Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 215

SACRIFICES OFFERED TO FIRE
175
In the yagnam, a name which comprises the third and
fourth Brahminical privileges, the sacrifice called homam
is apparently included, for the homam of the Rajahs is
Every Brahmin must perform the
totally different.
homam at least once a day. It is a sacrifice offered to
1
fire under various circumstances
This sacrifice is made by lighting a brazier, which is
Into this are thrown
then consecrated by mantrams.
small pieces of wood, gathered from one of the seven
sacred trees, and afterwards a little melted butter and
cooked rice these offerings being accompanied by suitable
mantrams. The homam is almost invariably followed by
another sacrifice, which is specially offered to fire, but only
the ordinary puja is performed. I think by the word
yagnam may be understood all sacrifices which are accom-
.
;
panied by mantrams.
The
fifth privilege of the Brahmins, namely, the giving
alms and presents, is much less to their taste than the
It must, how-
sixth, in which the operation is reversed.
ever, be admitted that rich Brahmins display a lavish
But
hospitality, besides being charitable in other ways.
of
members of their own caste the rest of the
race is, if not detested, at least absolutely of no
account so far as they are concerned.
Amongst the gifts which Brahmins are willing to receive
They
there are some which are more specially acceptable.
and they
are called the pancha-danas, or the five gifts
The last-men-
are gold, land, clothes, grain, and cows.
tioned gift causes them particular pleasure, seeing that
milk in various forms is their principal food. Brahmins
also possess large landed properties originally given them
by generous princes and on which they pay no taxes.
These descend from father to son, and always retain their
immunity from taxation. As a rule Brahmins do not culti-
vate their lands themselves, but lease them out to the
Sudras, taking half the crops as rent.
The Brahmins generally live on their lands, which are
this is only to
;
human
;
The sacrifice made to fire, or by means of fire, is a form of idolatry
by no means peculiar to the Hindus. It is well known to what great
lengths Persians, Chaldeans, and other ancient races carried super-
1
stition
with respect to
it.
Dubois.