BRAHMIN FEASTS 277
Rajahs, governors of provinces, and other high officials, or
wealthy individuals who pride themselves on the enormous expense which their prodigality entails on these occasions.
The dedication of a new temple, the inauguration of an idol, the celebration of a feast-day or of a marriage, the birth of an heir, & c, expiatory ceremonies for the sins of the departed to procure their admittance into the abode of bliss, votive ceremonies to ensure victory in time of war, to avert the evil effects of an unlucky constellation, or to obtain rain in time of drought, & c, & c.; one and all of these are opportunities for samaradhanas K It is needless to add that the Brahmins who make their living out of these and similar practices insist very warmly on their being kept up, and place them in the foremost rank of meritorious actions. When a samaradhana is announced as about to take place, all, men and women, from seven or eight miles round, flock to it, sometimes to the number of over two thousand 2. Each and all bring with them an appetite well calculated to do full justice to the hospitality of their entertainer. These gatherings are composed entirely of Brahmins, and as every one keeps his eye on his neighbour there is much rivalry as to who will show the greatest familiarity with the customs of their caste and the greatest zeal in carrying them out. An ancient
Roman philosopher once said that he could not imagine how two augurs could meet without laughing in each other ' s
faces. What would he have thought of the grave and serious mien which Hindu soothsayers and impostors preserve under similar circumstances?
Seated on the ground in long rows, the women entirely separated from the men, they sing in turn while waiting
for their food, either Sanskrit hymns in honour of their deities or love-songs. All those who are listening cry out as a mark of approval, l Hara! Hara! Govinda ' / though ' the greater number have probably understood nothing of what has been sung.
1
The Jews had also their solemn feasts. Frequent mention is made of them in the Bible. Dubois.
- There is a sarcastic Tamil proverb to the effect that a Brahmin ' will walk even a hundred miles for rice and dholl." Ed. s
A style of acclamation. They arc the names of Siva and Vishnu. Dubois.