87 
1884.] of Religion in the Himalaya. 
trees and plants :— Arha (Galatropis gigantea), Paldsa (Butea frondosaf 
Khadira (Acacia catechu), Ajpdmdrga (Achyranthes aspera), Pipala (Ficus 
religiosa) and TJdumhara (Ficus glomerata), 8'ami (Acacia smna), Burvd 
(Gynodon dactylon) and kusa (Fragrostis cynosuroides). These pieces of 
wood and plants mnst not be crooked, broken, worm-eaten, and 
must be steeped in curds, lioney and clarified butter befor they are 
olfered to the nine planets as a Jioma. If the wood of the other trees 
mentioned is not procurable that of the paldsa or khadira may be used 
alone. There are three positions for the hand during the homa :—(1) 
the mrigi (doe), (2) the hamsi (female swan) and (3) sukari (sow). In 
the sukari the hand is closed and the fingers lie in the palm on the hand; 
the mrigi extends the little-finger whilst the remaining fingers continue 
within the palm of the hand, and the hamsi extends the fore-finger 
whilst the hand is closed. The mrigi-mudrd comes into use in all cere¬ 
monies undertaken in order to avoid threatened dangers or the retribution 
due to evil deeds : the hamsi-mudrd in the rites observed for increase in 
health, wealth or prosperity, and the sukari-mudrd in spells for malevolent 
purposes, in incantations against an enemy and for causing any mental or 
bodily misfortune to him. If the homa takes place without its proper 
spell (mudrd), the offering is fruitless and misfortune shall assuredly 
occur to both the celebrant and his client. 
The ohlation. —The homa is then offered in the name of each deity 
with a short dedication and mantra whilst the name of the presiding 
Rishi supposed to be present is given as well as the form of Agni. As 
this ceremony is gone through forty-two times, the result may be tabu¬ 
lated as follows :—■ 
The nine planets. 
No. 
Name of 
deity. 
Material 
employed 
in the homa. 
Initial words of 
mantra. 
Presiding 
Rishi. 
Form of 
Agni. 
1 
Sun 
Arlca 
Om Akrishne, &c. 
Hiranyastupa. 
Kapila. 
2 
Moon 
Paldsa ... 
Om imam devd asa- 
patna gram, &c. 
Gautama. 
Pingala. 
3 
Bhauma ... 
Khadira 
Om agnir murddhd, &c. 
V irupaksha. 
Dhiimraketu. 
4 
Budha 
Apdmdrga, 
Om udhudhyasvdgne, 
&c. 
Parameshthi. 
Jathara. 
5 
Vrihaspati, 
Pippala... 
Om vrihaspate, &c. 
Gritsamada. 
S'ikhi. 
6 
Sukra 
Udumbara, 
Om anndtparisrutora- 
sam, &c. 
Prajapati, Asvi, 
Sarasvati and 
Indra. 
Hataka. 
7 
bam 
Sami 
Om sannodevir abhish- 
tayah, &c. 
D adhy ahhathar- 
vana. 
Mahateja. 
8 
Rahu 
Durvd ... 
Om kayd nas chitra, &c. 
Vamadeva. 
Hutasana, 
9 
Ketu 
Kusa 
Om keturn, &c. 
Madhuchchhanda. 
Rohita. 
