The Democratic advocate., 1884-11-29
Supers

an extent with the conviction of
natural agency directing his every -
whether for good or for evil, that each mo-
ment almost of his life he looks for some
omens indicating approval or disapproval of
what he might at the same time be engaged
in, or be about to engage in. An auspicious
moment is chosen for the performance of
every important duty in life, and in refer
ence to those occurrences beyond the con-
troll of man steps are instantly taken to as
certain whether they are lucky or unlucky;
and If the latter, such measures are adopt
ed by way of propitiatory sacrifices to the
gods as may operate to avert the impend-
ing evil. No sooner is son born than the
Brahman who is the family priest draws
up his horoscope and is able to announce
whether the path in life of the child will
be smooth and unruffled, or if he is destin-
ed to a rough and stormy future. When
he has reached a manageable age the
Brahmans again appear on the scene and
are asked to fix an auspicious day, nay, even
the hour and minute when the nuptial
knot is to be tied; and should, through
some mischance, that particular moment be
allowed to pass away without the ceremony
taking place, the marriage has to be put
aside till some other propitious day that
has subsequently to be fixed upon, and
which in some cases might not occur for
year or two. Even after his death man
cannot be secure from being made victim
to omens, for when that event does happen
the priests are at work to ascertain whether
the day he died was favorable to his hap
piness hereafter or otherwise, and according
as they decide are regulated the ceremon-
les to be performed and the sacrifices to be
Offered for the release of his soul from pur-
gatory But it is not in important events
of his life only that Hindoo will look
forward to and be guided by omens; it is
lamentable to notice the extent to which,
in the ordinary affairs of everyday life, he
allows this superstitious belief to gain an
ascendency over him. He will not under
take journey unless on an suspicious day,
and even after he has once started he will
perhaps return, having on the road per-
ceived some omen indicating that his jour
ney will not be prosperous. Belief in
omens has so firmly implanted itself in the
mind of Hindoo as to resist every attempt
to root out by argument the folly of this
his great weakness, and | have noticed
with much surprise that, though man
has relinquished the religion of his father
as being false and puerile, his faith in
omens has remained unchanged, or rather
that it has taken such strong hold of him
that frequently in spite of himself he is
influenced by them. And more astonish-
ing still is the fact that Mahomedans,
though they profess to have a contempt
for Hindoo superstitions, are, in this re
spect, in no way superior to the latter,
having as implicit faith in thes ridicu-
lous prognostications rs those whose relig-
lou they affect despise | shall ,iaw con-
cisely notice & few rmeus ruch are still
very commonly ~bsijeyed III, Should a
person about to undertake a Journey or
commence any work hear another snesSH
he will consider it good or bad o.
cording as the latter has sl1cczsd
twice. If once only, he will della
parture for few minutes >6rsbSt - 80
work till some other time. So strong
ly and so geneEaltsis IS this believed IN that
often seEas'ds consequences follow on per
ssH sneezing inopportunely. Servants
have been known to be dismissed by their
masters, courtiers to be deprived of the
favor of prince and rajahs for having been
inadvertently the medium through whom
an unlucky omen was displayed. The
sceeching of an owl is believed to portcnd
death. So thoroughly are the people con-
vinced of this that no sooner its dismal
notes are heard than quite commotion is
created, and it often happens that at dead Of
night the whole village turns out to drive
away this bird of ill-omen. Great caIMS
also taken not to mention the name
child in the night, for fear an owl
hear it, the popular belief bel
would in that case repeat the
night, and the child, in consequ
pine away and die. The scrat
palm of the hand is believed
cate thatthe person will
while the scratching of Il
indicates that a long lot
be undertaken. To hear Il
(monkey) carly in the morning
cred very unlucky, and evils Of
scription are looked forward to as,
happen during the day. And VI
key is one of the sacred animals of
docs. At Benares thousands of I'll
allowed to live in gardens specially SCI
for them, and are fed by all classes Of
pie, who in so doing consider thew y
| forming an act of great charity and s.
ton. The snake is never mentioned
night, the popular belief being that it is|
sure to make its appearance if its name be
uttered. If there is occasion to sneak
about it the word keeya (reptile) is nse5
instead. There exists superstitious he
lief that, should credit be given for the
first article sold in the morning, that dav's
business will he attended with great loss
EVENT. the purchaser be his best customer
the shopkeeper will either ask him to come
again or to buy trifing article and nav
cash for it, thus enabling the person to
perform his bohree FIRST cash transact;onG
After person has taken off his sboos
should one fall over another it is believed
to be an omen that the person is about to
travel. Should he really mediate a iour
ney he allows the shoes to remain in tha4,
position; it not, he puts them STRAIGHT -
Is supposed thus to prevent his ioz
A person meeting a severe loss OF.
into some trouble is often kns
butte his misfortune to hasA
unlucky face in the mo-
of an GILMAN or I'M
character, or o1a
deformity. x