DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.641#0084
THE HINDOO MYTHOLOGY. 77
days; after that of a husband, a wife fas*ts three days; be-*
fore offering an atonement, a fast is observed ; the day any
pilgrim arrives at a holy place he fasts; in fulfilling vows,
the Hindoos keep many fasts; some persons enter into a
resolution to fast every other day, and persevere in this for
years. Some renounce rice altogether, and keep a per-
petual fast, living on milk, fruits, &c. Others (pilgrims)
offer a certain fruit to some idol, and renounce this kind of
fruit, promising never to eat of it again to the end of life.
The gods, it is said, delight to see their followers renounce
any thing as an act of devotion or attachment to them.
This person presents to bramhiins fruit, thus renounced,
on the anniversary of the day on which he renounced it.—
Another custom, bearing a similarity to fasting, also pre-
vails among the Hindoos :—In the months Asharhu, Shra-
vunu, Bhadru, and Ashwinu, many renounce certain articles
of diet, and others omit to be shaved, as acts of devotion to
the gods.
The blessing expected from fasting is, that the person
will ascend to the heaven of that god in whose name he
observes the fast.
SECT. XVII.—Qifts, (Danu'.J
Presents to learned bramhiins; to those less learned;
to unlearned bramhiins; to one whose father was a bram-
hun, but his mother a shoodrti; and alms to the poor, are
called by the name of danu. The things which may be
presented are, whatever may be eaten, or worn, or is in use
' From da, to give.
days; after that of a husband, a wife fas*ts three days; be-*
fore offering an atonement, a fast is observed ; the day any
pilgrim arrives at a holy place he fasts; in fulfilling vows,
the Hindoos keep many fasts; some persons enter into a
resolution to fast every other day, and persevere in this for
years. Some renounce rice altogether, and keep a per-
petual fast, living on milk, fruits, &c. Others (pilgrims)
offer a certain fruit to some idol, and renounce this kind of
fruit, promising never to eat of it again to the end of life.
The gods, it is said, delight to see their followers renounce
any thing as an act of devotion or attachment to them.
This person presents to bramhiins fruit, thus renounced,
on the anniversary of the day on which he renounced it.—
Another custom, bearing a similarity to fasting, also pre-
vails among the Hindoos :—In the months Asharhu, Shra-
vunu, Bhadru, and Ashwinu, many renounce certain articles
of diet, and others omit to be shaved, as acts of devotion to
the gods.
The blessing expected from fasting is, that the person
will ascend to the heaven of that god in whose name he
observes the fast.
SECT. XVII.—Qifts, (Danu'.J
Presents to learned bramhiins; to those less learned;
to unlearned bramhiins; to one whose father was a bram-
hun, but his mother a shoodrti; and alms to the poor, are
called by the name of danu. The things which may be
presented are, whatever may be eaten, or worn, or is in use
' From da, to give.