Page:Malabari, Behramji M. - Gujarat and the Gujaratis (1882).djvu/131

Rh Murti, Rs. 50 to 500. For the pleasure of being kicked by Máháráj or his attendants, Rs. 11; for the privilege of being lashed, Rs.13; for the performance of Rási Kridá, Rs. 100 to 200; for Rása Kridá performed by proxy, Rs. 50 to 100. For the delight of eating the cud of pán supári thrown out by the Máháráj, Rs. 17; for drinking the water in which the Máháráj has bathed, or in which his foul linen has been washed, squeezed, and wrung, Rs. 19. He also levies many other minor taxes on the events and necessaries of life, such as birth, marriage, death, cloth, silk, sugar, &c. The late Mr. Anstey said he would not touch a Máháráj "with a pair of red-hot tongs." Quite right; it would be desecration of the tongs. The Máháráj is a very pious man a week before he dies, and when he dies he goes to where the rest of us do not—that is, to Kailás. He generally dies without issue, and without a groan.

Having described the average head-priest of the Vaishnavas as he actually is, I may also