DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.635#0211
198 BENARES, THE SACRED CITY
But to the sinners Yama appears in a gigantic and
terrific shape, with black complexion and eyes vast
as lakes. His nostrils breathe fire. His bristling
hairs stand out long and thick like rushes. His deep
voice sounds like the thunder of the Last Day. He
is mounted on a ferocious buffalo, and holds a mighty
club in his hand.
When the souls have enjoyed their bliss, or suffered
their allotted punishment, they are again re-incarnated
on earth to fulfil the remainder of their karma.
This belief in the efficacy of Shradhas is often the
source of reckless expenditure bringing ruin upon
Hindu families. For not only do the dead require
assistance in their pilgrimage to Yama's kingdom,
but for three generations afterwards they are sup-
posed to need the attention of their descendants.
Moreover, the mantras and ceremonies performed at
certain holy places are believed to have the power
of mitigating the penalties for sins committed in this
life, an idea sedulously fostered by the Brahmin priests,
though it is absolutely inconsistent with their own
teaching of the law of karma.
With this digression we will return to the Panch-
kosi road. The sixth and last stage of the pilgrimage
is from Kapildhara to Barna Sangam, and thence along
the ghats to the starting - place, Manikarnika. On
this day the pilgrims carry bags of barley, from which
they scatter grain all along the route, as an oblation to
Shiva. Arriving at Manikarnika, they bathe in the
river and give presents to the Brahmins. Finally they
proceed to the temple of Sakhi-Vinayak, the witness-
bearing Ganesha, to have the fact of the pilgrimage
attested by the priest, in presence of the deity.
But to the sinners Yama appears in a gigantic and
terrific shape, with black complexion and eyes vast
as lakes. His nostrils breathe fire. His bristling
hairs stand out long and thick like rushes. His deep
voice sounds like the thunder of the Last Day. He
is mounted on a ferocious buffalo, and holds a mighty
club in his hand.
When the souls have enjoyed their bliss, or suffered
their allotted punishment, they are again re-incarnated
on earth to fulfil the remainder of their karma.
This belief in the efficacy of Shradhas is often the
source of reckless expenditure bringing ruin upon
Hindu families. For not only do the dead require
assistance in their pilgrimage to Yama's kingdom,
but for three generations afterwards they are sup-
posed to need the attention of their descendants.
Moreover, the mantras and ceremonies performed at
certain holy places are believed to have the power
of mitigating the penalties for sins committed in this
life, an idea sedulously fostered by the Brahmin priests,
though it is absolutely inconsistent with their own
teaching of the law of karma.
With this digression we will return to the Panch-
kosi road. The sixth and last stage of the pilgrimage
is from Kapildhara to Barna Sangam, and thence along
the ghats to the starting - place, Manikarnika. On
this day the pilgrims carry bags of barley, from which
they scatter grain all along the route, as an oblation to
Shiva. Arriving at Manikarnika, they bathe in the
river and give presents to the Brahmins. Finally they
proceed to the temple of Sakhi-Vinayak, the witness-
bearing Ganesha, to have the fact of the pilgrimage
attested by the priest, in presence of the deity.