________________
The Unknown Pilgrims
and then addresses a brief speech to the congregation.52
The tonsure and clothing ceremony
This part of the rite happens outside the maṇḍapa. The vairāgiņi, accompanied by the three young women and followed by several sādhvis, leaves the maṇḍapa by the side-entrance and repairs to a room in a neighbouring house. Here the dis-possession starts: behind a curtain, the vairāgini, with the aid of a sadhvi, takes off her beautiful clothes in order to put on a simple green sädi. They then place around her neck a large square of green material stamped with the svastika.53 The barber arrives with all his equipment and one of the sadhvis proceeds to trace with kumkum a tilaka on his forehead.54 The rite of munda, that is, complete tonsure except for one small tuft, is begun, the barber utilising the water contained in the jar marked with a svastika. As the beautiful locks fall on to the green cloth, the young women dressed in red shed tears, but the future sädhvi is smiling. The hair is punctiliously gathered up. When the tonsure is completed, one of the sadhvis outlines on the bare head a large svastika with the kumkum. Then follows the rite of pañcamuṣṭi-luñcana, the pluckingout of five locks of hair by the guruņi and some sadhvis.55 Next, behind the curtain, the vairagini puts on the clothing of the śramaņis and the muhapatti is fixed in place. During the clothing she recites the Namaskara-mantra. The little procession then sets off again, this time from the room round to the main entrance of the mandapa, a guard of honour lining the path on either side.
462
52 This is entirely optional.
53 The green colour is not essential; like red, it is a propitious colour.
54 Kumkum: red powder; tilaka: a mark on the forehead with religious or decorative signification.
55
To imitate the tirthankaras and Rājimati, and as sign of austerity. Usually at the time of dikṣa the head is shaved and only 5 locks are plucked out; among the Terapantis there is no tonsure during the dikṣā, but there is keśa-luncana, the plucking-out of the hair. Cf. AS II, 15, 23; US XXII, 24; 30; P 547.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
