Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-05-14
supeasTlrloNs IN INDIA.
Resorts Cor Departed spirits--A singular
Ceremony Cattle.


Ceretnony--saered Cattle.
The pepul trees Ia India are supposed |
to be the favorite resorts for such de. |
parted spirits as, from various causes, I
have not vet been clothed with new |
bodies. The natives put lighted lamps |
in the earthen pots. which are suspended |
from the branches Of the trees, 50 that
as they express 1.-THE souls Of their
relatives may be in light.
From time immemorial II has heen
their custom, when one Of the family
dies, to suspend AN earthen pot from u
Iepul tree. md for ten successive days to
bring offerings Of water and rice with
lighted lamp. for the benefit of the 5lc-
parted. On the tenth day. the pot y
broken and feast Is made for the Brah-
minis.
| In Calcutta feasts Of this character are
often given. wealthy merchant on,p
made one for the benefit of his dcceaTl
mother. The number of guests WAS esii-
\ mated at two hundred Thousand. ami tie
expense of the feast. together with Tie
presents made. was estimated at seventy
| five thousand dollars.
Ceremonies for the repose Of the soul
are exceedingly numerous in this strange
land. and the efficacy Of the same IN
some instances for the benefit Of the de-
ceased relatives is supposed 10 depend
very much upon the place where it is
performed.
j Here is very singular ceremony:
1 The son Of n deceased person procur,s
one male and four female calves. These
are tied To five posts near an altar. con-
strncted for the occasion. Four learned
Brahmins sit ON the four sides Of the
altar and offer burnt sacrifice. A fifth
Brahmin reads certain passages in tho
''Shasters" 10 drive away evil spirits.
The son washes the tail Of the male cali,
and with the same water presents drink
Offering to his deceased ancestors. The
male and the female calves are then
gravely united in wedlock. During the
, marriage ceremony many formulas are
repeated. in which the parties are recon-
mended TO cultivate love and mutual
sympathy.
The Brabmins. having performed the
duties Of their sacred office, are dismissed
8 with presents, including the four brides
but the bridegroom is dedicated to Shivs
. according TO Hindoo mythology, the
husband Of kali-and allowed 10 run nj
n large until old age carries him OFT.
These vagrant calves may almost bs
said to constitute one Of the numerous
> orders Of religious mendicants, or hol,
bcggars. As no provision is made fo
o their daily wants, and as they are unde
/ the necessity Of securing their living
!, they become very cunning. and arr
n scarcely less impudent than the bipcd
a constituting the other orders of that fra
ternity.
II is not uncommon for them to wal
= up unbidden to the stalls where vegetable
y are for sale and help themselves. Bein
;, esteemed sacred. the poor, deludcd in
4, habitants dare to use only the most gent
n means Of ridding themselves of their III
y profitable customers.
"A During the first year or two these catt
~ fare rather scantily, but after havin
learned their sacred functions they Ii,
well, and are the fattest and best lookin
OF all the animals to be seen in Hindostai
The Shasters teach that the souls Of u
departed are divided into five classe
Those of the first class reunite Wi
tn Brahm. the eternal spirit. AND thus 10
nv their individuality. The second are a
lie mitted To the various heavens Of the goo
~ The third are punished in places of tc
IN ment. The fourth again become the o
spring of human parents. The fifth
no come beasts, birds and insects Henc
N should "a Hndoo inhale an insect vi
no his breath, he knows not hut, In 80 doin
nd he has swallowed some departed relati
to possibly his own father. There is O
of sect who, to prevent SO horrid catastr
No phe, wear u strainer over the mouth,
Philadelphia Saturday night