[51] Doorga is also worshipped in the month of April, in the time of the vernal equinox, but very few then offer her their devotion, though this celebration claims priority of origin. [52] For some general remarks on the religion of the Hindoos, see Note c. [53] "In this ancient story" says Tod, "we are made acquainted with the distant maritime wars which the princes of India carried on. Even supposing Ravana's abode to be the insular Ceylon, he must have been a very powerful prince to equip an armament sufficiently numerous to carry off from the remote kingdom of _Kousula_ the wife of the great king of the Suryas. It is most improbable that a petty king of Ceylon could wage equal war with a potentate who held the chief dominion of India; whose father, _Dosaratha_ drove his victorious car (_ratha_) over every region (_desa_) and whose intercourse with the countries beyond the Bramaputra is distinctly to be traced in the _Ramayana_." [54] This is also the day which is vulgarly called the _Kala kata amabashay_ when unripe plantain fruits are cut in immense quantities for offerings to Doorga. [55] This sacred jar is marked with two combined triangles, denoting the union of the two deities, Siva and Doorga,--the worshippers of the _Sakti_, female energy, mark the jar with another triangle. [56] The day before the _Kalpa_ begins, these priests receive new clothes, comprising a _dhootie_ and _dubja_, and some money for _habishay_, or food destitute of fish. Very few, however, abide by the rules enjoined in the holy writings. [57] Even in the observance of this religious preliminary, the Brahmins take advantage of their superior caste, and curtail five days out of six in order to save expense. Every thing is allowable in their case, because they assume to be the oracles between the god and man. [58] The vermilion is used by a Hindoo female whose husband is _alive_, the privilege of putting it on the forehead is considered a sign of great merit and virtue. [59] There is a singular coincidence between the Hindoos and the ancient heathen nations in regard to music. In both it is used as an indispensable accompaniment to religious worship. [60] It is no less strange than surprising that ornamental articles prepared by the hands of European artisans who are accustomed to eat beef and pork, the very mention, and much more, the touch of which contaminates the purity of religion, are put on the bodies and heads of Hindoo gods without the least religious scruple, simply for the gratification of vanity. So much for the consistent and immaculate character of the Hindoo creed! [61] These scented oils are mostly prepared by Mussulmans, whose very touch is enough to desecrate a thing; the Brahmins knowing this fact unhesitatingly use them for religious purposes. Thus we see in almost every sphere of social and domestic life the fundamental rules of religious purity are shamefully violated.