Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 31 



Renuka, Although this goddess is enumerated often as one 

 of the Seven Sisters, she appears to have no separate worship 

 or temple. Her history is much connected with the origins of all 

 the other goddesses, and will be given later.^^ 



When other goddesses are named as composing the group of 

 the Seven Sisters, the worship and ceremonies are much the same 

 as that which has been given.^^ None of the ceremonies are 

 without many variations, but the main features are always much 

 the same. The meaning and origin of these rites will be dealt 

 with later. 



CHAPTER IV 



Perantalu Worship 



A Perantalu is a woman whose husband is still living. She is 

 also described as a lucky woman or a woman who has attained 

 merit. This honorable name is extended to a woman who has 

 been a faithful wife, has borne children, and has died before her 

 husband. When the name is given to a woman who has died, 

 she becomes an object of worship. How this comes about will 

 be described in a later chapter.^ 



The origin of a Perantalu being of a pleasant nature, the wor- 

 ship is usually somewhat milder than that of other similar local 

 deities. The following illustrations will show the character of 

 the worship given to a Perantalu. 



In Matsavaram, in the Kandukuru Taluq^ of the Nellore Dis- 

 trict, there were at one time two women who were very benevo- 

 lent, their chief work being the gift of a large irrigation tank to 

 the village. They were mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. 

 After both had died they were called Perantalus, and as such 

 have been worshiped ever since. They are represented by two 

 ungraven stone images over which no temple has been built. 



27 See page 79. 



28 The District Manual of Kurnool District, 150 sq., gives a full ac- 

 count of ceremonies connected with the jatara of Peddamma or Sunkal- 

 lamma. All the ceremonies given in this chapter appear to be present, and 

 also a good deal which belongs to demon and sakti worship. 



1 Chapter VIII, pages 58 sq. 



2 A taluq corresponds to a county. 



31 



