18 ' MANTRA GAJAH. 



1 5. This mantra is called the King of the Elephants. 



We go to some high land and make a hole in the ground 

 bv turning round on our heel, and we take the earth which Ave 

 have thus worked out of the hole and over it we repeat 

 the mantra three times in a single breath. We next put the 

 piece of earth upon the crown of our head ; then we put it 

 down on the ground in front of us, and again we put our heel 

 upon it, and turn round on it three times repeating the same 

 mantra three times again in a single breath. 



The use of it is to stop the herd and to prevent it from 

 going far- 



Om pawpang maha pang pit om taw sahom 

 sitikon tana sahom. 



16. This is to keep the herd fixed in one place and to 

 prevent it from going far. The meaning of it is " in chains." 



OM BANG CHANG BANGDI BANGTU BANGRU BANGTI 

 PAPA KAMU KAMAYA OM BANG SARAPA BANG AH AH 

 AH. 



17. This mantra will restrain the elephants, and prevent 

 them from going far. We break a stick into eight pieces, or 

 we we break it into many pieces, as we walk round the place 

 where the herd is feeding or resting ; and as we thus surround 

 the herd we repeat the mantra. 



Pantang pok chakai tamang pok chakai sangkang 

 pak chak ai. 



18. This mantra is used when the elephants have entered 

 either the larger or the smaller enclosure. It is repeated over 

 the kunyit trus, which the homo * then either himself sprinkles 

 all round the enclosure or gives to the men to sprinkle. While 

 this sprinkling is being performed one must not cross the 

 enclosure. 



IKRIMIN PUNI CHI CHANARAK. 



* The homo is the man in charge of the operations. He is selected 

 for his knowledge of the mantras and of the rites, and for his experi- 

 ence. He generally has some pnpils under him who are known as 

 the lesser bomos. 



Jour, .Straits Branch 



