Ragas and Raginis: A Pictorial and Iconographic Study of Indian Musical Modes Based on Original Sources c6.107

c6.107

A very interesting reference to the uses of melodies in connection with rituals is furnished by the rules as to the consecration of the *Nava-patrikā* ('a new plantain shoot', symbolizing the great goddess) laid down in the *Kālikā-purāṇa* in connection with the initiatory ceremonies of the Durgā-cult, the great autumnal festival (*śāradīyā-pūjā*) still current in Bengal. The rules and the formulas for the consecration are not set out in the printed edition of the *Purāṇa*, and have been borrowed, here, from a manuscript in the possession of a professional priest. The ritual consists of bathing and consecrating the 'new shoot' by waters from eight different sources collected in eight different jars. As each jar of water is poured over the shoot, it has to be accompanied by singing a particular rāga, with specified manner of drum accompaniment, together with the recitation of *mantram* invoking the auspicious influences of eight different gods and celestial beings: