Photo by Rev. W. P. El wood 

 CARRYING THE KAVADI 



Carrying a kavadi around the sacred rock is a favorite penance in southern India. The 

 kavadi, a wooden frame elaborate!}'- decorated with flowers and feathers, is held above the 

 head by one hand. Note also another form of penance, the iron chain beneath the chin 

 supported by a pin driven through the cheeks from side to side. 



Strengthened to work their will, whether 

 for good or ill." ''' 



Another story is that of the titanic old- 

 world conflict between Vasishta and Vis- 

 vamitra. In this story King Visvamitra, 

 in order to overcome his rival, underwent 

 the most terrible tortures, maintaining 

 absolute silence, suspending the breath 

 for hundreds of years. ''As he continued 

 to suspend his breath, smoke issued from 

 his head, to the great consternation of the 

 three worlds. The gods, rishis, etc., be- 

 ing alarmed, addressed Erahma, stating 

 that if the great muni were not stopped 

 he would destroy the three worlds by the 



* Oman in "Mystics, Saints, and Ascetics." 



force of his austerities. Said they: 'All 

 the regions of the universe are con- 

 founded ; no light anywhere shines ; all 

 the oceans are tossed and the mountains 

 crumble, the earth quakes, and the wind 

 blows confusedly. We cannot, O Brahma, 

 guarantee that mankind shall not become 

 atheistic' " 



During the period of the Brahmanas, 

 ending about 600 B. C, we find ascetics 

 living in the forest. They are called 

 Vanaprasthas, forest-dwellers. They 

 wore coats of bark or skin, wound up 

 their hair in matted coils, and lived largely 

 on woodland fare. They practiced va- 

 rious methods of severe austerity, endur- 

 ing extreme cold and heat, strange food, 



1278 



