﻿OF THE HINDUS, &C. 255 



obsequies, into the fire ; and then proceeds to the 

 cemetery for the purpose of gatheiing the ashes 

 of the deceased. 



The son or nearest relation of the dcfan6l, ac- 

 companied by his kinsmen, and clothed in clean 

 apparel, repairs to the cemetery, carrying eight 

 vessels filled with various fiowers, roots and similar 

 things. ^Vllen arrived there, he does honuuir to the 

 place by presenting an argha with perfumes, blos- 

 soms, fragrant resins, a lamp, &c. Some of his 

 kinsmen invoke the deities of tlie cemetery when 

 the argha is presented; others, when ilowers are 

 offered ; others again, when food, fragrant resins, a 

 lighted lamp, water, wreathes of (lowers, and rice are 

 offered, saying, " salutation to the deities, whose 

 mouths are devouring fire." He advances to tlie 

 northern gate*, or extremity of the funeral pile ; sits 

 down there ; and presents two vessels as an obla- 

 tion to spirits, with this prayer, " May the adorable 

 and eternal Gods, wlio are present in this cemetery, 

 accept from us this eightfold unperishable oblation: 

 may they convey the deceased to pleasing and eter- 

 nal abodes, and grant to us life, health, and' perfect 

 ease. This eightfold oblation is offered to Siva and 

 other deities, salutation unto them." Then walking 

 round the spot with his right side towards it, he suc- 

 cessively places two other vessels, containing eight 

 different thin<rs, at each of the tliree other "-ates or 

 sides of the enclosure which surrounds the funeral 

 pile ; and he presents these oblations with the san)e 

 formality as before, sprinkles them with milk, and 

 adds, " may S'l va and the other deities depart to tlicir 

 respective abodes." He then shilts the sacerdotal 

 string to his right shoulder, turns his face towards 

 the south ; silently sprinkles the bones and ash.LS with 

 cow's milk, and, using a bi-ancli of "Sami, aiiil ano- 

 ther 



• The practice of enclosing the funeral pile with temporary walls is 

 almost universally disused. 



