﻿'26i ON THE RELIGIOUS CERE3I0XIES 



twelve other s'radd'has singl}' to the deceased in 

 twelve successive months : similar obsequies at the 

 end of the third fortnig-htj and also in the sixth 

 month, and in the twelfth ; and the oblation called 

 Sapiifdana, on the first anniversary of his decease. 

 In most provinces the periods for these sixteen ce;e- 

 monies, and for the concludins: bbsequies entitled 

 Sapin'dana, are anticipated, and the \\'hole is complct- 

 eVl on the second or third day. Alter which they are 

 again performed at the proper times, but in honour of 

 tlie whole set of progenitors instead of the deceased 

 singly. The obsequies intended to raise the shade 

 of the deceased to heaven are thus completed. 

 Afterwards a srddd'ha is annually oifered to liim on 

 the anniversarv of his decease. 



The form of the vjirious s'radd'has (for they are nu- 

 merous *) is so nearly the same, that it will be only 

 necessary to describe that which is performed in ho- 

 nour of progenitors in general; and at -which three 

 funeral cakes are offered to th.ree paternal ancestors ; 

 as many to three maternal fore-fathers, and two to 

 tlie Vis'ivedt'vas or assembled Gods. A s'rdddlui in 

 honour of one person singly has been already noticed. 



After 



* In a work entided N'u-neya S'tnd'ha, I find authority for classing 

 obsequies under twelve heads. 1. Daily obsequies, either with food, or 

 with -water only, in honour of ancestors in general, but excluding the. 

 Vii'-jjidenja. 2. Obfequies for a special cause ; that is, in honour of a 

 kinsman recently defunct. S. Voluntary obsequies, performed by way 

 of fupcrcrogation, for the greater benefit of the deceased. 4. Ob- 

 sequies for increafe of profperity, performed upon any accession of 

 wealth or profperity, and upon other joyful occasions. 5. A i'radd'ha 

 intended to introduce the shade of a deceased kinsman to the rest of the 

 manes. G. Obsequies performed on appointed days, Aich as that of 

 rew moon, full moon, sun's passage into a new sign, &c. 7. A i' rdd- 

 d'ha, to sanctify the food at an entertainment given to a company of 

 reverend perfons, 8. One performed when siaied numbers of priests 

 are fed at the cost of a person who needs purifil-ation from fome de- 

 filement, g. A s'rddd ha preparatory to the celebration of any folemii 

 rite, and considered as a part of sui.Ii rite. I(). i^' redd' has in hanouv 

 of deities. 11. Oblations of clarified batter, previous" to the under- 

 taking of a distant journey. IC. A s'rddd' ha to sanctify a meal ot 

 flesh meat, prepared simply for ih; ;ake of nourishment. 



