Page:The Sundhya, or, the Daily Prayers of the Brahmins.djvu/7



terminated his prayers to the Gooroo, he quits his place of repose; and filling a brass vessel, called Julpatree, he commences by washing his face and rubbing his teeth, praying at the same time, that all impurity may thus be cleansed away from him, and he be made as pure within as without. Then, proceeding to the river-side, he enters the Ganges, knee-deep, sprinkles a little water, by a quick jerk of the right-hand, over his head; and holding some in the half-closed palm of the same hand, he addresses the great Deity Bhagwan in the following words:—

"Vishnu! Vishnu! Vishnu! Adoration to the supreme Deity! the first eternal male! the resplendent sun! May the benefits that result from this adoration be bestowed (on such a person—naming himself) performing worship in Jambu Dwípa (India) in the second portion of the life of Brahma, in the Kalpa of Varáha, in the Manwantara (or reign of the Manu) Vaivaswata, at this holy spot on (such) a year (such) a fortnight, when the sun was in an auspicious sign! for I am desirous of fulfilling the duties which are enjoined by the Purans, the Smriti (law), and the Srutí (or Vedas)."

This said, he plunges several times in the Ganges; and while he rubs each member of his body in the sacred stream, he chants the following verses in praise of Gunga:—