The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-11-06

are the fighting men of the party. who
brandish spears. sticks, and occasionally
| fire of guns, besides going through an
tics symbolical of fighting in mid-air
lowering demons who are intent upon
carrying off the body. In most pictur.
csque places are these burning CHATS lo-
Gated.
Hard by in some holy stream whose
blue waters contrast beautifully with
the dark and glowing foliage of the
Overhanging trees, and the rich green
of the rank Jungle which fringes its
banks. The approaches of these river
banks are generally through ravines.
deep and tortuOus, caused by the action
of the overlooked river during the rainy
season. Over hot and burning sands,
which glisten in the bright sunshine
like FURNISHED silver. and cast . glare
which to the unaccustomed eye is al
most binding. trudges the funeral party.
Arriving at the CHAT little huckster-
ing has to be gone through with some
of the wOOd-dealers, who have ready
assorted. proper sized pieces of wood
from which to build the pyre, this being
accomplished after no little difficulty.
for q Hindoo always asks more than he
expects to receive, and always places
his figure high SO that after the bargain
is concluded he gets actually what he
first wanted. The eldest son is closest
to the body; it is he who carries the pot
containing the fire. and it is his duty to
start into flame the straw. He is drea-
sed in white, and upon his dress are
great patches of red, like blOod-clOts.
The pyre is but q foot or SO high, resting
on bed Of straw. After the d.leful
chants have been sung, and after he has
thrice marched round the pyre, he ig-
mites the fire, and few seconds after .
thin wreath of smoke ascending heav-
onward tells that the last rite has been
successfully performed. The funeral
ceremonies over, the party, including
those who are nearest of kin, repair to
the deceased's late dwelling, and there
inquire into the affairs of the departed
one. and make an inventory of his eff
fects.
A marriage and q funeral are affairs
much to be dreaded by a wealthy Him
doc, for on either occasion there has to
be considerable spent on feasting not
only the relatives, but host of depend
ants; and as without feast the soul of
the departed one is in danger of not
tasting the joys of the life hereafter, q
funeral feast is really often the real
source of the woe on such occasion. As
a matter of course the Brahmins figure
conspicuously. for it is hoped that
through there intercessiOns will the
dead man gain heavenly bliss.
The ceremonies that have Just been
described obtain only in the upper por-
ton of India, which may be said to in
clude every northern province. In Mad
ras matters are arranged more scientifi-
cally. There much of the hideousness
that is SO revolving to person of deli
cate nerves is hidden. There are no
fierce flames to be seen cracking around
and burning the corpse. no terribly Of
fensive OdOrs, but on the contrary, at
high-caste funeral there is to be seen
the greatest respect paid to the dead,
and also every possible arrangement to
deprive the funeral of its CHASTITY effect.
The body is laid in a sloping position,
resting on heavy bed of dry straw.
This straw bed rests upon solid stone
foundation imbedded in cement. When
the straw has been laid and besprinkled
three times slightly with holy water the
body is laid upon it. Thelegs are crook
ed up, tailor-fashion, and the body is
clothed in pure white of peculiar linen,
used solely for the shrouding of the dead.
The corpse is then covered with white
flowers. the only part that is visible being
the face. The cheeks are painted bright
red. After the surviving son has passed
around the pyre three times, mutterlng
a mantram, with the pot in hand con-
tanning the holy fire, he lights the pyre.
The straw is speedily ablaze, and the
slight layer of wood is soon burning, and
when the flames begin to touch the body
it is covered with thick coating of mud,
SO that the corpse is actually burned
within a covering. 1t is thus left for
three days. when this coating of mud is
broken open, and the collected ashes are
thrown into the adjacent river.
No sooner has the mourning cortege
left the spot where under the mud dome
is burning the corpse than the eldest
son prepares himself for the last rite of
the ceremony. He disrobes entirely.
and taking up his position near the late
pyre, gets shaved from head to foot, the
razor passing over every inch of his
body's surface. Here, as in Northern
India, the funeral feast is observed rig
idly, and the number of people fed is
generally more than the purse of the
dead man can actually afford.
Death in India is not look upon with
that mysterious awe as in more north
ern countries. Its presence is so uni
versal, its operation SO rapid, and the
removal so sudden, either by burning OF
burial, that the bereaved have never the
time given them to indulge in the luxury
of grief by the unpleasant spectacle Of
having the dead in their midst. Fun
eral corteges in all parts of India are
disorderly, and it is not uncommon for
them to indulge in unseemly fighting
with each other when they are
under the impression that one of
them is perhaps Sinking his portion of
tie load when carrying the corpse to
the CHAT. Perhaps never to better ad-
vantage does the philosophical nature
of the HindoO show than on the occa.
sion of death. Rarely does mother,
even when almost beside herself with
grief over the close approaching death
of her son, once make moan after the
breath has left the body. death has
come" she says, land hence let their
be no weeping" And hired mourrers.
are engaged for that unpleasant tasks
while she will. with fearless eyes, follow
the remains of her child.-San Francico
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