have no ulcer in the mouth suck the poison, and spit it out.
the patient is in great pain, loses his The powder of the fruit of the Nol Vel
senses, is seized with convulsions and tells is also administered with water.
why the snake bit him. Thereupon the Sometimes emetics and purgative medi-
relatives of the patient implore the pardon
relatives of the patient cines are given.
of the snake, which is granted on condition A mixture of pepper and clarified butter that the patient should give alms to the is also believed to be efficacious,
poor,
· The School Master of Kolki,
3 The School Master of Todia. 3 The School Master of Dbánk.
• The School Master of Kotda Sangani. 5 The School Mistress, Barton Female Training The D. E. Inspector, Halår. College, Rajkot.
The Scbool Master of Lilápur . The School Master of Anandpur.
