Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 632

592
FEIGNING DEMONIAC POSSESSION
to the just resentment of the god, who is punishing them
towards himself and his ministers.
They gabble phrases in many dialects, asserting that it is
the demon who inspires them, and who has imparted to
them the gift of languages. They eat all sorts of meat,
drink intoxicating liquors, and observe none of the rules
of caste.
But this is not imputed to them as a crime it is all laid
The multi-
to the charge of the devil that possesses them.
tude are filled with fear at the sight of one of these impostors,
and prostrate themselves before him, worshipping the
demon who has taken up its abode in him, and offering
him oblations and sacrifices, in order to propitiate him
and prevent him from injuring them. The demoniac is
for their indifference
;
and when he departs he
fill of meat and drink
accompanied with much pomp and music to the next
village, where he plays the same trick and finds just as
given his
;
is
many dupes. When he is pleased to co