Dravidian Gods in Modern Hinduism 57 



are made he will remain inside the temple so as not to see them." 



PosHAMMA. The name means the one who supports or nour- 

 ishes. The following vivid description^ presents a good example 

 of the family or private worship of one of these deities. 



" I halted my pony in front of several idols that showed signs of 

 recent worship, and began to ask questions about them. Being 

 told that a sacrifice was about to be offered by some of the vil- 

 lagers, I waited and saw the whole ceremony. 



"A small procession of a dozen people or so, men, women, and 

 children, came filing out of the village. They were led by a 

 Madiga beating a drum. After him came two men of the washer- 

 man caste, each carrying a lamb, and after them came the women, 

 each with a brass chemhu, or drinking cup, of water, and with 

 baskets containing food and other offerings. The whole proces- 

 sion marched three times around the ' green tree ' under which 

 the idols stood, and then halted in front of them. The washer- 

 man placed the lambs on the ground in front of the idols. The 

 two women splashed water over the idols, and then bowing low 

 worshiped them. After this they put spots of red, yellow, and 

 purple all over the idols, pressing on the powder with the thumbs 

 of their right hands. This done, each woman placed a small leaf 

 plate of rice before each image, poured ghee and curds over the 

 food, and lighted incense. They then worshiped the idols again. 



" Next they turned their attention to the sacrificial lambs. 

 These were treated to a splash of water in the face, and colored 

 powder on the nose and forehead, after which they were released 

 for a moment to see if they would shake their heads. Either to 

 get the water out of its ear, or to shake off its recent bondage, one 

 of the Iambs shook its head, thus signifying that the goddess was 

 pleased with the sacrifice. The lamb which did not shake its 

 head was promply treated to another splash of water and applica- 

 tion of colored powder, when it also shook its head. One of the 

 women explained that this delay was caused by her neglecting to 



^ In this way any goddess may be permanent in one place, and an in- 

 terloper in another. 



7 For this description I am indebted to Charles Rutherford of Hanuma- 

 konda, Deccan. 



57 



