﻿OF THE HINDUS, &C. 2^7 



entering the house, he causes tlie bride to be clothed 

 with a new waistcloth and scarf, while he recites 

 the subjoined prayers. " May those generous wo- 

 men, who spun and .wound the thread, and who 

 Av'ove the warp and weft of this cloth, generously 

 clothe tliee to old age : long lived woman ! put on 

 this raiment." " Clothe her. Invest her with ap- 

 parcel. Prolong her life to great age. May thou 

 live a hunched years. As long as thou livest, 

 amiable woman ! revere [tiuit is, carefully preserve] 

 beauty and vv'ealth." The lirst of these prayers is 

 nearly the same M'ith that which is used by the fol- 

 lowers of the Yajtish, when the scarf is put on the 

 bride's shouhier. It is preceded by a different one, 

 which is recited while the waistcloth is wrapped 

 round her. " -May thou reach old age. Put oa 

 this raim.ent. Be lovely : be chaste. Live a hun- 

 dred years. Invite [that is, preserve and obtain] 

 beauty, wealth, and male oifspring. Damsel ! put 

 on this apparel.'" Afterwards the following prayer is 

 recited : " JMay the assembled gods unite our hearts. 

 May the waters unite them. May air unite us. 

 iNlay the creator unite us. May the god of love 

 unite us." 



,liuT according to tlie followers of the Sdmaveda, 

 the bridegroom, immediately after the scarf has been 

 placed on the bride's shoulder, conducts her towards 

 the sacrificial lire, saying, " Soma [the regent of the 

 moon] gave her to a heavenly quiristcr*: tlie Gaud- 

 harba gave her to the regent of fire : fire has gi\'en 

 her to me, and with her wealth and male ottsprmg. " 

 The bride then goes to the western side of the fire, 

 and recites the following prayer, while she steps on a 

 mat made of V'lraiia grass f, and covered Avith silk. 

 *' May our lord assign me the path by which I may 



reach 



* Gun'avishn'u here explains Gandharla by the word A^ditja, 

 which may signify the sun, or a deity in general. 

 + Andropogon aromaticum or muricatum. 



