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92
Ganesh Thite
salt and grains-this inixture kept for a fortnight is a means of making white The flour of white mustard seeds, kept for half a month in a bitter gourd while still on the creeper is a means of making hair white. The insect that is known as Alojuna and the white house-lizard-hair smeared with this paste would become as white as a conch-shell (XIV. 2 6-10).
Similarly, there are mystical, magical techniques of mak ing one's colour black Thus one, bathing in a decoction of vata, and smeared with the pulp of Saha cara, become black (XIV 216 ) Yellow orpiment and red arsenic mixed with the oil of Sakuna and Kangu, are a means of making dark (XIV. 2.17)
In addition to these there are many techniques mentioned in the Arthasastra for working out some miracles These tech. niques are also of magical sort. Thus after fasting for three days, and three nights one should on the Pusya day, sow Tuvali-seeds in earth in the skull of a man killed with a weapon or impaled on the stake, and sprinkle them with water When grown, he should take them on the Pusya day itself and twist them into a rope Then the cutting of it in front of bows and machines fitted with strings causes the snapping of these strings (XIV. 3.64-66).
In the same manner one should fast for three days and nights and sow Guñjā-seeds in earth in the skull of a man killed with a weapon or impaled on the stake, and sprinkle them with water. When grown, he should take them on the Pusya day itself and twist them into a rope. Then the cutting of it in front of bows and machines fitted with strings causes the snapping of those strings (XIV 3.64-65).
In the same manner one should fast for three days and nights and sow Guñjā-seeds in earth in the skull of a man killed with a weapon or impaled on the stake, and sprinkle them with water. When they have grown, one should cause the Guñjā creepers to be taken on the new moon night or full moon night when there is conjunction of the moon with Pusya-constellation, and make rings out of them. Vessels with
