﻿244 ON THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES 



throw up some water towards the south, and after 

 plunging once under the surface of the river, they 

 rub themselves with their hands. An oblation of 

 water must be next presented from tbe joined palms 

 of the hands, naming the deceased and the family 

 from which he sprung, and saying, " may this obla- 

 tion reach thee." If it be intended to show particu- 

 lar honour to the deceased, three offerings of water 

 may be thus made. 



After finishing the usual libations of M^ater to 

 satisfy the manes of the deceased, they quit the river 

 and shift their wet clothes for other apparel ; they 

 then sip water without swallowing it, and sitting 

 down on the soft turf, alleviate their sorrow by the 

 recital of the following or other suitable moral sen- 

 tences, refraining at the same time from tears and 

 lamentation. 



1. " Foolish is he who seeks permanence in the 

 *^ human state, unsolid like the stem of the plantain 

 *' tree, transient like the foam of the sea." 



2. " When a body, formed of five elements to re- 

 *' ceive the reward of deeds done in its own former 

 *' person, reverts to its five original principles, what 

 *' room is there for regret?" 



3. " The earth is perishable, the ocean, the Gods 

 *' themselves pass away : how should not that bubble, 

 " mortal man, meet destruction.^" 



4. , " All that is low must finally perish ; all that 

 *' is elevated must ultimately fall ; all compound 

 " bodies must end in dissolution, and life is con- 

 '' eluded with death." 



5. Unwillingly do the manes of the deceased 

 " taste the tears and rheum shed by their kinsmen ; 

 *' then do not wail, but diligently perform the obse- 

 " quies of the dead *." 



At 



* The recital of these verses is specially directed by Ya'jnta^ 

 WALCYA, b. S. V. 7. &c. 



