Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 534

494
DELIVERANCE OF THE BULL
to consent to the deliverance of the bull, so that, as a reward
for this good deed, the deceased may find a place in an
Abode of Bliss. They then set loose the bull, which is
allowed to wander about grazing without a keeper wherever
l
it likes, and it is given as a present to some Brahmin
themselves
in
line
seat
a
on
The nineteen Brahmin guests
.
small stools. The heir spreads darbha grass before them, and
gives a blade of it to each, while reciting a mantram and
uttering the name of the deceased. He then sprinkles some
drops of oil on their heads, presents them with sandalwood-
paste, gives to each a present of two pieces of cloth, offers
a libation of oil and water, and again serves them with food.
The repast over, he mixes some boiled rice, peas, and
herbs together, rolling them all into three balls, which he
puts into an earthen pot. After sundry libations, offerings,
and other formalities, he throws these three balls to the
cattle and dismisses the nineteen Brahmins, who, before
returning home, take good care to bathe.
On the twelfth day the heir goes to summon eight Brah-
mins, and makes them sit down on as many stools in front
He chooses one of them to represent the corpse
of him.
of the dead man, and gives him, as well as the seven others,
He then
a blade of darbha grass with the usual ceremony.
traces three squares on the ground, over which he spreads
cow-dung, which he blesses with mantrams, and over this
In the
again he pours oil and spreads darbha grass.
middle square he places the Brahmin whom he has ap-
pointed to represent the corpse, sprinkles over his feet oil
and darbha grass, and then washes them with water.
Two other Brahmins step into the second square, and the
To each of them he performs the
five others into the third.
same office. Having made them sit down, he approaches
the one who represents the corpse, sprinkles on his head and
hands some drops of oil, while repeating a mantram, puts
earrings in his ears and a gold ring on his finger, makes him
a present of two pieces of cloth, a white blanket, a brass
chembu (drinking bowl), and some betel, hangs round his
neck one of the rosaries called rudrakshas, and smears him
Each of the seven others also
with sandalwood-paste.
1
These bulls are usually dedicated to a temple, and they are used
Ed.
breeding purposes.
for