DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0319
^raddha Ceremonies. 307
place on the thirty-first day after death. On the thirtieth day,
the son and other near relatives shave, cut their nails, and put
on new clothes, giving the old to the barber. Invitations
are sent round to the Brahmans and Pandits requesting their
presence at the feast. On the thirty-first day, early in the
morning, the son, accompanied by the officiating priest, goes
to the river-side, bathes, and performs certain preliminary
rites. A quantity of silver and brass utensils, besides shawls,
cloth, and hard silver in cash are required for the ceremony
and to serve as gifts for the Brahmans, Pandits, and other
guests. From eight in the morning to two in the afternoon
the house is crammed to suffocation. The guests arrive early,
and are asked to take their seats according to their caste.
About ten o'clock the son begins the rite ; the officiating priest
reciting the formularies (which ought to include Pitri-suktas
from the Sama-veda), and he repeating them. Meanwhile
female singers of questionable character entertain the guests
with their songs, while garlands and sandal-paste are dis-
tributed.
About one in the afternoon the ceremony is brought to a
close by the Brahmans and Pandits receiving their customary
gifts. The first in the list gets, in ordinary cases, about five
rupees in cash, and one brass vessel valued at four or five
rupees; the second, third, and others in proportion. The
Guru or religious teacher and the Purohita or officiating
priest carry off the lion's share.
On the following day, according to Mr. Bose, an entertain-
ment is given to the Brahmans, and until this is done no
Hindu can be released from the restrictions of mourning, nor
regain his former purity. About twelve, the guests begin to
assemble, and when the number reaches two or three
hundred, seats of Kusa grass in long rows are arranged for
them, and each man receives a plantain leaf on which are
placed fruits and sweetmeats, such as 'ghee-fried loochees'
and other delicacies, besides various kinds of confectionery in
X 2
place on the thirty-first day after death. On the thirtieth day,
the son and other near relatives shave, cut their nails, and put
on new clothes, giving the old to the barber. Invitations
are sent round to the Brahmans and Pandits requesting their
presence at the feast. On the thirty-first day, early in the
morning, the son, accompanied by the officiating priest, goes
to the river-side, bathes, and performs certain preliminary
rites. A quantity of silver and brass utensils, besides shawls,
cloth, and hard silver in cash are required for the ceremony
and to serve as gifts for the Brahmans, Pandits, and other
guests. From eight in the morning to two in the afternoon
the house is crammed to suffocation. The guests arrive early,
and are asked to take their seats according to their caste.
About ten o'clock the son begins the rite ; the officiating priest
reciting the formularies (which ought to include Pitri-suktas
from the Sama-veda), and he repeating them. Meanwhile
female singers of questionable character entertain the guests
with their songs, while garlands and sandal-paste are dis-
tributed.
About one in the afternoon the ceremony is brought to a
close by the Brahmans and Pandits receiving their customary
gifts. The first in the list gets, in ordinary cases, about five
rupees in cash, and one brass vessel valued at four or five
rupees; the second, third, and others in proportion. The
Guru or religious teacher and the Purohita or officiating
priest carry off the lion's share.
On the following day, according to Mr. Bose, an entertain-
ment is given to the Brahmans, and until this is done no
Hindu can be released from the restrictions of mourning, nor
regain his former purity. About twelve, the guests begin to
assemble, and when the number reaches two or three
hundred, seats of Kusa grass in long rows are arranged for
them, and each man receives a plantain leaf on which are
placed fruits and sweetmeats, such as 'ghee-fried loochees'
and other delicacies, besides various kinds of confectionery in
X 2