A History of the Mahrattas v1.c7.88

v1.c7.88

To become a Gosaeen, such casts as wear the Kurgoota, or string round the loins, destroy it, and substitute a piece of cloth, if any covering be deemed necessary ; and the person generally attaches himself to some one of the fraternity, as desirous of becoming a chela, or disciple. The novice may proceed thus far, and still retract : the irretrievable step by which he becomes a Gosaeen for ever, is in the ceremony called Home [Hom], which, in this case, must be gone through in the most solemn manner. It is performed by taking an earthen vessel, one cubit square, termed stundeel ; this is to be filled with pure unmixed mould, over which powders of various colours are to be strewed ; upon this a fire is kindled, and over the whole Ghee, or milk, is poured for a certain number of times, during which, munturs, or mystical verses, are repeated, and vows solemnly made, of poverty, celibacy, and perpetual pilgrimage to the different holy places throughout India. Ghee is butter clarified by boiling. Milk is always used by a Bramin in performing the Home, on this, as well as on other more common occasions of daily occurrence. The disciples of a Gosaeen are obtained in three ways : voluntary followers, slaves purchased, and children obtained from parents who had vowed to make them Gosaeens previous to their birth.