File:The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and (14598195617).jpg

Identifier: worldsinhabitant00bett (find matches)
Title: The world's inhabitants; or, Mankind, animals, and plants; being a popular account of the races and nations of mankind, past and present, and the animals and plants inhabiting the great continents and principal islands
Year: 1888 (1880s)
Authors: Bettany, G. T. (George Thomas), 1850-1891
Subjects: Civilization Culture
Publisher: London Ward, Lock
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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girls father nextdeclares : 0 Brahmans, to this j^outh, very learned in the Vedas, theson of N., to him I give my daughter, dressed in gay apparel, andadorned with gems. The Brahmans answer, So let it be. The gulsfather now puts her hand into the bridegrooms, and pours over themwater sacred to Vishnu, making the gift irrevocable. The wooden yokeof a ploughing bullock is then laid lightly upon the brides head, signi-fying her subjection. A veil being now held up between the pair, theeight auspicious verses are recited, calling upon the gods, the saints, thetrees, the hills, and the rivers to witness and bless the union. The veilbeing then let fall, the bridegroom binds the Tali, a golden ornament, THE HINDUS. 317 round the brides neck, never to be removed unless .she becomes a widow.Then follows a sacrifice to Agni, in which the wedded pair take theSapti-padi, or seven steps, together, amid loud chanting of the Vedas.Next, grains of parched rice are eaten. On the fourth night after the
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SERPENT CHARMERS IN INDIA. marriage, a torchlight procession sets out; and the newly- r^^^^-^:^ ^^married pair are carried round the village in a palanquin with processions,music and dancing. The details and cost o± these processions vary much 3i8 THE INHABITANTS OF ASIA. according to the ideas and wealth of the relatives. They may eveninclude camels and elephants. At sunrise the pair are conducted home,being received at the threshold by some married woman ; when seated,a lamp is waved round their heads, to avert the evil eye. Wedding cardsare represented by the distribution of betel leaves with areca nuts andgrains of rice coloured red. This may serve to give an idea of marriagein India, but the details and local customs vary greatly. A whole series of religious forms was formerly gone through byHindu women before the birth of their offspring, to secure the due puri-fication of the child ; and these were largely connected withDesire of . . male the desire for male offspring, which w

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