A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c15.32.3

c15.32.3

Moreover all of them, great and small, king and barons included, do sit upon the ground only. . . . It is their practice that everyone, male and female, do wash the body twice every day; and those who do not wash are looked on much as we look on the Patarins. You must know that in eating, they use the right hand only. . . . So also they drink only from drinking vessels, and every man hath his own; nor will anyone drink from another’s vessel. And when they drink they do not put the vessel to the lips but hold it aloft and let the drink spout into the mouth. . . . They are very strict in executing justice upon criminals and as strict in abstaining from wine. Indeed they have made a rule that wine-drinkers and seafaring men are never to be accepted as sureties.' He mentions the custom by which a creditor drew a circle round his defaulting debtor and 'the latter must not pass out of this circle until he shall have satisfied the claim, or given security for its discharge'. He mentions the presence of experts in the arts of physiognomy, astrology and sorcery, and the readiness of people to consult them. He refers to temples as 'certain abbeys in which are gods and goddesses to whom many young girls are consecrated' (*devadāsis*). He notices the widespread use of betel leaves with camphor and other aromatic spices mixed with quicklime.