Samipya 1992 Vol 09 Ank 01 02

Author(s): Pravinchandra C Parikh, Bhartiben Shelat
Publisher: Bholabhai Jeshingbhai Adhyayan Sanshodhan Vidyabhavan

Page 80

Acharya Shri Kailassagarsur Gyanmandir
very wide viz. birds, tortoises, alligators, fish, nine species of wild animals, buffaloes, bulls, he-goats, wild boars, rhinoceros, antelopes, iguanas, rein-deer, lions, and tigers. Blood drawn from one's own body may also be offered. Ordinarily, females of all the animals are exempted from sacrifice, 15 but when mass sacrifices are offered, the distinction between the male and female is not observed. The horses and the elephants are not accepted by the goddess, they are meant only for special sacrifices by the Kings. The Yogini Tantra enlarges the list and includes also monkey amongst sacrificial animals. While worshipping the goddess on the cremation ground only the buffaloes are sacrificed and spirituous liquor is a constant accompaniment to the blood offering.16
Though this rite is very ancient prevailing in pre-Aryan stages, still it enjoys very important place in the Tantras, and the Purāņas also mention it but with a hesitation. From time to time the Purāņas go on saying that this is Taması worship and this worship is meant for the kings only and this should not be performed by everyone. All this goes to show that the Purānas were assimilating the practices of the Tantras but with some precautions and modifications. Among Vagharis the animal sacrifice is inevitable at the time of performing Jatar and other ceremonies in the 'Madh' of Goddess Meladı and other goddesses but there are some temples where the animal sacrifice is prohibited, particularly at village Nana Harania of Bhavnagar district, where not only the animal sacrifice is prohibited but the red colour is prohibited at the time of offering Naivedya. Even the rice cooked for such Naivedya must be white in colour, if the rice catches red colour, it is discarded.
It is learnt that the animal sacrifice is common but the birds and animals which are the vehicles of their Goddesses are not slauttered viz. the cock is not slauttered because it is the vehicle of Goddess Bahuchar Mata. Similarly, camel is the vehicle of Goddess Shakti, dog is the vehicle of Haddkh Mata. He-buffalo is the vehicle of Vihat Mātā, the crocodile is the vehicle of Khodiyar Mātā. So these birds and animals are not slauttered or offered as homage to respective Goddesses. Moreover, the pigeons, peocock and female animals and female birds are not offered.
It is further imprest upon the minds of the people that even if animal sacrifice is prevented or prohibited, it will not be effective. The Goddess manages the act of sacrifice. This is narrated in a legend that in the past, animal sacrifice was prohibited by Mahajan of 'chotila' and no sacrifice was offered to Goddess Meladi at Madh' near village Reshamia, but a goat came of its own accord at the time due for sacrifice and started dashing its head near the Madh of Mātă (goddess) and died on the spot.
Diseases
Some diseases are attributed to devils or some other, evil spirits.
The Bhūvās or exorcists are believed to have control over them, and are supposed to be able to detect an illness caused by spirits. In such cases, the Bhūvās drive Vagharis of Gujarat : An Ancient Tribe !
[ 25