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15. NON-JAINA CULTS CUSTOMS AND BELIEFS
407 The worship of Cupid was celebrated as a court festival in the spring amidst vernal sports, of which we have a lively picture in Yasastilaka, Book III. A further reference to the festivities in connection with the worship of of Cupid, in which the king participates, occurs in Book V.
Certain beliefs and customs belonging to the sphere of popular religion are recorded in Yasastilakc. The moon of the fourth lunar day was believed to cause disputes. A dove alighting inside a house was supposed to forebode its destruction. A number of evil omens describe with Yaśodhara's journey to the temple of Caņņikā in Book IV, e.g. the trumpeting of a female elephant at the commencement of a journey, the braying of a donkey from behind etc. A shower of crested tadpoles on a house was an evil portent indicating destruction of wealth and prosperity. Elephants were supposed to be possessed by a spirit named Madapuruşa, of terrible aspect, like lightning fire. Śrutasāgara in his commentary quotes a verse which enumerates the characteristics of Madapuruşa: he has sixteen hands, four jaws, red eyes and flaming hair."
Among popular customs referred to by Somadeva may be mentioned that of äjyāvekşana or looking into clarified butter in the morning to counteract the effects of evil dreams and obtain other salutary results. It was a practice observed by kings while Brāhmaṇas uttered blessings. The wellknown custom of nirajana or ceremonial waving of lights was observed as part of the evening rites to ensure the well-being of the king. A quantity of salt, thrown into the fire, after whirling it over the king's head, was supposed to counteract the evil eye, and this was also accompanied by the ceremony of offering boiled rice to the goblins on the roadside. This seems to have been followed by the act of nīrājana proper, which consisted in revolving lights beside the king. It was also customary to perform the nīrājana ceremony in honour of the royal horses and elephants on special occasions like the coronation of the king. 10
1 ' TU TEGETARIAATH'. 2 See Chap. II. 3 See Book III ( TTÅ Tiara') and Śrutasāgara's comm, thereon. 4 377TRTTTag: 91 T Mark Book III. 5 farefisnogohgfest sitrofag: 2. 72. 6 sowat 11Sa #goufafgaar fagotaHACHAY' Book III. 7 "मयूरग्रीवाभं चपलरसनं रक्तनयनं, चतुर्दष्ट्राहिंस्रं पृथुकरशिरोमेजठरम् । चलन्मुक्तं शङ्कुश्रणमदभयं षोडशभुजं
Saecotiara #2959927411". Tot seems to be a mistake for yzsta. 8 Yasastilaka 2. 96, 9 Ibid. 3. 476, 477 10 aprak analfsta: Book II.
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