Storia do Mogor 62.2

62.2

The reader must understand that it is not only the baniyas who thus reverence the cow, but also the whole of the Hindus, of whatever station in life. But the baniyas are the most superstitious on this subject. So much is this the case that when anyone commits a great sin — that is to say, either against the idols, or by forsaking his religion — if he consents to cleanse himself of such sin, he goes to the Brahmans, who are their priests. They give him cow-dung dissolved in its urine, adding a little butter, some sweet and some sour milk. On drinking this he is absolved, and some penance is added. I have seen one of these men with a padlock hanging from his lips, and he went about with it for some days as a penance.