Yawning; for though this is not properly speaking regarded as an omen, nor is it included in the book of Shakunams, it may be interesting to mention some of the very peculiar ideas on the subject current amongst the people. It is thought that when one yawns, there is danger of the life leaving the body, whether merely from the effects of the spasmodic action, or from any other cause is not clear; hence it is usual on yawning, to snap the fingers and say Krishna! Krishna! or Siva! Siva! as the case may be, deprecatory of any evil that might otherwise result. So strong in the belief that there is danger of the life leaving the body through a hearty yawn, that' to yawn' is sometimes used as a euphemism for' to die'. The Telugu people sometimes use the expression : – లోజీవములావలించే. That is the lives in the body yawned; or, the spirit has departed. Should a baby yawn, the mother, or some one near who may have observed it, will snap the fingers saying Krishna! Krishna! or, Siva! Siva! It is probable that the superstitious ideas with reference to yawning, and sneezing, too, had their origin in the fact of any spasmodic action itself being physically somewhat dangerous. This presumption is strengthened from the fact of there being a shlōkam on the subject that also includes falling down-a thing that is certainly not devoid of danger to the physical system, especially so to the elderly. It was probably an elderly man who first composed the verse, which is as follows: क्षुतपात भेषु । Malfagiyfofa: 1 प्राणधारणसिद्दये || On sneezing, falling, or yawning, Snap the fingers and say live! arise! It is fit even for a younger to do this to an elder The third line in the verse is an allusion to the well-known impropriety of a younger presuming to bless an elder. In the three possible events mentioned, the danger is considered such as to warrant this departure from what is ordinarily considered to be fit and right. It appears that the usual practice on falling down is simply to say chiramjeeva (live a long life), or words to that effect, without snapping the fingers-this in spite of the wording of the above quotation. It must not be thought that the list has been exhausted, in this chapter, of things considered by the Hindus; as omens but enough has been given to show how tied and bound with the chains of superstitions are a people amongst whom omens and auguries are so numerous. Doubtless there are many who pay little heed to the things here mentioned; but, take the people as a whole, these ideas are universally prevalent throughout the country, and they exercise great sway over the daily life of the masses. Much might be said, not only of the folly of such superstitions, but also of the material harm they are calculated to do, seeing that a fatalistic belief in impending evil may often bring about its own fulfilment by paralyzing the endeavour that might prevent it. To enlarge upon this view of the matter were, however, beside the object of these pages. The intention throughout has been rather to describe things as they actually exist, leaving all that might be said by way of comment to the natural impressions of the thoughtful reader. CHAPTER XX. HINDU ORNAMENTS. आभरणम्. (Ābharanam). A wife being gaily adorned, her whole house is embellished; but, if she be destitute of ornament, all will be deprived of decoration. (Manu, III. 63.) The passion for personal adornment is not a thing of modern growth, confined solely to this Kaliyuga; but, as is abundantly manifest it is a something that seems inherent in the human race in the most ancient records of mankind. The naked savage of the forest primeval is seen to deck himself out proudly in gaudy feathers, and barbarous shapes of shining metal; and the little infant of civilization early learns, as if by intuition, to fashion with its tiny fingers something to add to its personal attractions. And who shall say that this inclination is not for good, that is when confined within proper limits! It is delightful to see the little ones decking themselves out with wreaths, and garlands of the flowers of the field, as it is pleasing to see, in those of older growth, a manifestation of that innate desire to appear well before one's fellows which cannot have been implanted in the human heart in vain. Any thing that tends to make life bright and beautiful, or that adds to human happiness, is not to be condemned, or frowned down because evil is caused through carrying to excess that which, within proper bounds, is a source of pleasure and delight. It is when the low and degrading passion for mere ostentatious display creeps in, that evil begins; as also when the unworthy desire of mere possession becomes predominant in the mind eating away as a canker all worthier feeling. In such a case the innocent happiness of enjoying the beautiful becomes clouded over by what must ever hide the sunshine of real joy and true gladness. Probably in no country in the world is the love of personal ornament so manifest as it is in India. The sight of the great princes in full gala dress is a dream of brightness and wealth; and even the lowest coolie manages, somehow, to possess a something, if it be only a silver, or even copper ring for his finger, or toe, to enhance his personal appearance. It must, however, be confessed that the Hindu carries this. liking for jewels to an excess. It is a passion that, fostered as it is, acts largely as a hindrance to true advance in the welfare of the country. Money that properly circulated would add infinitely to the comfort of the individual, and the welfare of the community, is locked up, as it were, in jewels that lie as a dead weight, utterly unproductive of good, and largely a cause of anxiety. It is said that if any thing like a reasonable portion of the precious metal that is thus locked up were only put into circulation, the difficult problem as to the Indian currency would solve itself. Any little extra gain, or any little savings are almost unvariably invested in jewels. The owner is happy that on gala days he can adorn himself, or his family with so much jewellery; and he like to be spoken of as a man possessing so many rupees worth of the same. More often than not, a man's wealth is spoken of as his being possessed of so much in jewels; and this is said with bated breath when the sum is a large one. Even a domestic servant, or day labourer will have his little savings melted down and made into some ornament or other, for himself, or one of his family. Such people, when remonstrated with, will say it is a good investment, seeing that when a rainy day may come the money-lender will always make a good advance on jewels. A Telugu proverb has it-Jewels worn for ornament will be useful in times of difficulty.' Such people cannot be brought to understand the simplest elements of political economy the great improvement to health, and domestic happiness, if the money thus buried, as it were, were expended in bettering the often miserable condition of the house, or surroundings, or in providing better food for the family; the positive gain that might be derived from properly laying out the money, instead of carrying it to the melting pot of the goldsmith-these are arguments that do not weigh much against the passion for jewels that seems to possess Hindus of every class and station from the highest to the very lowest. Probably this liking for jewels is chiefly fostered by the females. -as will be seen further on. Hindu men do adorn themselves, in this way, more than those of western countries; but it is the women who wear the most ornaments; and it is not only her personal appearance, but her dignity, and status, amongst her friends and neighbours, that depend very much upon the amount and value of the same. When women meet at the village well or tank for a chat, amongst other things that usually form the subject of conversation, jewels are said to take a prominent place; in the same way, perhaps, as dress generally is supposed at times to occupy a large share of the conversation amongst the softer sex in western lands. In the same way as a European lady is apt to feel herself lowered in her own estimation, and that of her friends, when her wardrobe is not as replete as circumstance might demand, so no Indian lady can hold up her head amongst her friends and acquaintances, if there should be a lack in the number and value of such jewels as are thought becoming her rank and means. As may readily be supposed, jewels are often a subject of quarrels and bickering in Indian households. If one member has more than another, the wife than the sister, or the sister-in-law, or the reverse, as the case may be, the peace of the good man of the house is often disturbed, and the household divided. This state of things has, in fact, become proverbial. There is a Sanscrit saying current which ironically expresses this as follows:-'Namaskāram (obeisance) to gold which creates enmity between mother and son'; and a Telugu proverb says:-Even though the brother-in-law has to go to prison, the elder sister must have her anklets. These things however can best be left to the imagination of the reader, who perhaps need not be reminded that human nature |