DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0315
Sraddha Ceremonies. 303
nearest relative took an empty earthenware vase, filled it with
water, and held it on his right shoulder. Starting from the
north side he commenced circumambulating the five Pindas
and the five wheaten cakes, keeping his left shoulder towards
them, while one of the relatives with a sharp stone made a
hole in the jar, whence the water spouted out in a stream as
he walked round. On completing the first circuit and coming
back to the north, a second incision was made with the same
stone, whence a second stream poured out simultaneously
with the first. At the end of the fifth round, when five
streams of water had been made to spout out from five holes
round the five Pindas, the earthenware vase was dashed to
the ground on the north side, and the remaining water spilt
over the ashes. Next, one of the relatives took a small
metal vessel containing milk, and, with a betel-leaf for a
ladle, sprinkled some drops over the rice piled on the
wheaten cakes. After which, taking some water from a small
lota—or rather making another relative pour it into his hand
—he first sprinkled it in a circle round the Pindas, and then
over the cakes. Finally, bending down and raising his hands
to his head, he performed a sort of puja to the Pindas, which
were supposed to represent the deceased man and four other
relations. This was repeated by all twenty-four men in turn.
After the completion of the ceremony, the balls and cakes
were left to be eaten by animals. This may be said to close
the funeral rites proper.
Sraddha Ceremonies.
The Sraddha ceremonies, as we have seen (p. 285), have
many points in common with the antecedent funeral ob-
sequies (antyeshti), especially in the nature of the oblations
offered and texts repeated, but the balls of rice, etc. (Pindas)
are said to represent the deified bodies of the Pitris.
According to the Nirnaya-sindhu a Sraddha is a gift given
nearest relative took an empty earthenware vase, filled it with
water, and held it on his right shoulder. Starting from the
north side he commenced circumambulating the five Pindas
and the five wheaten cakes, keeping his left shoulder towards
them, while one of the relatives with a sharp stone made a
hole in the jar, whence the water spouted out in a stream as
he walked round. On completing the first circuit and coming
back to the north, a second incision was made with the same
stone, whence a second stream poured out simultaneously
with the first. At the end of the fifth round, when five
streams of water had been made to spout out from five holes
round the five Pindas, the earthenware vase was dashed to
the ground on the north side, and the remaining water spilt
over the ashes. Next, one of the relatives took a small
metal vessel containing milk, and, with a betel-leaf for a
ladle, sprinkled some drops over the rice piled on the
wheaten cakes. After which, taking some water from a small
lota—or rather making another relative pour it into his hand
—he first sprinkled it in a circle round the Pindas, and then
over the cakes. Finally, bending down and raising his hands
to his head, he performed a sort of puja to the Pindas, which
were supposed to represent the deceased man and four other
relations. This was repeated by all twenty-four men in turn.
After the completion of the ceremony, the balls and cakes
were left to be eaten by animals. This may be said to close
the funeral rites proper.
Sraddha Ceremonies.
The Sraddha ceremonies, as we have seen (p. 285), have
many points in common with the antecedent funeral ob-
sequies (antyeshti), especially in the nature of the oblations
offered and texts repeated, but the balls of rice, etc. (Pindas)
are said to represent the deified bodies of the Pitris.
According to the Nirnaya-sindhu a Sraddha is a gift given