the Samaveda. The saint further advised them to take out a lamp from within the temple, which according to tradition had existed from the time of Sri Rama, to a room built on the western ghat of the temple tank, and pray to Siva in terms of the hymn. While this was continued for forty-one days, six Brahmans, with Mayura Bhatta at their head, arrived from the east coast to the succour of the Nambutiris. With the help of these Brahmans, the Nambutiris kept up a protracted discussion with the Bouddhas. Wishing to bring it to a close, the Perumal thought of applying a practical test. He enclosed a snake within a pot, and asked the disputants to declare its contents. The Bouddhas came out first with the correct answer, while the Brahmans followed by saying that it was a lotus flower. The Perumal was, of course, pleased with the Bouddhas; but, when the pot was opened, it was found to contain a lotus flower instead of a snake. The Bouddhas felt themselves defeated, and ever afterwards the nalupadam hymn has been sung by the Nambutiris with a view to securing a variety of objects, every one of which they expect to obtain by this means. It is also said that, when the Brahmans were propitiating Siva at Trikkariyur, diverse spirits and angels were found amusing Parvati with their quips and cranks. A voice from heaven was then heard to say that such frolics should thereafter form part of the worship of Siva. "Engaged in these socio-religious performances are eighteen sanghas or associations. The chief office-bearers are the Vakyavritti who is the chief person, and must be an Ottu Nambutiri or a Nambutiri with full Vedic knowledge; the Parishakkaran who holds charge of the Yatrakali paraphernalia; and the guru or instructor. The chief household divinities of these soldier Nambutiris are Bhadrakali, Sasta, and Subrahmanya. On the evening of the Yatrakali day, these Brahmans assemble round the lamp, and recite the nalupadam and a few hymns in praise of their household divinities, and especially of Siva, the saviour who manifested himself at Trikkariyur. On the night of the performance they are entertained at supper, when they sing certain songs called Karisloka. They then move in slow procession to the kalam or hall, singing specially songs in the vallappattu metre, with the sacred thread hanging vertically round the neck (apiviti), and not diagonally as is the orthodox fashion. In the hall have been placed a burning lamp in the centre, a para (Malabar measure) filled with paddy, a number of bunches of cocoanuts, plantain fruits, and various kinds of flowers. The Brahmans sit in a circle round the lamp, and, after preliminary invocations to Ganapathi, sing songs in praise of Siva. After this various kinds of dumb-show are performed, and this is the time for exhibiting skill in swordsmanship. The exorcising, by the waving of a lighted torch before the face of the host, of any evil spirits that may have attached themselves is then gone through.