282 On the Marriage Rites and Usages [Junn, 
proper that persons seized with small-pox should be attended by old 
women alone. 
Another still more extraordinary act of devotion is then performed, 
the worship of the Gohra or place in which the filth of the palace 
is deposited. The worship consists in sprinkling water, perfumes, and. 
sweetmeats on the mass; and it is said to be indicative of the wish on 
the part of the worshipper, that his progeny may increase and multiply 
even as the heap of rubbish before him. In like manner, the Hindts 
are accustomed to throw their sucking teeth on a dunghill, uttering at 
the time a prayer that their new teeth may quickly appear, and increase 
even as the dunghill has increased. Strange as this worship may ap- 
pear to us, we should not forget that it may be defended by classical 
precedents. Ifthe Romans adored their ‘‘ Cloacina,’’ surely a less 
civilized people may be excused for worshipping the Gohra. 
Upon the termination of these several acts of devotion (rité peremp- 
tis), there remains the ceremony of the Bhdt to be performed, which is 
the presentation by the brothers and other male relatives (of the 
Ranis), of marriage clothes, and presents to the Raja. The presents 
consist of elephants, horses, camels, clothes for the Raja and 
Ranis* and ashrafees; and are given first to the Parohits, then to 
the Ranis and female attendants, and lastly to the Raja. In return 
for these presents the donors receive rice from the Raja. Hence the 
name of the ceremony. 
When the Raja’s mother has put on the marriage dress thus: pre- 
sented to her, and the circumstance has been communicated to friends 
and people assembled, the marriage is considered to have commenced, 
and the liveliest marks of rejoicing are exhibited. 
The day before that on which the “‘ bardt’’ or marriage cavalcade 
starts for the place at which the wedding is to be solemnized, the de- 
putations sent by foreign states in honour of the marriage are feasted 
by the Raja; after the entertainment is over the whole of the Raja’s 
relatives stand up, and whilst the Prince himself remains seated on the 
guddee throw rupees, &c. into a flat iron dish. The women singing the 
following words: 
“ Téiné khayo pett pusdr yun to lejaega minh mar,” or you have 
* His mother, grand-mother, &c. not his future wife. 
_ + The act of putting on the dress thus presented is called “ bhdét paharana,” a 
curious idiom enough. 
¢ This is an allusion to the Péthya, or allowance of food given by the state to 
the relatives of the Raja. A Péthya is literally a bellyful, but varies in quantity and 
quality according tc the pleasure of the granter and rank of the grantee. The 
