Folk Lore Notes. Vol. I—Gujarat

by A. M. T. Jackson

Another belief personifies the diseases as malin or evil spirits who are fond of human prey. To ward them off, a dhārā-vādi, or stream of milk, is poured out in the village or a magic thread is passed round. The chariot[2] of the Mātā is driven through the village with the same object.[3]

There is a popular tradition that in ancient times cholera was subjugated by king Vikrama, and was buried underground. Once upon a time the British excavated the place in the belief that treasure was concealed there, and thus cholera was released. After many soldiers had fallen victims, the disease deity was at last propitiated by an oblation, and was handed over to the Bhangis (or scavengers).[4]

This association of the Bhangis with cholera is present in most of the beliefs current about the disease. There is a story that once upon a time a number of students had put up in a house by which a Bhangi was in the habit of passing frequently. He daily used to hear the students reciting the sacred texts and this produced in his mind the desire to become a Sanskrit scholar. For this purpose, having concealed his low birth, he went to Benares and by diligent study, soon became a pandit. He even married a girl of high caste. But his imposture being at last discovered, he burnt himself to death, and his ashes gave rise to the disease known as cholera.[5]

At the present day, if the epidemic breaks out, the Bhangis are often suspected in some way or other of having brought it about. It is said that they make statues of the flour of adad (phaseolus radiatus) and after piercing them with needles and pins, either throw them into the wells which are daily used by the villagers[6] or bury them in a spot over which the people frequently pass. The whole affair is managed very secretly and at the dead of night. The slightest rumour of such proceedings causes a tumult in the village, and the Bhangis are then in danger of being severely handled by the enraged villagers.[7]

Another method by which the Bhangis are supposed to bring about cholera is to sprinkle the blood of a black cow on the image of Hanumān. The god is deeply offended at the insult, and in consequence spreads cholera in the neighbourhood. For this reason, offerings are burnt before Hanumān in order to stop an epidemic of cholera.[8]

Bhangis are also supposed by some to accomplish the same result by the help of malin or evil deities who are first gratified by the offering of victims.[9] One of such deities is Rāmdepir, to whom bali-dān (offering of a victim) is made by the people, through the medium of Bhangis, for the prevention of cholera.[9]

An outbreak of cholera offers a good opportunity to the Bhangis, who extort dainties and small sums of money from the people. Persons attacked by cholera often seek the services of a Bhangi and promise him liberal gifts if they are cured. The latter generally treats his patients by tying a magical thread round their elbows.[10]

It is said that the Bhangis have to present an offering to their malin or evil goddess every third year, and that, in so doing, they kill a black animal before the goddess. They then place an iron pan full of sesamum oil on the fire, and suspend the body of the animal above it. It is believed that as many human beings will fall victims to cholera as the number of the drops of blood that fall from the body of the animal into the iron pan.[11]

Another deity whose wrath is supposed to be responsible for the breaking out of cholera is Mahāmāri Devi.[12] The worshippers of this goddess are Bhangis. She is believed to send forth cholera when her oblations are stopped,[13] and her favour is regained by renewing the offer of these oblations. Sometimes the Navachandi sacrifice is performed at the principal village-gates, and the chandipāth is recited at the other gates. A number of Brāhmans and virgins are also feasted, and presented with garments. A magic cotton thread is passed round the village and a dhārā-vādi, or stream of milk, is poured out. The bhuvās go round the village playing upon the harsh unpleasant danklan. A goat is then taken to the temple of the Mātā, and the bhuvās, after cutting out its tongue, dip their hands in its blood and strike them against the doors of the temple. The goat is then killed and similar blood-marks are made upon every door in the village as well as on the village-gates, where an iron nail is driven into the ground with an incantation. A lime is then cut, and an oblation is offered to the Mātā. Such a process is believed to stop the progress of the epidemic.[13]

Other deities connected in popular belief with cholera are the goddesses Visuchikā[14] and Chandikā.[15] Visuchikā is conciliated by burnt offerings: the recitation of the chandipāth wins the favour of Chandikā. There is also a giantess named Karkatā who is supposed to be responsible for cholera. She is said to have sprung from the sweat on the forehead of Brahmā and to reside in the chandra mandal (or lunar sphere).[16]