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 49

FEBRUARY, 1894.]
THE DEVIL WORSHIP OF THE TULUVAS.
39
“ You had better give us our implements; if not, we will reduce you to Buddyanta's condition."
Henring this, he went in, and, stretching his hands to the rafters of his roof, he took down the broken plough-share, the decayed plough-tail, and the injured plough-shoe, and threw them away, saying :
"Let the instruments, which were used to furrow the earth, henceforward furrow your breasts."
"Ah! you son of a paltry courtezan, shall the implements used to farrow the earth farrow our breasts P"
Saying this Channayya Baidya held him by the head and broke his neck. He hurled him to the ground, so that he fell on his back. He looked at his neck and at his breast, and with his silver-hilted dagger stabbed the plough-wright in the breast. The plough-wright vomited all his food, and the wound streamed forth blood. The plough-wright fled from his body to Kailasa, and they said to the corpse :
« Drink a bellyful of rain water, repair old ploughs, and make new ones." So saying they went on, and, on the way, & Washerman said to them :" What are those cries of men and groans of women in that plough-wright's house ?"
They answered him :-“We kindled a fire, a spark flew from it and barnt a shed; therefore are the inmates of the house crying out."
“Wherever you go, there ruin will never be wanting; and wherever the crab goes, there dirt will never be wanting," said the washerman,
“Do you compare us to a fish that lives in the water? You whoreson! You that live by washing the clothes of others!” said the brothers; and holding him by the head broke his neck. They rolled him on the ground, so that he lay on his back. The centre of his breast they stabbed three times, and they then said to the corpse :
"Bring dirty clothes, clean them, and eat your bellyful." Saying thus, they proceeded on their way, and came to a small river. They washed their hands, feet, faces and bodies in it. After washing themselves they sat down by the foot of an asvattha tree, and, having sat down, they undid a small bag containing betel-leaves, areca-nut and the like, and chewed pieces of areca-nut, and pancholi betel-leaves. They ate white lime and Sûrat tobacco. They tied up the bag, and went on chewing the betel-leaves.
There was toll gate on the way, and as they approached it, the toll-man Dore saw them noming and asked them who they were. They said that they were travellers.
“Look! there is the toll gate: pay me the toll before going away," said the toll-man.
"Toll! what is it on P Do we carry any packs on our heads? Did you see any loads on our backs? Is it on any cattle that we have brought with us? Have we brought a whole family with us " said the brothers.
To this the toll-man Dêre answered: “The toll on the steel-dagger, five feet long, that you carry with you, amounts to a cash. Pay that to me and then go away."
The brothers said :-"Never has any man set so low a price on our dagger, and now you have been born !"
"Is it wonderful that you should be asked to pay the toll? If the son of a Bant should pass this way, he would pay toll on the slippers on his feet. Should the Betti's son Shenaye pass, he would pay toll on the white umbrella in his hand. If the son of a king should pass this way, he would pay toll on his palankin," said the toll-man.
“You may proceed, I shall pay the toll to Dêre and follow you," said Channayya to his elder brother.