Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 169

PRIESTLY MAGNIFICENCE
129
instruments precede them, and numberless flags of all
colours, on which are painted pictures of their gods, flutter
The procession is headed
in the midst of the cavalcade.
by heralds, some of whom sing verses in the high priest's
honour, while the rest go on ahead and warn the passers-by
to clear the way and to pay the homage and respect that
All along the route incense and other per-
are his due *.
fumes are burnt in the high priest's honour new cloths
triumphal
are perpetually spread for him to pass over
arches called toranams, made of branches of trees, are
erected at short intervals
bevies of professional prosti-
tutes and dancing-girls form part of the procession, and
relieve each other at intervals, so that the obscene songs
and lascivious dances may continue uninterruptedly 2 This
magnificent spectacle attracts great crowds of people,
who prostrate themselves before the guru, and, after
having offered him their respectful homage, join the rest
of the crowd and make the air ring with their joyful
;
;
;
.
shouts.
The gurus
rank make a show in proportion to
Those who belong to the sect of Vishnu
known by the name of Vaishnavas generally travel on
some sorry steed. Some are even reduced to walking on
foot.
The Pcmdarams and Jangamas, priests of Siva, go
on horseback or in a palanquin, but their favourite mode
of progression is riding on an ox.
Gurus, as a rule, rank first in society. They often
their
of inferior
means.
1
The custom amongst persons of high rank, such as gurus, kings,
princes, and governors of provinces, of being preceded on their march
by heralds, singing their praises, is very general in India. These heralds
give a long account of their master's noble origin, of his exalted rank, of
his boundless power, his virtues, and his many excellent qualities
and
they admonish the public to pay the respect and homage which are due
to so great a personage.
This custom, though of Hindu origin, has been
;
adopted by the Mahomedans. It appears, as may be seen from the
writings of both sacred and secular authors, that the practice of being
preceded by heralds dates from very ancient times see Genesis xli. 43 ;
Esther vi. 8 ; and there are several other passages in the Bible where
such heralds are spoken of. Dubois.
2
This picture is greatly exaggerated.
professional
Nowhere do
prostitutes and dancing-girls
form part of processions in honour of
gurus.
On the contrary, prostitutes are not allowed to approach these
—
'
'
holy men.
DUBOIS
Ed.
£