Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c11.18

c11.18

A series of further performances is aimed at the protection of the child and the woman from demons⁴. Thus the physician should spread over the room with twigs, the child should also be fanned with the same, mustard and other corns should be spread in the room and the room should also be filled with their smoke, a fire-offering should be made two times a day, a pestle should be placed before the door prior to the naming ceremony (see below), a bundle of certain twigs and of plants which are called rakṣoghna ('demon-killing') should be tied on the upper threshold of the door and also on the body of the child, the (abovementioned) fire should be maintained, a Brāhmaṇ should perform atonements and say prayers for ten days, the women as well as friends and relatives should keep a watch for ten or twelve days and the room should be enlivened with songs and music and provided with food, drink etc. and cheerful persons (Car 4.8.49; AS 1. c.; Su 3.10.29). These customs are to be observed especially on the sixth night (AHr 6.1.21; AS 172). This corresponds to the still existing cult of Ṣaṣṭhī, "the Goddess of the sixth" which is attributable to the Tetanus frequently occuring on this day or a little later¹ in consequence of the defective separation of the umbilical cord.