PILLI CHARMS. 87 



charms already noticed, although the effects produced by them are 

 brought about by demons, yet these demons themselves, never 

 appear visibly to men even in disguise, except at the Jeewama 

 ceremony of some of them. But the Pilli charms are considered 

 to be so singular]/ powerful, that the demons assume some visible 

 shape, while executing the duty assigned them by the charm. Be- 

 sides, the effects of a Pilli charm are said to be instantaneous, 

 almost simultaneous with the conclusion of the Jeewama. In the 

 case of Hooniyan (a very few excepted), several months may 

 elapse before the charm begins to take effect, and even then it takes 

 a considerable time to bring the man to his grave. In Angams 

 there is an interval of seven hours between the moment of death 

 and the time, when the charm first takes effect. But in Pilli, death 

 is the only effect, and that almost simultaneous with the Jeewama. 

 Again, both in Hooniyans and Angams, even after they have taken 

 effect, there is still a chance of a cure at any time before the man 

 breathes his last; but the moment a Pilli charm takes effect, there is 

 an end of every hope of escape, even though the actual moment of 

 death may be an hour or two later. If a man however be a sorcerer 

 himself, and, before the charm has taken effect on him, is able to 

 ascertain that a Pilli is directed against him, he can, if he is ac- 

 quainted with the necessary counter charms, ward off the danger, 

 provided he immediately does what is necessary. There are eighteen 

 different Pillis, of which Cumara Pilli is the most popular. We give 

 below the names of these 18. They are as follows: — 



1. 



Reeri Pilli 



10. 



Maha Sohon Pilli 



2. 



Naga Pilli 



11. 



Oddi Pilli 



3, 



Cumara Pilli 



12. 



Debara Pilli 



4. 



Coli Pilli 



13. 



Bambara Pilli 



5. 



Kan-ya Pilli 



14. 



WidigaPilli 



6. 



Kana Mediri Pilli 



15. 



Singha Pilli 



7, 



Garunda Pilli 



16. 



Gaja Pilli 



8. 



Curumini Pilli 



17. 



Gini Pilli 



9. 



Mala Pilli . 



18. 



Neecha Cula Pilli. 



