Page:An Indian Study of Love and Death.pdf/74

70 Again, hours after, as the ﬁre dies down, are said the ﬁnal salutations:—

This is several times repeated, before water is brought from the river in an earthen pot to quench the dying embers. The ashes are collected and scattered on the stream. And, last of all, on the spot where the ﬁre has been extinguished, the pot is taken, now emptied of its water. A single blow is given; and it lies, there in the burning-ghât, broken into a thousand fragments.

Human hearts and the energy of sorrow must have their way. To them a time of stern abstinence, of going barefooted, and sleeping on straw, may be