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THE ANAL-EROTIC FACTOR IN HINDU RELIGION 323
Next comes the regular Gayatri-japa, or repeated muttering of the Gayatri prayer to the sun. Before beginning' this repetition, those who follow the Tantrik system go through the process ol ^^i making various mystical figures called Madras, twenty-four in
number, by twisting, interlacing or intertwining the fingers and hands together. Each of these figures, according to its name bears some fanciful resemblance to animals or objects of various j; kinds, as for example, to a fish, tortoise, boar, lion (these
•/;! being forms in which the god Vishnu became incarnate), or to
!: : a cart, noose, knot, garland, the efficacy attributed to these pe-
I'; culiar intertwinings and twistings of the hands and fingers being
.;; enormous. The correct number of repetitions is 108, and to insure
accuracy of enumeration a rosary of 108 beads made of Tulasi wood is generally used, the hand being carefully concealed in a red bag or under a cloth. The last act, like the first, is an internal purification of the body by acamana, or sipping of water. On the completion of the Sandhya service, the next ceremony is the worship of the Supreme Being, the act being known as Brahma- yajna. The Brahma-yajna is followed by the Tarpana ceremony, which is properly a triple act, consisting in offerings of water for refreshment (tarpana) to the gods, inspired sages, and fathers. In the first part, called Deva-tarcana, 'refreshing of the gods', the sacred thread is worn over the left shoulder and under the right arm, the worshipper being then called Upaviti. Water is taken up in the right hand and poured out over the straightened fingers. In the second part of the Tarpana service, called Rishi-tarpana, 'refreshing of the inspired sages', the sacred thread is worn • round the neck like a necklace the worshipper being then called Niviti. The wate^ is then' offered so as to flow over the side of the palm between the root of the thumb and fore-finger, the fingers being bent ) inwards. The worshipper now changes the position of his sacred
I thread, and placing it over his right shoulder and under his
I left arm (being then called Pracinaviti) makes offerings of water
'% to the Acaryas, or inspired religious teachers. The third division
of the Tarpana ceremony is called Pitritarpana, 'refreshing ol deceased fathers or departed ancestors'. The thread is worn over the right shoulder as in Acarya- tarpana, but the water is y poured out over the side of the palm opposite to the root of
the thumb.
ti^^
