Dec. 1833.] and a Description of the Implements used. 611 
Sanydsa, because the scaffold is erected in a market place, and on the 
bank of ariver; afterwards when the Sanydsis return to the temple 
of Srva, they lie on their backs, upon the bare ground, in a row, close 
to each other, and the Gajanaya Brahman passes over them, treading 
upon their breasts. 
Phila Sanydsa.—Collecting and playing with fuel ; which they often 
procure by plundering gardens, and carrying off railings, loose doors, 
window frames, &c. They then make a large bonfire in the evening, 
and jump and walk over the flame, and play with the burnt charcoal, 
throwing the same upon one another; this is also called Aguna San- 
yasa. 
Nila Sanydsa—is the worship of Ninava’ri, a wife of Siva: the 
Sanyasis visit Kalighat or temples of Sacti and Siva, where they pierce 
their sides, tongues, and the skins of their foreheads. This is called 
Bana Phord, and on the occasion they collect presents and gifts from 
the spectators, who far from encouraging these self-tortures, pay 
them something to get rid of the sight of their bleeding limbs. 
Jhula Sanydsa,—is climbing upon a scaffold, hanging with the 
head downward, and making afire below. The fire is fed with the 
powder of Indian pitch. 
Charak.—Eating Chehatu or bran, and swinging on the Charak Gach 
or post, erected for the purpose. Among these Sanydsis there are 
several other ceremonies of note, some of which must be noticed here: 
Khatunt, shaking and turning the head, rolling about the shrine of 
Stva, beating the forehead, sitting up all night, and singing 
Tarja, or songs addressed to Siva; sometimes, but not always, in his 
praise. Phila kd dana, extracting or receiving the flowers laid upon the 
Linga, which they think fall down at their solicitation ; and prayers to 
the god, who is pleased to throw them down as a sign of affirmation or 
negation to the question made to him by the Méla Sanydsi, or the 
priest for himself or on behalf of his friends. If the flower does not 
come down after a certain time, it is then supposed that the god is not 
propitiated, and the Deyule, (proprietor,) Mandala, (agent,) the Mila, 
(head,) and other Sanydsis, and sometimes the priest himself, are tied up 
by the hands, and suspended to the verandah, all round the shrine of 
Siva, while the Sanydsis redouble their Khatuéni before the idol, and 
the drummer beats his drum with all strength; the Sanydsis and others 
remain suspended from off the ground till the flowers fall. The 
flowers are at first laid upon one another, and then placed upon the 
top of the Linga, which is oiled, and is consequently slippery : water 
is thrown upon it by drops, which assists to wash off the flowers, and 
3K 2 
