Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Seite 268

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AVERTING THE EVIL EYE
most complete union, and
is
the most unmistakable proof
of friendship that two persons closely united could possibly
Later on the wife will be allowed to eat
give each other.
what her husband leaves, but never again will she be
permitted to eat in company with him. This is a favour
is only granted her on her wedding-day.
Their meal finished, the newly married couple go outside,
preceded by music, and accompanied by the women sing-
The purohita
ing, by all the guests, and by the purohita.
points out to them a small star called Arundhati, the wife
of the Penitent Vasishta, which is to be found near the
The couple nrnke a deep reverence to the star
pole-star.
and return to the house in the same procession \ There
This ter-
the women perform the ceremony of aratti.
minates the ceremonies of the first day, called muhurta, or
the great day.
I will spare my readers the details of the ceremonies
which occupy the four following days, and which, as a rule,
What little
are merely a repetition of those just described.
These cere-
variety there is, is much in the same style.
monies are interspersed with the most innocent games and
amusements, which would appear to us utterly ridiculous,
and only suitable for little children, but which afford them
the greatest pleasure and infinite amusement.
Amongst the second day's ceremonies one of the most
extraordinary is when they place a sort of ornament, called
bassinam, on the forehead of both the husband and wife.
This bassinam is covered with gold-leaf or gold paper, and
flowers are entwined round it. The object of the bassinam
is to avert the effects of the drishti-dosha or evil eye, the
spell which is cast by the looks of jealous or ill-disposed
Placed thus on the most conspicuous part of the
people.
body it is supposed to attract the eyes of the malevolent,
and thus prevent them exercising their malign influence
on the persons of the newly married couple.
Amongst the ceremonies which take place on the third
day there is a peculiar one. The husband, as usual, per-
forms the sacrifice of the komam and another to fire, and
which
1
Arundhati was the chaste and devoted wife of Vasishta Rishi and
at this star they make a vow that they too will
En.
like Vasishta and Arundhati.
;
when the couple look
live
—