1870.] On the Funeral Ceremonies of the ancient Hindus. 247 



the animal is to be set free. The mantra for the sacrifice says : 

 " Companion of the dead, we have removed the sins of the dead by 

 thee ; so that no sin or decrepitude may approach us."* The address 

 after the immolation runs thus : " Companion of the dead, we have 

 made thy life inert ; thou attainest the earth by thy body, and the 

 region of the manes by thy life. Pardon us and our children in 

 this world."f A third address to the cow follows when her body is 

 being dusted, it is to this effect — " dear one, say not that I am 

 so killed, for thou art a goddess and virtuous, going to the region 

 of the Pitris, travelling by the adorable sky : keep us well supplied 

 with milk in this and the future world. "J 



If it be necessary to let loose the cow, she is to be made to walk 

 thrice round the pyre, while the leader repeats a mantra each time, 

 then sanctified by another which simply says, " Maj^est thou be a 

 source of satisfaction by thy milk to those who are living (in my 

 family), and those who are dead, and those who are just born, as well 

 as those who may be born hereafter, "§ and, lastly, let loose with the 

 words, " This cow is the mother of the Buclras, the daughter of the 

 Vasus, the sister of the Adityas, and the pivot of our happiness, 

 therefore I solemnly say unto all wise men, kill not this sacred 

 harmless cow. Let her drink water and eat grass. Om ! I let her 

 loose. "|| 



The next operations are to dig a trench, arrange fuel thereon, 

 wash, shave and pare the nails of the corpse, and place it on the pyre 



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