Folk Lore Notes. Vol. II—KonkanJackson, A. M. T. (Arthur Mason Tippetts)
Religion
Folk Lore Notes. Vol. II—Konkan
Jackson, A. M. T. (Arthur Mason Tippetts)
Folklore -- India
All the members of the family of the dead have to observe mourning for
ten days. They are purified on the eleventh day after taking a bath
and sipping Panchgavya, or the five products of the cow. The son of
the dead person, or one who performs the funeral rites of the dead is
purified on the twelfth day after completing the rites of Sapindi. A
man in mourning does not touch those who are not in mourning. If
anybody touches him, both of them have to take a bath. The son of the
deceased or, in the absence of a son, any male member belonging to
the family is entitled to perform the funeral rites of the dead. These
rites are performed during the first twelve days, beginning from the
first day or from the 3rd, 5th, 7th or the 9th. One who performs these
rites has to sleep on the ground during these twelve days. A person
hearing of the death of a member of his family within the first ten
days from the date of the death, becomes free from that mourning on the
eleventh day. If he happens to hear it within one month of the death,
he has to observe it for three days and after one month he has to
observe it for one day only. [695] The son, or one who performs the
funeral rites of the deceased has to sleep on the ground, and has
to take his meals only once a day till the end of the 13th day. He
takes his bath in cold water. Sweet things are not prepared in the
house during the days of mourning. During the period of mourning,
every morning, a Bráhman comes to the mourner's house and recites
some passages from the Garud Purána, which relates to the state of
the soul after death. On the eleventh day the house is besmeared with
cowdung, and cow's urine is sprinkled in the house. All the clothes are
washed. Mourning is not observed in the case of a death of a Sanyási,
and the Lingáyats do not observe any kind of mourning. [696]
The brother of the deceased, his son, grandson and all the members
belonging to the family, have to observe the mourning for ten days. The
married daughter of the deceased has to observe it for three days. From
the fifth or sixth generation in the same family, it is observed for
three or one day only. [697] In case of the death of a wife's parents,
the husband has to observe mourning for three days. During the mourning
days people do not worship the gods or go to the temples. Milk is
also prohibited during the mourning period. The mourners are not to
touch anybody except the members of their family. [698]
On the thirteenth day the sons and other members of the family are
taken out to visit the temple of any deity by the people assembled
for the purpose. It is believed that after going to the temple on
the 13th day, the sons and the other members of the family are at
liberty to go out of the house. [699]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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