THE JAIX8* 251 



be admitted to the sacred presence of God. I In 

 splitting firewood, 2 Forming the floor, and smear- 

 ing it with cow-dung, 3 Cleaning the fire-place, 

 4 Straining water, 5 Sweeping the house. When 

 about to perform these ofhces, he should first be 

 careful that there he no insect, for it is a mortal sin 

 to hurt any living being. 



The women should marry before their monthly 

 courses appear; though, owing to changes, and par- 

 ticularly their poverty and depression, they are now 

 •obliged to put off this ceremony till long after their 

 proper age, for want of money to defray the ex- 

 pense. When a woman is unclean, she must stay 

 at a distance from her relations, in unchanged 

 clothes, for four days. On the morning of the fifth 

 day she is permitted to mix with her family, after 

 ablution. 



A Jain woman never marries but once ; and, if the 

 husband dies when she is young, she must remain a 

 widow as long as she lives, being forbidden to wear 

 ornaments or delicate apparel, or to use nice food. 

 In the western quarter, towards Saondha, Caodyalj 

 Sic. when the husband departs from the world, the 

 widow's head is shaved in like manner as the Bi^dh- 

 men widows of other countries; but this custom has 

 gone out of use in this country for a considerable 

 time : a widow never dresses elegantly ; and is not 

 allowed to wear glass rings, or the Mangalasiitra, 

 (an ornament on the wedding-day, tied round the 

 neck of the bride by the husband,) nor to use the 

 yellow and red colours, or paint, by which married 

 women are particularly distinguished. While the hus- 

 band lives, they may wear all ornaments allowed by 

 the law : opulent people of this tribe are still per- 

 mitted to dress like other Hbidus, in all kind of 

 costly apparel suited to their station. 



not admitting the efficiency of religious acts, are content to use pre- 

 cautions to avoid the sin. H. T. C. 



