Page:The Sundhya, or, the Daily Prayers of the Brahmins.djvu/48



high caste of Brahmins, who officiate as High Priests in the Temples of the Devtas, follow strictly and minutely every article enjoined by their Shastres and Poorans. The marks worn by them are only six, as illustrated in the annexed Plate. The ornaments, likewise, appertain to the Pooja of each particular Deity. The marks worn by the Brahmins being distinct and few, they evidently demonstrate what Divinity he has worshipped on that day; but the other castes, such as Chuttree, Byse, and Kaiyat, have marks so varied and numerous, each according to the whim or fancy of the wearer, that it is very difficult to trace what Divinity he has worshipped on that day, being a complication of signs appertaining to the worship of two or three different Gods, or Saints, at the same time. The Jogees, especially, are covered, all over the body, with various signs, drawn with white sandal, or simply with river-mud; sometimes with vermilion, or with black and yellow earth; all of which contribute not a little to their hideous, as well as grotesque appearance. The marks enjoined by their Shastres are four in number: these are put on immediately after ablution, by the four respective castes: viz. the Brahmin wears it thus, perpendicularly on the forehead, between the brows, marked with white sandal or earth; the Chutriyas thus , horizontally across the forehead, with the same; the Byse thus , erect in front of the forehead; the Soodra, a round white spot, as large as a shilling-piece, between the eyebrows. These are worn during the performance of the Sundhya, and are washed off, to be replaced by those appertaining to the Deity the votary intends worshipping that day.