Some Hindu Rites for the Honoured
Dead
The moment of sunset or dawn for the flight of souls. Sunset or dawn, and the turn of the tide. But darkness, and the silence of night, and the sound of water lapping against the shore, for the builded pile, and the flames of the death-fire!
In that Indian house where the coming of death is waited, the distant children are all-called home; and even wedded daughters watch, side by side with the older women, and with their brothers’ wives, for the final change. To some few, death comes with a merciful swiftness. In work, or at play, alone or amongst friends, he plucks them by the sleeve, or touches them on the shoulder,
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