Page:Castes and Tribes of Southern India.djvu/427

Rh not drunk." After the bath, he wipes his body with a damp cloth, and puts on his cotton madi cloth, which has been washed and dried. The cloth, washed, wrung, and hung up to dry, should not be touched by anybody. If this should happen prior to the bath, the cloth is polluted, and ceases to be madi. A silk cloth, which cannot be polluted, is substituted for it. The madi or silk cloth should be worn until the close of the morning ceremonies and meal. The man next puts the marks which are characteristic of his sect on the forehead and body, and performs the Sandhya service. This is very important, and is binding on all Brāhmans after the Upanayanam ceremony, though a large number are not particular in observing it. According to the shāstras, the Sandhya should be done in the morning and evening;but in practice there is an additional service at midday. Sandhyāvandhanam means the thanks giving to God when day and night meet in the morning and evening. The rite commences with the sipping of water (āchamanam) from the hollow of the right palm. This is done three times, while the words Achyuthāyanamaha, Anantāyanamaha, and Govindāyana are repeated. Immediately after sipping, twelve parts of the body are touched with the fingers of the right hand in the following order: — The two cheeks with the thumb, repeating the names Kēsava and Narāyana; The two eyes with the ring-finger, repeating Mādhava and Govinda; The two sides of the nose with the forefinger,repeating Vishnu and Madhusūdhana;

The two ears with the little finger, repeating Trivkrama and Vāmana;

The shoulders with the middle finger, repeating Sridhara and Rishikēsa;