20 
The Bengali Poem, Candi. 
Lucky the hour and lucky is the day, 
And all the household wear their best array; 
By Bambha’s care, in garments turmeric-dyed, 
The daughter’s seated by her father’s side. 
And now the matron-world come flocking in, 
Their shouts of Ulu rise in cheerful din, 
"While the invited guests from far and near 
Come trooping up to share the festal cheer. 
The drum, lute, pipe, gong, cymbals, conch, and hells— 
Every known instrument the concert swells; 
The deafening sounds the house tumultuous fill, 
While dancing girls display their agile skill. 
Next, to the Sun the offerings due are given, 
To Ganeg, Brahma, and the planets seven,* * * § 
And her f who guards the children, power benign, 
The churning stick set upright as her sign ; 
While chanting priests the Yedic texts repeat, 
And the nine offerings place in order meet— 
Earth, perfumes, stones, rice, durba grass, and flowers, 
Eruits, ghi, and curds—to please the heavenly powers. 
Next silver, gold, a mirror for the bride, 
And pigments, yellow, red, and black, beside ; 
Cowries and shells, whose hues were ne’er surpassed, 
And a full dish, with lighted lamps, the last. 
In a clear voice the Brahmans chant the Yed, 
The while Janardan binds their hands with thread. 
Next to the Mothers J offerings are addressed, 
To Buci, Gaurl, Padma, and the rest, 
And to the Nandlmukhs § are set to fall 
The seven due lines of ghi along the wall; 
While Bambha with her pitcher hurries round, 
Placing the auspicious water on the ground. 
* The grahas are properly nine, as the ascending and descending nodes are included in 
the number. 
f Sasthi, i.e. Durga, as guarding on the sixth day after birth, when the chief danger 
for mother and child is over. 
f The sixteen Matris. 
§ A particular class of deceased ancestors, in whose honour a special sign is traced with 
ghi on the wall. 
