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



After the homa, a cot made of Udumbara wood (Ficus glomarata) 

 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 pieoa 

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

 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 pla 

 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 purpo . " I harness th( Be two 



bullocks to the cart, for the conveyance of your life, whereby \<>u 

 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'vahiyana suggests one bullock. Any- 

 how, the ancient Sutrakaraa 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 lieadon, the late Lieutenant^ 



* The mantra for the purpose says : — 



*&Qi fa 3*ra ii ^ ii 



" 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." 



t T^^TT ^m srotf ^TJPT II ^ II 



" This cloth comes to thee first." 



J ^^TT*JT ^JUrejT *TS eTf?<3J«r cfi£?T ^T ^2J ^TOT* SI^W Tf V' 



t^t -sprfe* ^ ^m\ w*r>if^ ^ret i umi ^w ^rec*f ^wrsTfa 



JT^fTTrTJI tf II 



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

 time of Mann, who says, " Let no kinsman, whilst any of his own class are at 



