Indian Antiquary Vol 23

SR No.: 032515
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 16 MB

Page 39

FEBRUARY, 1894.]
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
31
one of those trimmed leaves in his hand and it bent; so he caused oil and turmeric to be put on it. Then he asked Skyina Baidya what he should write on it.
Sayina Baidya dictated thus :-" you who have been serving my house as a barber from the time of my ancestors, know that from Sayina Baidya's house Kali is to be driven out and Lakshmi is to be invited instead. You must bring with you for that purpose all the instroments connected with your profession. Bring two pairs of razors, a pair of scissors, a small cap for holding water, tweezers, and a glass in which the face can be reflected. Kali is to be driven out from the persons of the children, whom the Balla! has caused to be brought up. Immediately on seeing this letter, in whatever dress you may be in at the time, and even though you may be taking your food, you must start, taking your box with you, and following the man I have sent you."
He then asked for a man to be the bearer of the letter. Vanappa Bhandani, the son of his mother's sister, was sent for. Sayina Baidya paid him the expenses of the jourdey, and of his family during his absence, and tied the letter in the skirt of his garment, Vanappa Bhandari then started, and passing out of the yard of Sayina's house went on his way straight to the Svâmin's residence on the ghits.
He stood at the gate and called ont:- "Iså of Karmi." The first call Isara heurd, but made no answer. The second he answered, and at the third he came out, enquiring who called him.
"It is I and no one else," was the answer, and Vaņappa Bhandari undid the skirt of his garment and gave the letter to the barber.
Isara Kambi then opened the letter, extended the leaf to its full length, and read it. Immediately on reading it, he rose from his dinner, and in the dress he wore at the time he set out, taking all his instruments with him; and, following the man sent to him, he descended into the low country, and came to Sayina Baidya's house. He was asked to name all the things required for the ceremony.
"Five bundles of betel-leaves, five areca-nuts, a cocoanut having three eyes, a sér of green rice, and cow's milk, are wantod," replied the barber.
He was supplied with all the things required for his part of the business. All the friends of Sayina Baidya assembled ; a small bower of plantain trees was formed, festoons of cocoanut leaves were hung up, the inner part of the roof was ceiled, and the ground was covered with a carpet.
The children of Sayina Baidya together with the friends, who were assembled, circnmambulated the bower, the boys being seated within it. Then the pouring of rice on their heads began. First the barber poured it, next Sayina Baidya, and last of all, Sayina Baidyati, mother of Kantanņņa.
Then the barber, holding the left cheek by bis hand, began his work on the right check of Koti. The front part of his head he shaved and made figures of the sun and the moon; and on the back of the head he made the figures of Bhîma and Arjuna. Thus the tonsure of Koti Baidya was finished, and he was lifted by the hand.
Lamps were waved before his brother's face, too, in a plate filled with rubies. Coral was thrown on Channayya's head, and his head, too, was shaved, and figures of the sun and the moon formed on the front part, and figures of Bhima and Arjuna on the back. The tonsure of both was thus over, and they were now to bathe themselves, and wash away the pollution of being shaved.
For this purpose they got ready the juice of several kinds of leaves growing in dry and wet paddy fields; and uddu, and pods of green gram, and several substances for washing away oil; also a thousand pots of bot water and a thousand pots of cold water. They warmed themselves by bathing in the hot water, and cooled themselves by bathing in the cold water.