Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Seite 297

SUNDRY PRAYERS
257
Brahmin or a pregnant woman, drunk intoxicat-
ing liquors, or betrayed one's most intimate friend, &c.
The Brahmin then dismisses the goddess in these terms
I have prayed to you,
illustrious goddess, to obtain
remission of my sins.
Forgive me them, and grant that
after my death I may enjoy the delights of Vaikuntha.
You have Brahma's face you are Brahma himself. It
is you who have created, who preserve, and who destroy
everything. Grant that I may be happy in this world,
that joy, wealth, and prosperity may always be my portion,
and that after my death my lot may be still happier and
more lasting
Return,
goddess, after having granted
me this favour, return to your usual dwelling-place
He offers her tarpana, or the libation of water, as also
to the sun and to the planet Venus, saying
Glory to the sun and to the planet Venus
May the
water that I now offer you find favour in your sight
He finally addresses this prayer to fire
fire
listen to what I am about to say
Burn my
enemies, and those who speak evil of the Vedas
The
number of my sins is like a sea of fire, without bottom
and without shore, ready to consume me. I implore your
mercy, and may it be to me a means of salvation
killed a
:
'
;
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'
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:
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:
'
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'
!
He then evokes Rudra
(Siva),
whose countenance
is
like
that of time and of fire, and says to him
You are the Veda, you are the truth
You are the
Supreme Being
Your face is marvellous
You are the
face of the world
I offer you adoration.'
Then he
says
Glory to Brahma
Glory to water
Glory to the god
:
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!
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:
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!
Varuna
'
Glory to Vishnu
He offers the tarpana to each of these gods, and then to
the sun, to whom he says :—
Illustrious son of Kasyapa, you resemble a lovely
flower
You are the enemy of darkness through you
all our sins are forgiven.
I offer you my worship as to the
greatest of gods
deign to receive it graciously.' Finally,
he turns round three times in honour of the sun, and makes
him a profound bow.
!
!
'
!
;
;