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Sec. VIII]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
263
At the time of the consecration (ceremonial bath), the same custom was observed by the retiring householder who was seated facing the eastern directio n1 or forward' on a bathing seat. While going by palanquin on the way to his undertaking the state of houselessness he sat always facing eastwards or forward. Observance of auspicious moment of stars, dates, etc.
The people of that period followed the rule of auspicious stars, dates (tithis), etc. in the matter of the performance of their different ceremonies with the belief that their actions, if begun at those moments, would be fruitful and lead to prosperity and happiness. Thus it is found in the case of Mahabala that at the moment of constellation of star of auspicious lunar days his parents caused him to accept the hands of eight princesses after the performance of due ceremonies. Similarly, there are instances of observance of auspicious dates by the householders on various occasions.
It is stated in the BhS that a Brahmana, Bahula by name, entertained other Brahmanas with abundant best food mixed with honey and clarified butter on the day of pratipada (first moon) of Karttika".
Further, the custom of observing auspicious festivals is evidenced in the lamenting utterances of the mother of the prince Jamālī at the time of his leaving the worldly life to undertake the state of houselessness. She, shedding unbearable tears due to the pangs of separation of her son, said thus: "This tuft of hair of our Jan ali (cut off by the barber) will be the last sight (apacchima darisana) in many tithis (dates), parvanis (festivities) utsavas (festivals), yajñas (sacrifices) and chanas (Indrotsava festival of Indra, etc.).
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It follows from this account that the people believed in and observed the custom of preserving the hair of the departed dear ones to keep up their remembrance and to have consolation from the sight of their cut off hairs.
1 BhS, 13, 6, 491.
4 Ib, 15, 1, 541.
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2 Ib, 9, 33, 385. 5 Ib, 9, 33, 385.
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Ib, 11, 11, 430.
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