408 SCITAMINEM 



History, Uses, &C. — Turmeric appears to have come 

 into use in India as a substitute for saffron and other yellow dyes, 

 which were used by the ancient Arians before they invaded the 

 country. The Arians were, as we krK)W, great worshippers of 

 the solar system, hence they held in special estimation those 

 plants which yield a golden-yellow dye resembling sunlight, 

 and attributed to them protective and auspicious properties. 



Turmeric, best known as Haridra in Sanskrit, has forty-six 

 synonyms, such as Pita ''yellow,'' Gauri *' brilliant," Yarnavat 

 ** having colour,'' Kaniala " lustful,'' K'isa, Eajani, and all 

 other words which signify ''night." The use of the hitter 

 synonyms is variously explained." A distinguished professor of 

 Sanskrit, whom we consulted, referred us to one of the best 

 commentators on the AmaraJwsriy who states that turmeric 

 being a substance ixsed for dyeing came to be called rajcuv^ 

 wliich etymologically means the material by which a thmg is 

 dyed, because the word rajani had already come to be used m 

 the lano^uajje to denote *' ui>rht." A well-known Bombay Vaid, 



o — r>" '" o 



to whom we put the question, replied, "We have tradition 

 that it is called ' night/ because in former times married women 

 used daily to apply turmeric in the evening." On further 

 enquiry we learned that this practice is not extinct, as he sup- 

 posed, but still prevails in Goan villages, about Asnora, and 

 probably elsewhere. Married women in the evening, when i^Q 

 house-work is completed, dip their hands in turmeric water 

 and pass them lightly over their cheeks : the mistress of the 

 Louse also performs the same office for any married friend who 

 may happen to drop in at this time, and on some pretence 

 detains her until the lamps are lighted. The reason they gi^'O 

 for doing this is that the goddess Lakshmi may visit 

 the house at this time. This goddess is reijarded as the wife of 

 Surya, and the practice is probably a survival of sun-worship. 

 In Hindu ceremonial turmeric is almost always necessary - 

 Amongst the most important occasions on which it is used we may 

 mention the following as prevailing in most parts of India : 



A few days before the marriage ceremonies commence, five 

 mairied women, or five virgins, anoint the bride with turmeric 



