74 



JOURNAL, R. A, S. (CEYLON). [Vol. VIII. 



4< Pase Buddha went to Ratel Rusiya, who had nothing to offer as 

 alms. He went and begged of Maha Brahma, who gave him rat-el (hill- 

 paddy). He sowed it. The first leaf was covered by getapanuvd of 

 seven kinds. Then he prayed that through the power of Buddha the 

 grubs might leave : the grubs left. When the plant grew to its seventh 

 node, it bore an ear of golden hue. This ear was covered by seven 

 kinds of flies. Then also he entreated Buddha's supernatural power, 

 and the flies disappeared. That paddy was then pounded, the rice 

 boiled and offered for that day's noon-meal of the said Buddha. 



" By the influence of the same Buddha let the worms quit the plants 

 to-day also." 



Walking round the field repeating the above is supposed to 

 destroy getapanuvd. 



(*) 



Seven of these grubs are collected from a plant, and the follow- 

 ing pirit repeated over them : — 



eaadq, §C esoagSte ca£) ©0(33(33. 



" May the all-auspicious goddess of speech (Saraswati), the bestower 

 of the essence (of wisdom and eloquence), who dwells in the lotus-like 

 mouths of the illustrious and eminent sage Narada, &c, preserve you 

 (from all evil)." 



Three are then burnt with pas-pmgeri (five bitter kinds of 

 wood), and the remaining four enclosed in four pieces of reed and 

 buried at the four corners of the field. During the performance 

 of this ceremony the Kattddiyd should be naked, and at its con- 

 clusion remain dumb for seven peyas in an unfrequented place. 



(II.) Against Kokkandvd (Grubs). 



After dark a man steals three ilapata (ekel-brooms) from three 

 different houses. These he ties together with kehipittan-vela 

 (creeper) and hangs it to his waist-string behind. Proceeding 

 to the field, he walks three times round it, buries the bundle in 

 the main vakkada (opening through the dam) and returns home 

 unobserved. The whole time, and if possible till next morning, 

 he remains mute. 



(III.) Against Messd (Flies). 

 (a) 



The Yakdessd should spend the previous night in a lonely spot, 

 after having put on clean clothes (piruwata ) and eaten "milk-rice" 

 (kiri-bat). The following morning, without communicating with 

 any one, lie should go to the field. Having caught a fly, he must 



