I02 Wilder Theodore Elmore 



told her that if she could prevent his crossing the Paleru river 

 on his return from battle, he would marry her. 



After a time Katama Razu ended the battle and driving the 

 cattle, the spoils of battle, before him, set out on his return jour- 

 ney. When he reached the Paleru river Gangamma was there. 

 Taking an ox and a heifer she hid them under a rock beside 

 the river, and then sat on a branch of a tree to see what would 

 happen. 



After Katama Razu had driven the herd across the river, he 

 counted them and found that two were missing. He returned 

 and searched everywhere, but without success. Gangamma finally 

 appeared, and showing him the animals, took them out from 

 under the rock. She now reminded him of his promise to marry 

 her if she were able to impede his progress. Realizing that he 

 was caught, he told her that if she would be born in the house 

 of his uncle, he would marry her. Gangamma consented, and in 

 this way became incarnated, and is now worshiped as the wife of 

 Katama Razu. 



In this legend Gangamma appears as the Adi Sakti, a position 

 usually assigned to Ellamma in the popular folklore. The story 

 is like the most of the local stories in that the goddess is a Sakti 

 who was incarnated as a woman, and is worshiped after her 

 death. It is probable that Gangamma was at first a Perantalu. 

 Katama Razu has also been deified, and is often worshiped in 

 connection with Gangamma.^ 



^ There are many myths about Katama Razu. In the worship of Gan- 

 gamma a Madiga cuts off the pith post as described on page 36. The 

 following narrative explains the act. When Katama Razu was reigning 

 in Nellore, he was engaged in a war. His brothers could not come to 

 help him, so he sent for Berunaydu, a Madiga king, who at once fitted 

 out an expedition and came to his relief. All the earth trembled when this 

 •doughty king set forth. The gods saw him, and knowing that he was 

 certain to conquer, determined to prevent his progress. They placed a 

 great log across the road, such a log as no one had ever seen before, and 

 one that it was impossible to scale. Berunaydu came to the obstacle, and 

 said, " If I can cross this log it will be a great honor to me in the eyes 

 of Katama Razu, but if I cannot, I must return in disgrace." Saying this, 

 he drew his sword, and with one stroke cut the log in two. His army 

 passed through, and went on to victory. This sword appears to be con- 



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