228 THE SUPERINTENDENT OP ETHNOGRAPHY, BENGAL, ON 



securing long life and prosperity for the wearer's offspring ; Aksaya Kavac in copper, to 

 prevent miscarriage ; Navagraha Kavac in gold, for the propitiation of. the planets, who 

 are the origin of all the good and evil in the world ; Mahesvari Kavac in gold, to cure 

 serious illness ; Bayu Kavac, containing the mantra of the god Paban or Bayu, in 

 asiadhatu, against insanity or hysteria : Mrtabatsa 1 Kavac, in copper, to avert the. calami- 

 ty known by that name : S'iva Kavac, for the destruction of enemies and the increase of 

 knowledge; Sita Kavac, for affection ; Durga Kavac, for success in the face of difficulties, 

 against evil spirits, and for wealth ; Hanuman Kavac, for the cure of gout and rheuma- 

 tism ; Ganesa Kavac, for wisdom, long life, success, wealth, destruction of enemies or 

 the attainment of a particular object; Nrsirhha Kavac, against mrta-batsa, and for safety 

 by land and water ; Visnu Kavac, for regard ; Suryya Kavac, for the cure of disease, and 

 protection against danger and evil spirits ; Gopal Kavac, for salvation ; Argala Kavac, 

 for the mitigation of sin ; Sarasvati Kavac, for learning ; Laksmi Kavac, for wealth ; 

 Kali Kavac, against premature death. A Kavac, given to a person by his Guru, and 

 containing his special mantra, is known as an Ista Kavac. It is encased in lead for 

 the fulfilment of a special object, but, more frequently, in gold or copper, to ensure the 

 efficacy of prayers, and is adored daily. 



The metal of the case varies, and is usually prescribed by the giver of the charm. 

 Brass, however, is very rarely used. Sometimes the mantras are wrapped in cloth or wax- 

 cloth, but when this is done the outer covering must always be red or of a dark colour. 

 In some cases the mantras are inscribed on plates of stone, metal or wood. The metal 

 plate may be rolled into a hollow cylinder and attached to the person by a thread passed 

 through it. A zinc amulet of this kind is often worn by women who are liable to miscarriage 

 and to produce still-born children. If the child is safely born, the amulet is transferred to its 

 neck and remains there until worn out. The deity who presides over the amulet is often 

 represented on the case. This is specially the case with Kali or Bhagvati (who is some- 

 times representsd by a lion), Hanuman and Ganesa. Kali is particularly powerful in 

 averting the effects of witchcraft. Ganesa is the emblem of peace and wisdom and 

 confers blessings upon his votaries ; while the name of Hanuman, the favourite of Ram, 

 will drive away evil spirits. These spirits are always hovering round to try and find some 

 flaw in the materials, contents, design or consecration of the amulet, but dare not approach 

 it when it is thus guarded. The figure of Hanuman is very commonly found on amulets 

 given by the Ramayat Sannyasis, who adore him as Mahabir before beginning any task. 

 This practice is more prevalent in Bihar and Orissa than in Bengal, where amulets are only 

 ornamented with floral designs, if at all. The shape of the Kavac is sometimes prescribed 

 and sometimes left to individual fancy. From the nature of its contents it is usually rec- 

 tangular, but it is often made to correspond with the form of the symbol of the presiding 

 deity or planet; for example the Suryya Kavac is round, and the Vrhaspati Kavac is shaped 

 like a lotus flower. The mantra is usually consecrated and placed in its case by the writer. 

 The deity whose assistance is invoked is worshipped, and the consecration {Pur as -car an) 



I Mrta-batsa is the name given to the misfortune of a woman whose children die in the womb or within a short time after 

 birth. 



