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little esteem, and is evidently compounded of the observances of various eras, -all of which are equally little understood, although the compound is manifestly of a purificatory er expiatory character.
RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
SHAT TILA DANAM.-Twenty-seventh Magha, twelfth day of the light half (11th February).-This may be considered as in some sort a continuation of the Bhaimyekádaśí, and is intended for the same object -the removal or expiation of sin. As the name implies, six different acts are to be performed, in all which Tila, or sesamum seeds, are an essential ingredient. The person who observes the rite is to bathe in water in which they have been steeped-to anoint himself with a paste made of them-to offer them with clarified butter upon fire-to present them with water to the manes of his ancestors-to eat them-to give them away*. The consequences of so doing are purification from sin, exemption from sickness and misfortune, and a sojourn in Indra's heaven for thousands of years. According to the Brahma Puráńa, Yama, the deity of the infernal regions, created Sesamum after long and arduons penance upon this day, whence its sanctity. The same title and the same virtues are sometimes attributed also to the twelfth of the dark fortnight of the month, as was explained
[तिलोद्वर्त्ती तिलस्नायी तिलहोमी तिलप्रदः । facyfaqqıût a qzfadı aradięfa II Tithitattvam, quoted in the Sabdakalpadruma, p. 5655, a.]
