22Z OX THE DITTIES 



" As to the ceremor from the lighting of the 

 <c funeral pile to the Pmda; whoever lights the pile, 

 * c shall also offer the Pinda." Va'yu Pur ana. 



In certain circumstances the widow is disqualified 

 for this act of a Sati. 



" She who has an infant child, or is pregnant, or 

 " whose pregnancy is doubtful, or who is unclean, 

 " may not, O princess ! ascend the funeral pile. 



" So said N a'reda to the mother of S agar a.'* 



" The mother of an infant shall not relinquish the 

 " care of her child to ascend the pile; nor shall one 

 <c who is unclean (from a periodical cause) or whose 

 *' time for purification after child-birth is not passed, 

 " nor shall one who is pregnant, commit herself to the 

 " flames (q). But the mother of an infant may, if 

 M the care of the child can be otherwise provided/' 



Vrihaspatt. 



In the event of a Brahnana dying in a distant 

 country, his widow is not permitted to burn herself. 



" A Pipra or Brahmana may not ascend a second 

 " pile." Go'tama. 



But with other casts, this proof of fidelity is not 

 precluded by the remote decease of the husband, and 

 is called Ami gam ana. 



" The widow, on the news of her husband's dying 

 ^ in a distant country, should expeditiously burn 

 " herself: so shall she obtain perfection." Vya'sa. 



(</) It has been erroneously asserted, that a wife, pregnant at the 

 time of her husband's death, may burn herself after delivery. 

 Hindu authorities positively contradict it. In addition to the text 

 it maybe remarked, that it is a maxim, t4 What was prevented in 

 '* its season, may not afterwards be resumed." 



ft Should 



