708 A SAVING ACT
plaint to Siva in person. At the gate of the deity ' s palace lie found Nandi, the prime minister, to whom he explained the object of his visit, at the same time expressing his surprise that Siva should thus declare himself the protector of a common boya, a hardened sinner, whose trade necessitated
the slaughter of many living creatures.
1
King of Hell,' replied Nandi, ' it is true that thisman has been a great sinner and that he has not scrupled to shed
blood; but before he died he, fortunately for himself, fasted, watched, and offered a sacrifice to the lingam during the night
consecrated to Siva. This meritorious action has obtained for him the remission of all his sins, the protection of Siva, and an honourable place in Kailasa.'
When Yama heard Nandi ' s words, he became thoughtful, and withdrew without uttering another word.
This is the origin of the feast of Siva-Ratri, or Night of Siva. In commemoration of the fortunate boya the devotees of Siva spend the night and the preceding day in fasting and
without sleep, entirely absorbed in worshipping the god, in offering him sacrifices, and presenting him with the bitter
leaves of the vepu 1 or margosa-tree as neiveddya, which they afterwards eat.
APPENDIX IV
Rules of Conduct for Women during their Periodical Uncleanness.
When awoman is in a state of periodical uncleanness, she is isolated in some place apart, and may have no communication with any one during the three days that her defilement is supposed to last. The first day she must look upon herself as a Pariah. The second day she must consider herself as unclean as if she had killed a Brahmin. The third day she is supposed to be in an intermediate state between the two preceding ones. The fourth day she purifies herself
by ablutions, observing all the ceremonies required on these occasions. Until then she must neither bathe nor wash any part of her body, nor shed tears. She must be very careful not to kill any insect, or any other living creature. She must not ride on a horse, an elephant, or a bullock, nor travel in a palanquin, a dooly, or a carriage. She must
J
It should be the bilva, not the vepv.— Ed.