Storia do Mogor 281.21.2

281.21.2

Seven days before the marriage the first ceremony took place — one which is also performed by the Hindus in the same manner [64]. First of all a branch of an arack (pipal-tree) was planted in the middle of the courtyard where the wedding was to be celebrated. Before the branch was placed into the earth, the hole was filled with a gallon of cow's milk and a gallon of water. Having been planted, it was next smeared with sandal, red-lead, and saffron, and flowers were hung all round. This ridiculous ceremony is practised by the Hindus from veneration for this tree's connection with Vishnu, one of their false gods, and the goddess Savitri, his wife. For they hold that Vishnu dwells in this tree, and that his spouse, changing into wind, came to it as gently as possible in order not to be separated from her beloved. This detestable error plunges them into scandalous and abominable practices, as well as into gross and animal imaginations. For instance, they say that each leaf of that tree represents that portion of woman which modesty forbids us to mention. The red-lead put on it is in the minds of these idolaters something still more unpleasant. The saffron and flowers are offered in sacrifice to the tree so much venerated by them. They hold it a great honour for it to grow in the walls of their houses, and consider it a great crime to pluck it out.