Dr. Scudders Tales for Little Readers | Page 9

slowly; and their friends and relations come out
of their houses, as they pass; the women hailing the married couple
with the ceremony of _arati_, and the men with presents of silver, fruits,
sugar, and betel. I once witnessed one of these marriage processions in
the streets of Madras at night, but can give you but little idea of its
magnificence. The lamps used on the occasion could not be numbered.
The shrubbery, which was drawn on carts or other vehicles, appeared
exceedingly beautiful, in consequence of the light reflected from the
lamps. Intermingled with this shrubbery, were to be seen little girls
elegantly dressed, and adorned with flowers on their heads. Many
elephants, with their trappings of gold and silver and red, formed a part
of the procession. Fire-works were also added to make the scene more
brilliant.

CHAPTER V
.
DEATH AND FUNERALS OF THE HINDOOS.
My dear Children--The death of a Hindoo is followed by many
ridiculous ceremonies. I will give you a description of a few, connected
with the death of one who has moved in one of the higher ranks--of a
Brahmin.
[Illustration]
When it is evident that a Brahmin has but a little time to live, a space is

prepared with earth, well spread with cow-dung, over which a cloth,
that has never been worn, is spread. The dying man is placed upon this
at full length. Another cloth is wrapped around his loins. This being
done, the ceremony of expiating his sins is performed as follows. The
chief of the funeral brings on one plate some small pieces of silver or
copper coin, and on another the punchakaryam, etc. A little of this
punchakaryam is then put into his mouth, and, by virtue of this
nauseous draught, the body is perfectly purified. Besides this, there is a
general cleansing, which is accomplished by making the dying man
recite within himself, if he cannot speak, the proper muntrums, by
which he is delivered from all his sins. After this, a cow is introduced
with her calf. Her horns are decorated with rings of gold or brass, and
her neck with garlands of flowers. A pure cloth is laid over her body.
Thus decked, she is led up to the sick man, who takes hold of her tail.
Prayers are now offered up that the cow may conduct him, by a blessed
path, to the next world. He then makes a gift of a cow to a Brahmin.
This gift is considered indispensable to enable the soul to go over the
river of fire, which it is said all must pass after death. Those who have
made this gift, are met by one of these favored creatures the moment
they arrive at the bank of the stream, and by her help, they are enabled
to pass without injury from the flames.
As soon as the breath has left his body, all who are present must weep
for a reasonable time, and join in lamentations together.
After various ceremonies, the body is washed, and a barber is called to
shave his head. He is then clad with his finest clothes and adorned with
jewels. He is rubbed with sandal-wood where the body is uncovered,
and the accustomed mark is put upon his forehead. Thus dressed he is
placed on a kind of state bed, where he remains until he is carried to the
pile.
After every preparation is made to bear away the corpse, the person
who is to conduct the funeral, with the assistance of some relative or
friend, strips it of its clothing and jewels, and covers it with a
handkerchief provided for the occasion. The corpse is then placed on a
litter. Those who die in a state of marriage, have their faces left
uncovered. The litter, adorned with flowers and foliage, and sometimes
decked with valuable stuffs, is borne by four Brahmins. The procession
is arranged as follows.

The chief of the funeral marches foremost, carrying fire in a vessel. The
body follows, attended by the relations and friends, without their
turbans, and with nothing on their heads but a bit of cloth, in token of
mourning. The women never attend the funeral, but remain in the house,
where they set up a hideous cry when the corpse is taken out. While
advancing on the road, the custom is to stop three times on the way,
and, at each pause, to put into the mouth of the dead a morsel of
unboiled rice, moistened. The object of stopping is considered to be
very important. It is not without reason; for they say that persons
supposed to be dead have been alive, or even when lifeless have been
restored; and sometimes, also, it has happened that the gods of the
infernal regions have mistaken