Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c18.s3.t2.23

v2.c18.s3.t2.23

John Huighen Van Linschoten in A. D. 1583 wrote thus : "When the Bramenes die, all their friends assemble together, and make a hole in the ground, wherein they throwe much wood and other things : and if the man bee of any great account, they cast in sweet Sanders, and other Spices, with Rice, Corne, and such like, and much Oyle, because the fire should burn stronger. Which done, they lay the dead Bramenes in it : then commeth his wife with musike and many of her neerest friends all singing certaine praises in commendation of her husbands life, putting her in comfort, and encouraging her to follow her husband, and goe with him into the other world. Then shee taketh all her Jewels, and parteth them among her friends, and so with a cheerfull countenance, she leapeth into the fire, and is presently covered with Wood and Oyle : so shee is quickly dead, and with her Husbands body burned to ashes..."²