The Dabistan or School of Manners (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1901 edition. Excerpt: ...odor. He is after this to perform his ablution in a clean place, and seat himself in such a manner that his hands The abstract given in the Dabist&n is inaccurate, agreeing neither with Manu nor Ward; in Manu, it is as follows (I. II. si. 58): Let a Brahman at all times perform the ablution with the pure part of his hand, denominated from the Veda or with the part sacred to the Lord of creatures, or with that dedicated to the gods; but never with the part named from the Pitris. (si. 59) The pure part under the root of the thumb is called Brahma; that at the root of the little finger, should be under his knees, with his face to the north or east; next, while repeating the prescribed forms of prayer, he is to put a little water three times successively into the palm of the right hand, which he is to swallow without reciting any prayers; he is then to cleanse the mouth with the back of the left hand, and having taken into the palm of his hand other water, and dipped the other fingers into it, he is to apply them to his nose, eyes, and ears; the water must be pure, without foam or bubble. On this occasion the Brahman is to swallow so much water that the moisture may extend to his breast; the Chattri such a quantity as to extend to his throat; the Vaisya sufficient to moisten the inside of his mouth; the cultivator, women, and children who have not assumed the Munji, are to apply a little water to the lips, then immerse the head, and having repeated the proper forms of prayer, to sprinkle Cdya; that at the tips of the fingers, Daiva; and the part between the thumb and index, Pitrya. (si. 60) Let him sip water thrice; then twice wipe his mouth; and, lastly, touch with water the six cavities (or his eyes, ears, and nostrils), his breast, and...