DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2374#0176
168
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
Oct. 4.
Munis, or
demons.
CHAPTER of the island, this quantity of seed in the accompts is called 90 Can-
dacas, a nominal Candaca of 39 Seers having been purposely intro-
duced. Owing to the disrepair of the dams, two thirds of this land
is at present waste. On the island there is a good deal of land lit
for the cultivation of dry grains; and it would be a fine situation
for a village, were it not possessed by a Muni; on which account,
and owing to the terrible disasters attributed to this demon's wrath,
•no Hindu will settle in the place. The people of Satteagala, at the
time of cultivation, carry over their cattle, and sleep with them in
one of the old temples, which is a defence against the tigers that
are said to be very numerous. When they have committed the
seed to the ground, they return home, and wait there until the
time of harvest; when they again go to the island, and bring away
their crops.
The Munis of Karnuta, who are demons of the first magnitude,
must be carefully distinguished from a kind of Brdhmans of the
same name, who have been saints of the greatest holiness, and whose
memories persons of all ranks venerate. The Brdhmans never openly
worship the Munis; although it is alleged, that in private many of
them make offerings, in the same manner as they do to the SaJctis,
or destroying female spirits. Among the followers of the Brdhmans
below the Ghats, the worship of the Munis, who are male destruc-
tive spirits, is very prevalent.
The only persons who defy this devil, and the tigers, are two
Mussulman hermits, that dwell at Gangana Chuki. The hermitage is
a hut open all round, placed opposite to the tomb ofPirca Widlay, an
an.tient saint, and surrounded by some neat smooth areas, and a
number of flowering and aromatic trees introduced from the neigh-
bouring forests. One of these hermits was absent on business; the
other had no defence from the tigers, but his confidence in the
holiness of the place, and in his own sanctity, of which he seemed
to have a very favourable opinion. He told me with great
Mussulman
.hermitage.
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
Oct. 4.
Munis, or
demons.
CHAPTER of the island, this quantity of seed in the accompts is called 90 Can-
dacas, a nominal Candaca of 39 Seers having been purposely intro-
duced. Owing to the disrepair of the dams, two thirds of this land
is at present waste. On the island there is a good deal of land lit
for the cultivation of dry grains; and it would be a fine situation
for a village, were it not possessed by a Muni; on which account,
and owing to the terrible disasters attributed to this demon's wrath,
•no Hindu will settle in the place. The people of Satteagala, at the
time of cultivation, carry over their cattle, and sleep with them in
one of the old temples, which is a defence against the tigers that
are said to be very numerous. When they have committed the
seed to the ground, they return home, and wait there until the
time of harvest; when they again go to the island, and bring away
their crops.
The Munis of Karnuta, who are demons of the first magnitude,
must be carefully distinguished from a kind of Brdhmans of the
same name, who have been saints of the greatest holiness, and whose
memories persons of all ranks venerate. The Brdhmans never openly
worship the Munis; although it is alleged, that in private many of
them make offerings, in the same manner as they do to the SaJctis,
or destroying female spirits. Among the followers of the Brdhmans
below the Ghats, the worship of the Munis, who are male destruc-
tive spirits, is very prevalent.
The only persons who defy this devil, and the tigers, are two
Mussulman hermits, that dwell at Gangana Chuki. The hermitage is
a hut open all round, placed opposite to the tomb ofPirca Widlay, an
an.tient saint, and surrounded by some neat smooth areas, and a
number of flowering and aromatic trees introduced from the neigh-
bouring forests. One of these hermits was absent on business; the
other had no defence from the tigers, but his confidence in the
holiness of the place, and in his own sanctity, of which he seemed
to have a very favourable opinion. He told me with great
Mussulman
.hermitage.