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OF THE HINDUS.
201
avoid inferring, from the general character of the prayers and observances, and the sanctity evidently attached to a recurring seventh day, some connexion with the sabbath, or seventh, of the Hebrew Heptameron.
Bhísimásh'í Amí. — Twenty-third of Mágha, eighth lunar day of the light half (7th February).—This is a festival which, at first sight, appears to be of special and traditional origin, but which has, probably, its source in the primitive institutes of the Hindus, of which the worship of the Pitiis, the patriarchs or progenitors, the Dii Manes, constituted an important element. According to the Tithi Tattwa, this day is dedicated to Bhishma, the son of Gangá, and great uncle of the Pandava and Kaurava princes; who was killed in the course of the great war, and dying childless left no descendant in the direct line, on whom it was incumbent to offer him obsequial honours. In order to supply this defect, persons in general are enjoined to make libations of water on this day to liis spirit, and to offer him sesamum seeds and boiled rice. The act expiates the sins of a whole year: one of its peculiarities is, that it is to be observed by persons of all the four original castes, according to a text of Dhavala, an ancient lawgiver, quoted by Raghunan
सप्तसप्तिवहप्रीत सप्तलोकप्रदीपन ।
सप्तम्यां हि नमस्तुभ्यं नमो ऽनन्ताय वेधसे ॥ Sabdakalpadrunia s. v. Saptamí p. 5896, 6 (comp. p. 3396, b) and, with some various readings, Nirúayasindhu, 1. 1.]
