194 BULLETIN 148, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



in an hour or two. In the center of the platform is a pit (bhandar), 

 about 30 feet in diameter, from which four drains lead into four 

 wells sunk in the ground outside of the tower. Into this pit the 

 denuded bones are later deposited where they, under the tropical sun, 

 crumble into dust and are then with all other remaining matter 

 conducted through the drains to the wells, The drains are provided 

 with disinfectants (charcoal and sandstone), to purify the matter 

 before it enters the ground so as to preserve the earth from defilement. 

 When death is near, a priest is called in who recites the confession 

 of sin (patet), and sundry passages from the Avesta which afford 

 consolation to the dying person. If he is in possession of his senses 

 he himself joins in these exercises; if not, the words are repeated 

 in his ears. The priest puts into his mouth some drops of the haoma 

 juice (see above under No. 4), as a last sacrament. When life becomes 

 extinct the body is cleaned by first sprinkling a few drops of nirang 

 (for which see note to No. 7), and then washing whole with pure 

 water. It is then laid out on the ground on which a clean sheet of 

 cotton has been spread out, and wrapped in clean clothes, which 

 must be old and worn, in order to admit of ready destruction. From 

 that time none is allowed to touch the corpse except the professional 

 carriers of the dead (nasasalars) . Two priests standing side by 

 side, holding a cord or piece of cloth, called the paivand, between 

 their hands, recite the funeral service, called Gahan-savayashni, 

 which consists of seven chapters of the first Gatha of Zoroaster. 

 A dog — if possible, one with "four eyes," that is, with spots of 

 light color above the eyes, or a white dog with yellow ears — is 

 brought into the chamber in which the body is laid out. This cere- 

 mony is called Sagdid "glance of the dog," and is repeated several 

 times, for the glance of the dog is a terror to demons. Fire also is 

 brought into the room and is fed with fragrant materials, such as 

 sandal wood, frankincense, etc., the odor of which kills the demons 

 wherever the wind carries it. At the close of the funeral service the 

 corpse bearers having purified themselves, put on white clothes and 

 perform the kusti ceremony (see above under No. 7), place the body 

 upon an iron bier, called Gehan, and the funeral procession sets out. 

 This must take place in daytime, for it is essential that the body 

 should be exposed to the sun, and the corpse-devouring birds be pres- 

 ent at the tower. The body is covered with a white shroud and se- 

 cured to the bier with pieces of cloth. Four of the corpse bearers lift 

 the bier on their shoulders and walk toward the tower of silence. 

 They are followed by the funeral procession, headed by priests. All 

 in the procession walk two and two, joined with paivand and reciting 

 prayers. When the procession reaches the tower the bier is put on 

 the ground and the face of the deceased is uncovered. All those who 

 are present take a last look at the deceased, bowing and standing at a 



