Page:The Sundhya, or, the Daily Prayers of the Brahmins.djvu/20



prayer is called the Gáyatri-Jup: it is secret, and cannot be divulged to any but a Brahmin; it must be whispered only in his ear. The figures performed with the right hand, while the left one hangs listlessly over his right foot, must be cautiously concealed from all prying eyes by a red cloth bag, drawn over the hand, and hanging down on all sides. This bag is called Gumookhi, and is generally made of red broad-cloth. The Hindoos, however, commonly content themselves with throwing a part of their wrapping-cloth over the hand, which serves the same purpose as the bag.