Storia do Mogor 257.8

257.8

If she becomes enceinte, similar ceremonies to those gone through at the two festivities are performed at the end of the eighth month. This is called the third wedding feast, or the Feast of First Child-bearing. And then are finished, as they reckon, the Brahman wedding ceremonies. If the Brahman in question dies after binding the piece of gold on the woman's neck, which is the sign denoting the essential part of the marriage, the woman can never marry again, even should she be only four or five years of age. This is the usual age for fathers to marry off their daughters. There are, however, some who postpone it to the tenth year, but never beyond that age. After a husband's death, a widow adopts one of four courses. Those most sprightly and vigorous burn alive with the corpse of the defunct husband. This is carried out as follows : Wood is heaped up to a height of eight or nine feet, and about the same length and breadth. Upon the top the corpse of the dead Brahman is laid, dressed as when alive, the head to the south and the feet to the north. After he has been laid thus on the bonfire, there comes the wise man of the village and pronounces certain magic words at the five organs of sense, and anoints them with butter. The anointing done, the parents and the nearest relations throw four or five grains of uncooked rice into his mouth.