Page:A Geographical, Statistical, and Historical Description of the District, or Zila, of Dinajpur.djvu/102

90 The number of high Hindús being small in this district, and Muhammedans and low Hindús being exempt from the folly, the number of Jyotish is comparatively inconsiderable; and only one Pandit instructs any pupils in the science. He also constructed almanacks,but those commonly in use among the astrologers are chiefly brought from Mauleyo, near Múrshedabad, and Keoya, near Dhaka. The astrologers of the district, who live entirely by the art, reside chiefly at Churamon; but the man of science lives near Dinajpúr, and is supported by the liberality of the Raja’s Purohit. He is now blind with age; but he never possessed any astronomical instrument, and never attempted to take an observation. His pupils have studied under him the Siddhanto, Rohosyo, and the Vosoli; but are not acquainted with the history of these works.

No person teaches medicine in this district, and indeed proper physicians are very few in number. In all cases of sickness, trust is chiefly placed in prayers and sacrifices, and in certain magical incantations, that are considered as effectual, and called Jharon Montros. People of rank are unwilling to acknowledge that they are instructed in these incantations, but so far as I can learn, this arises from a fear, that they would be too often called upon by the poor for assistance, and they would consider it as disgraceful to refuse relief when asked. But all ranks of Hindús, and even the low Muhammedans, believe in the efficacy of these incantations; although it is generally only the lowest persons that profess to be acquainted with them. Persons of this rank can receive, even from the lowest, a reward which is an object worth their acceptance. Such is the account, that I received in some divisions. In others, the higher ranks denied a belief in the efficacy of these incantations, except in the bites of serpents, in casting out devils, and in small-pox; and alleged, that in fevers they procure a Brahmin to read certain extracts from the Sribhagvat, which are called Ban Juddhostov.

People who are deprived of reason, or who have the epilepsy, or strong hysteric fits, are supposed to be possessed by devils (Upodevta), which are the spirits of those who have been killed by violence, or who have committed suicide at certain unfortunate conjunctions of the stars, which are detailed in the books of the philosophers called Jyotish. Until certain ceremonies have been performed, these unfortunate spirits cannot obtain any proper body, into which they can migrate, and therefore molest other persons, chiefly women, in order that the proper ceremonies may be performed. The spirits are of various kinds, according to the bodies which they formerly occupied. Those of a Brahmin are called Brahmadaityo, and are exceedingly troublesome; those of Sudros are Bhuts; those of women are called Songkhini, or Sangkchurni; those of unmarried girls, or of very low women, are called Aloya, and Pretiní, or Petiní; and those of Muhammedans, are Mamudas; and all those who have been killed in war (except Khyetriyos, who go immediately to heaven), on those unfortunate conjunctions, become Nishkondho or Nikondos. Both Brahmins and Sudros, it is imagined, can acquire the knowledge, by which they can tell whether the afflicted person labours under a disease or a devil, and the ceremonies by which these devils are supposed to be cast out, and these are detailed in the Tontros; but many decline the office, as it is supposed that among those who practise this science few ever have children. It is not lawful for them to take money; but they are much courted, when any accident happens that requires their assistance. The unfortunate spirits procure rest by any of their relations going to the Bhagirothi or Goya, and performing some easy ceremonies: but the latter place is the securest; for if there is a hair on the bank of the river where the ceremony is performed, it will be of no effect. These ideas are very generally received in the Dinajpúr district, and several persons are supposed