﻿Oir THE HINl)US, kc. 275 



lation to the Gods must be left on a clean spot of 

 ground as an oblation to all beings, intended, how- 

 ever, for dogs and crows in particular. It is pre- 

 sented with the following prayer, which is taken 

 from the Purcin'as. " May Gods, men, cattle, 

 birds, demigods, benevolent genii, serpents, demons, 

 departed spirits, blood thirsty savages, treeSj and 

 all who desire food given by me ; 2. May reptiles, 

 insects, flies, and all hungry beings, or spirits con- 

 cerned in this rite, obtain contentment from this 

 food left for them by me; and may they become 

 happy : 3. jMay they, who have neither mother, nor 

 father, nor kinsman, nor food, nor means of obtain- 

 ing it, be satisfied with that which is offered by me 

 on this spot for their contentment, and be cheerful." 

 Or the following prayer may be used, *' To animals 

 who night and day roam in search of food offered to 

 the spirits ; he who desires nourishment, should give 

 something ; may the lord of nourishment grant it 

 unto me. " 



He concludes by performing a lustration similar to 

 that which has been already noticed, but much shorter. 

 After thus completing the other sacraments, the house- 

 holder should present food to his guests, that is, to 

 any person who claims his hospitality. When he has 

 thus allotted. out of the food prepared for his own re- 

 past, one portion to the Gods, a second to progeni- 

 tors, a third to all beings, and a fourth to his guests, 

 he and his family may then, and not before, con- 

 sume the remaining portion of the food. Whenever 

 a spiritual preceptor, a devotee, or an officiating 

 priest, a bridegroom, or a particular friend, comes 

 as a guest, he is received with honours, which will 

 be described among the nuptial ceremonies. In the 

 entertainment of other guests no religious rites are 

 performed, nor any pra3'ers recited. 



The householder is enjoined to give daily alms; 

 but no particular time is prescribed for tlie dis- 

 tribution of them : he is simply directed to give food 



T2 . ^o 



