DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2373#0262
'Gj,
2a
Kdm«DM
Amithf.
at sun-ito
almanac
r almost*
■ the
e cerei
da/j
some
r to
to h^
brmf
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
235
proper time of the moon, and also in order to cut off six superfluous CHAPTER
days, which twelve months of thirty days would give more than a Iv-
year of twelve lunations. Every thirtieth month one intercalary June 22, &c.
moon is added, in order to remove the difference between the lunar
and solar years. As the former is the only one in use, and is vary-
ing continually, none of the farmers, without consulting the Pan~
chdnga, know the season forperforming the operations of agriculture.
These Panchangas are poor ignorant Brdhmans, who get almanacs Pdnchangm.
from some one skilled in astronomy. This person marks the days,
which correspond with the times in the solar year, that usually pro-
duce changes in the weather, and states them to be under the in-
fluence of such and such conjunctions of stars, male, female, and
neuter; and every one knows the tendency of these conjunctions
to produce certain changes in the weather. The poor Panchangas
are as much in the dark as their neighbours, and actually believe
that the year consists of 360 days, six of which are lost, nobody
can tell how. As for the skill in astrology by which the learned are Astrology,
supposed to be able to foretel the seasons, I have never met with
even a Vaidika Brahman, that doubted its existence. It is, however,
looked upon as a common science, as not having any thing miracu-
lous in it, nor being communicated to its professors by divine
favour.
The office of Panchdnga in every part of this country is here- Panchangas
ditary, and is always held by a Brahman, who acts as Purohita, or t
family priest, to all the persons of pure descent in the town or vil-
lage. In Bengal, Brdhmans who have lost cast act as Purohitas for
the low or impure casts; but both here, and in the lower Camatic,
such an office would be considered as too degrading for even the
most reprobate of the sacred order, The office of Purohita consists
in reading at certain ceremonies, such as marriages, births, funerals,
the building of a new house, or the like, what are called Mantrams,
and Sdstrams. ■ Mantrams are certain fixed forms of prayer, or invo-
cations of the deity; and the high dignity of the Brdhmans arises,
2a
Kdm«DM
Amithf.
at sun-ito
almanac
r almost*
■ the
e cerei
da/j
some
r to
to h^
brmf
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
235
proper time of the moon, and also in order to cut off six superfluous CHAPTER
days, which twelve months of thirty days would give more than a Iv-
year of twelve lunations. Every thirtieth month one intercalary June 22, &c.
moon is added, in order to remove the difference between the lunar
and solar years. As the former is the only one in use, and is vary-
ing continually, none of the farmers, without consulting the Pan~
chdnga, know the season forperforming the operations of agriculture.
These Panchangas are poor ignorant Brdhmans, who get almanacs Pdnchangm.
from some one skilled in astronomy. This person marks the days,
which correspond with the times in the solar year, that usually pro-
duce changes in the weather, and states them to be under the in-
fluence of such and such conjunctions of stars, male, female, and
neuter; and every one knows the tendency of these conjunctions
to produce certain changes in the weather. The poor Panchangas
are as much in the dark as their neighbours, and actually believe
that the year consists of 360 days, six of which are lost, nobody
can tell how. As for the skill in astrology by which the learned are Astrology,
supposed to be able to foretel the seasons, I have never met with
even a Vaidika Brahman, that doubted its existence. It is, however,
looked upon as a common science, as not having any thing miracu-
lous in it, nor being communicated to its professors by divine
favour.
The office of Panchdnga in every part of this country is here- Panchangas
ditary, and is always held by a Brahman, who acts as Purohita, or t
family priest, to all the persons of pure descent in the town or vil-
lage. In Bengal, Brdhmans who have lost cast act as Purohitas for
the low or impure casts; but both here, and in the lower Camatic,
such an office would be considered as too degrading for even the
most reprobate of the sacred order, The office of Purohita consists
in reading at certain ceremonies, such as marriages, births, funerals,
the building of a new house, or the like, what are called Mantrams,
and Sdstrams. ■ Mantrams are certain fixed forms of prayer, or invo-
cations of the deity; and the high dignity of the Brdhmans arises,