Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 406

366
SUTTEE PRESENTS
A ridiculous
distinctly pronounced.
illusion, no
was heard
for it could never
doubt, of minds blinded by fanaticism
be believed that the unfortunate victims were at that
moment in a condition to hear and to speak.
Two days after, when the fire was completely extin-
guished, they removed from amidst the ashes the remnants
of the bones that had not been entirely consumed, and put
them into copper urns, which were carefully sealed with
Some time afterwards, thirty
the signet of the new king.
Brahmins were selected to carry these relics to Kasi (Benares)
and to throw them into the sacred waters of the Ganges.
It was arranged that, on their return from that holy city,
they should receive valuable presents, upon producing
authenticated certificates to the effect that they had really
accomplished the journey, and had faithfully executed
the task entrusted to them. A portion of the bones was,
they were
however, reserved for the following purpose
reduced to powder, mixed with some boiled rice, and eaten
by twelve Brahmins. This revolting and unnatural act
had for its object the expiation of the sins of the deceased
sins which, according to the popular opinion, were trans-
mitted to the bodies of the persons who ate the ashes, and
;
:
—
—
were tempted by money to overcome their repugnance for
such disgusting food. At the same time, it is believed that
the filthy lucre thus earned can never be attended with
much advantage to the recipients. Amidst the ashes, too,
were picked up small pieces of melted gold, the remains of
the ornaments worn by the princesses.
Presents were given to the Brahmins who presided. at
the obsequies, and to those who had honoured the cere-
monies with their presence. To the king's guru was given
an elephant. The three palanquins which had served to
carry the corpse of the king and the two victims to the pile
were given away to the three leading Brahmins. The
among the other Brahmins consisted
money amounting to nearly twenty- five
presents distributed
of cloths
and
of
thousand rupees.
Several bags of small coin were also
scattered among the crowds on the roadside as the funeral
Finally, twelve
procession was on its way to the pyre.
houses were built and presented to the twelve Brahmins
who had the courage to swallow the powdered bones of