THE SAORIAS OF THE RAJMAHAL HILLS. 67 



Beddu is given oil and food, and one spot of sindur is placed on his forehead (anyone 

 may affix the vermilion) . Then the Charri Beddu takes his leave. 



When all things are ready (pochai takes from five to seven days), the Banddri and 

 another individual go to the D emtio , taking with them some rice, sindur and a fowl's 

 egg. They tell the Demno that Pdu Duri is to be worshipped, and ask him to fix the 

 date, and select the man who is to perform the pujah, in order to please the godling. 

 The offerings brought are presented, but no answer is given immediately, and the visi- 

 tors stay the night. At dawn the Demno rises, and, after washing his hands and feet, 

 takes his seat facing the east, with a sal leaf in his hands. Oil is put on the sal leaf 

 and the Demno still holding it, says, " O Ber Gosain , so and so has the feast and pujah 

 ready for Pau Gosain , tell us who should begin the pujah in order to please the Pau 

 Gosain." He takes some of the rice brought and throws it at the oiled leaf, repeating 

 names as he does so, and, as soon as one grain sticks in answer to a name, the man 

 is found. The auspicious day is fixed by the same means. 



The Demno has a godling made of mud in his house, and, before consulting the 

 oracle of the leaf, he offers this godling some rice, and paints it with sindur, and he 

 prays for help to ascertain the auspicious day and the proper man. A Demno will not 

 disclose the name of this godling, but it is probably called Gurya Gosain ; this is the 

 godling of fits and hypnotism. After giving the Demno an invitation the visitors 

 return, and arrangements for food and leaf plates are made. One day before the pujah 

 the guests and the Demno arrive at midday. Drums are brought and beaten and the 

 Demno is given rice and pochai ; he then says, "Ban/ oh Manjhi (or any other name) 

 has invited me to this Pau Gosain pujah, and has prepared all things, and has given 

 me this food and this pochai, may his pujah be acceptable and his days many ! " He 

 then places some rice on the ground and pours a quantity of pochai on the earth. 

 After this he eats and drinks and everyone follows suit. Then the men and women 

 dance and sing all night. In the morning the householder, who is offering the pujah, 

 starts out with the Demno and the drummers, who dance and beat their drums. The 

 Demno leads the way. Everything prepared for the feast, a little of each is taken 

 in a sup (flat basket) with oil and sindur and some uncooked rice (ahora chawal), and 

 a bottle of paiki taddi (ddru)—this is essential. The pochai taken is for drinking 

 purposes ; it is not intended for the pujah. A white he-goat is led by the householder's 

 brother, or cousin, who carries an axe or sword, also a sal twig, with two leaves on either 

 side and a miniature bow and arrow. The Demno marches in front of the procession 

 carrying his bamboo staff. Outside the village, on the western path, he selects a spot, 

 and, clearing it with the help of others, he plasters a small part of it with water and 

 then fixes the sal twig and arrow thereon in line. The Demno now repeats spells and 

 mantras and generally excites himself. The bow is laid down in front and the offerings 

 are also laid beside it. The oil and sindur are mixed together and the two brothers 

 paint the ground, the twig and the arrow, and invoke Ber Gosain, making mention of 

 the offerings such as the goat and the ddru, and desire the deity to render the pujah 

 efficacious on behalf of Pau Gosain , asking, at the same time, that health and pros- 

 perity may follow. The head of the goat is marked with sindur, the first finger of the 



