Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 155

THE PA V AD AM SACRIFICE 115 begin by arresting the person who is the cause of the assem- and then they erect at a short distance from the blage house a small tent, which is quickly surrounded by many rows of Vishnavites. The chiefs select some member of the sect who is willing to be sacrificed, and he is exhibited to the crowd who have come to witness the spectacle. They make a slight incision in his arm from which blood flows, and the victim then appears to grow weaker and weaker, until he falls fainting to the ground, where he remains motionless. The victim, who of course is only feigning death, is then carried to the tent which has been erected for the purpose, and around which the Vishnu- bhaktas group themselves, taking great care that no one shall approach who does not belong to their sect. Others watch the house of him who has been the cause of the ceremony. All this time the whole multitude are shouting and screaming at the top of their voices, which, added to the banging of the gongs and the harsh and lugubrious notes of the sangus, produces a din and confusion of sounds as indescribable as they are unbearable. This fearful hubbub continues until the offending party has paid the fine imposed on him, which is generally far beyond his means. However, the inhabitants of the village and neigh- bourhood, exasperated beyond all measure, usually try and make some agreement with the leader of the fanatics, and, paying them part of the stipulated sum, entreat them to bring the ceremony of the pavadam to a speedy termina- tion, and to return to their homes. When their demands have been satisfied the headmen retire to the tent, and restore the dead man to life. To bring about this miracle an incision is made in the thigh of somebody amongst them. The blood which flows from it is collected in a vessel, and then sprinkled over the body of the victim. By virtue of this simple ceremony the pretended dead man comes back to life, in the best possible health. He is then again shown to the spectators, who appear thoroughly convinced of the reality of this marvellous resurrection \ In order to consummate the expiation of the crime or ; 1 The pavadam is of ferocious temper. part of the country. probably called after Pavadammai, a minor deity The ceremony is not observed nowadays in any Ed.