No. 26.- 



1883.] P ADD ST CULTIVATION CUSTOMS. 



75 



hold it for a while in rosin smoke, over which he has muttered 

 the following charm 108 times, and afterwards release it in the 

 field 



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O'nnamo ! By the power of Lord Buddha who came to dispel the 

 pestilence of the great city Wistila, this very day all ye flower- dies, 

 black flies, proboscis-armed flies, and earth grubs of this field, away, 

 away ( 6du, 6du ) ; stay not. Let it be so ! ( E'svdh ). 



Namo ! Ye flower-flies, proboscis-armed flies, tiny flies, ash flies, born 

 from the mouth of Gaja-kumba-dala-?'dksha-dewatdwd, go, stay not in 

 this field. In the name of the Triad ( O'n Trin) and Kataragama 

 Deviyo ( Baranet J. Be it so !* 



(&) 



The following well-known gdthdwa is recited 108 times over 

 some sand, which is strewn in the field at dusk, while four lamps 

 (the oil used having been prepared without being tasted) are kept 

 burning at its four corners : — 



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Abstain from all sin ; 



Acquire merit ; 



Purify the heart : 



This the Buddha's commandment. 



" Evil swells the debts to pay, 

 Good delivers and acquits. 

 Shun evil, follow good; hold sway 

 Over thyself. This is the way." 



C Light of Asia.) 



Throughout the performance of this kema, and until next morn- 

 ing, the person so occupied must not converse with anybody. 



* Almost every charm begins with the words 0'® Trip,, which in Sanskrit 

 are an invocation to the Hindu Trinity." The Kattaxliyas not being wor- 

 shippers of that Trinity, and not understanding the purport of the words, but 

 attributing to them some mysterious magical properties, freq lent'y add them 

 to Sinhalese charms, in which the virtues and omnipotence of Buddha are 

 described, in very grandiloquent style-, to the exclusion of those of the Hindu 



