244 On the Funeral Ceremonies of the ancient Hindus. [No. 4, 



After the homa, a cot raade of Udumbara wood (Ficus glomarataj 

 is to be provided, and, having spread on it a piece of black antelope 

 skin with the hairy side downwards and the head pointing to the 

 sonth, the corpse is to be laid thereon with the face upwards. A 

 son, brother or other relative, or in their absence whoever takes the 

 lead, should next address the corpse to give up its old clothing, 

 and dress it in a new suit.* The body is then covered with a piece 

 of unbleached, uncut cloth, having fringes on both sides ; the opera- 

 tion being performed while repeating a mantra. f Then, wrapping 

 it in its bedding or a mat, it is to be borne on its cot to the place of 

 cremation. The removal, according to some authorities, should be 

 made by aged slaves ; according to others on a cart drawn by two 

 bullocks. The mantra for the purpose, says, " I harness these two 

 bullocks to the cart, for the conveyance of your life, whereby you 

 may repair to the region of Yama — to the place where the virtuous 

 resort,"]: clearly indicating that the most ancient custom was, to 

 employ a cart and not men. As valayana suggests one bullock. Any- 

 how, the ancient Sutrakaras evince none of the repugnance to the 

 employment of Sudras for the removal of the corpse of a Brahman, 

 which the modern Smarthas entertain on the subject. According to 

 the latter, none but the kith and kin of the dead should perform 

 this duty, and the touch of other than men of one's own caste is pol- 

 lution, which can be atoned for only by the performance of an ex- 

 piatory ceremony. § When Sir Cecil Beadon, the late Lieutenant- 



* The mantra for the purpose says : — 



«rs^T fa 3*ra ii ^ a 



" Give up the cloth thou hast hitherto worn ; remember the ishta and purta 

 sacrifices thou hast performed, the fees (to Brahmans thou hast given) and those 

 (gifts thou hast) bestowed on thy friends." 



" This cloth comes to thee first." 

 t ^prRcr*?T ^re^TT ^ rTTT«^*r c$it-*{ m ^Nsj ^T^fTJ SHTW W3! 



xItt ^rrfs* ^ wf ^ra^taro ?ret i smor *wor ^T^f tract wift 

 sr^WTfTii a ii 



§ This prejudice first manifested itself, though in a mitigated form, in the 

 time of Manu, who says, " Let no kinsman, whilst any of hia own class are at 



