Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 551

AX EXPENSIVE SOLEMNITY
511
it, or causes it to be offered, may count on abundant
temporal blessings and on the entire remission of the sins
which he has committed for a hundred generations. Nothing
less than such advantages was necessary to determine the
Brahmins to overcome the horror with which the destruc-
tion of a living creature inspired them.
Furthermore,
Brahmins possess the exclusive privilege of performing
Other castes may not even be present at
this sacrifice.
it, though by a special grace they are authorized to provide
the means of carrying it out. The expenses that it necessi-
tates are very considerable, for crowds of Brahmins attend
the solemnity, and each one must receive a present from
the person who offers the yagnam a circumstance which
suggests that it is not so much devotion as interest that
offers
—
takes them there. However, this sacrifice is rarely offered,
few people being able or willing to bear the great cost which
The following are the principal ceremonies which
it entails.
are observed
The person who is going to preside at the yagnam an-
nounces the day fixed for the sacrifice throughout the
whole district, and invites all Brahmins to attend. It is
necessary that Brahmins of each of the four Vedas should
if a representative of each of these classes
be present
does not appear, the solemnity must be put off. Neither
Sudras, whatever their rank may be, nor Brahmins who
:
;
are infirm or diseased, or blind or lame, &c, nor Brahmins
who are widowers, may be present at it.
A ram is chosen after undergoing the most minute
It must be perfectly white, about three years
inspection.
of age, in good condition and well proportioned in every
respect l
A purohita proclaims the favourable moment
when the ceremony can begin, and the assembled Brah-
mins, who sometimes number over two thousand, hasten
A hole is first dug and after the
to the appointed spot.
homam and other ordinary preliminaries, a large fire is
lighted and is kept burning by logs of wood cut from the
sacred trees aswatta, alai, icham, porasu, and by a great
.
;
quantity of darbha grass.
The whole
is
drenched with
In
ghee, which causes the flames to rise to a great height.
1
It
is incorrect, inasmuch as the victim must be perfectly black.
usually presented by the goatherds as a free gift.
Ed.
This
is