Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s3.108

v2.c20.s3.108

At the place of cremation the corpse is carried down from the carriage and placed into the coffin, which stands on a two-storeyed chamber and has the figure of a lion in the case of reigning princes, a cow in the case of other distinguished persons, and is usually a simple square wooden chest in the case of ordinary men, although even these sometimes use figures, e.g., Gajamina, a monster half-elephant and half-fish. At last, after the Padanda has muttered the sacred texts and sprinkled the holy water on the body, a fire is kindled beneath the coffin. After the corpse is consumed the bones are collected and carried the next day with great state to the sea and thrown into it together with money and offerings.