Travels in India (Tavernier) 121.3

121.3

The tree, of which a picture will be seen at the end of this chapter, is of the same kind as that near Gombroon, and I have given a description of it also in the accounts of Persia. The Franks call it the tree of the Banians, because, in places where there are any of these trees, the idolaters sit under them and cook their food there. They reverence them specially, and generally build their pagodas either under or close to one of these great trees. The one which the reader will see depicted further on is at Surat, and in its trunk, which is hollow, a monster is represented like the head of a deformed woman, which is said to be the representation of the first woman, whom they call Mamaniva. Every day a large number of idolaters assemble there to adore this monster, near to which there is constantly some Brahmin detailed for its service, and to receive the offerings made to it of rice, millet, and other grains. On all those who have prayed in the pagoda, both men and women, the Brahmin makes a mark on the middle of the forehead with a kind of vermilion, with which the idol is also painted. With this mark on them they do not fear that the devil will injure them, because they are, as they say, under the protection of their God. I give here the explanation of the figures represented under the tree of the Banians, marked by the numbers 1, 2, 3, etc.