CHAP. IV - OF THE WORSHIP IN THE TEMPLES

Summary

The daily ceremonies in the temples erected in honour of Shivŭ are as follows:—In the morning the officiating bramhŭn, after bathing, enters the temple and bows to Shivŭ. He then anoints the image with clarified butter or boiled oil; after which he bathes the image with water which has not been defiled by the touch of a shōōdrŭ, nor of a bramhŭn who has not performed his ablutions, by pouring water on it, and afterwards wipes it with a napkin. He next grinds some white powder in water, and, dipping the ends of his three fore-fingers in it, draws them across the lingŭ, marking it as the worshippers of Shivŭ mark their foreheads. He next sits down before the image, and, shutting his eyes, meditates on the work he is commencing; then places rice and dōōrva grass on the lingŭ; next a flower on his own head, and then on the top of the lingŭ; then another flower on the lingŭ; then others, one by one, repeating incantations: he then places white powder, flowers, vilwŭ leaves, incense, meat offerings, and a lamp before the image; also some rice and a plantain: he next repeats the name of Shivŭ, with some forms of praise; and at last prostrates himself before the image.