Another belief is that the God Vishnu, at the time of his Vāman (or Dwarf) incarnation, touched the ina (i.e., the Egg) in his third footstep and thus caused a flow of waters, which is known as ākāsh-ganga.[329] Some suppose the milky way to be a ladder leading to the heavens.[330] Astrologers call it Vatsa, a fictitious creature with numerous horns, mouths, and tails.[331] According to another belief, the milky way consists of two rekhās—lines—one of sin and the other of good and meritorious actions. The length of one line compared to the other betokens the predominance of good or evil as the case may be.[332] The milky way is also supposed to be the track left by the rath or car of Rāmachandra.[333]
Ākāsh-ganga or the milky way is said to consist of one crore and eighty lacs of stars.[334] If a man cannot perceive the milky way in the sky, his end is believed to be near at hand.[335]
The Musalmāns declare the milky way to be the track formed by the footstep of the horse of the Prophet Muhammad, on the occasion of his night-journey to Heaven.[330]
The occasion for earth-worship most frequently arises when anything is to be built upon its surface. At the time of setting the manek-stambha, or the first pillar of a marriage-bower or a bower for a thread-ceremony,[336] before commencing the construction of wells, reservoirs, and tanks[336] and in laying the foundation-stone of a house, a temple, or a sacrificial pit,[337] or of a street, a fortress, a city, or a village,[338] or of any constructive work raised upon or made under the ground, certain ceremonies, called khat-muhūrt or khat-puja, are performed. The earth-mother is then worshipped in the manner prescribed in the Shastras, to propitiate her against interruptions in the completion of the work undertaken. The owner or the person interested in the new construction pours a little water on the earth where the foundation-pit is to be dug, sprinkles red lac and gulal (red powder), places a betel-nut and a few precious coins, and digs out the first clod of earth himself.[339] Some of the things offered to the earth at the time of khat-puja are panchāmrit,[340] betel-nuts, betel-leaves, pancha-ratna (or the five kinds of precious things, namely, gold, silver, copper, coral, and pearls), a bowl and green garments.[337] Under the influence of particular rāshis (signs of the zodiac), particular corners of the building under construction are required to be dug in the khat-muhūrt ceremonies.[338] For instance, a little digging in the north-west corner is believed to be favourable to the constructor who happens to be under the influence of Sinha (Leo), Kanya (Virgo) and Tula (Libra): in the north-east corner, if under the influence of Vrishchika (Scorpio), Dhanu (Sagittarius) and Makar (Capricornus): in the south-east corner if under the sway of Kumbha (Aquarius), Mīn (Pisces) and Mesha (Aries): in the south-west corner in the case of Vrishabh (Taurus), Mithun (Gemini) and Kark (Cancer).[338] After the worship of the earth-mother, sugar or molasses is distributed among neighbours, bystanders and relatives, in token of the auspiciousness of the occasion.[341] An image of Ganpati is worshipped in a copper-dish, this is buried underground, and a brick is laid on it when starting the work of construction.[338] In setting up the manek-stambha on marriage occasions, a small earthen bowl is filled with milk, curds, turmeric, dūrvā-sprouts[342] and mag seeds (Phaseolus mungo), and buried in the ground after being sprinkled over with red lac and rice.[343]
The ceremonies appertaining to khat-muhūrt are treated of at length in a book called Dharma-sindhu.[344] They are believed to secure durability of construction.[339]
On the Dasarā[345] day or the 10th day of the bright half of Ashvin (the last month), Rājās go out in state with their ministers and subjects to worship the earth-mother and the holy shami tree (prosopis spicegera). A wetted plot of ground is first dug over with pikes, javālā (tender wheat plants) and shami leaves are then mixed with the muddy earth, and small balls of the mixture are made. A pice and betel-nut are placed in each ball, and they are presented to the worshipper as a mark of good luck. Travellers carry such balls with them on their journeys for luck. Kings carry the same to obtain success on the battle-field. The Pāndavas had such balls with them on the field of Kurukshetra when they obtained a victory over the Kauravas.[346] The balls are also used as pastānā.[347] The javālā in the balls are taken out and allowed to grow in an earthen vessel filled with clay and manure till they reach a span in height, when they are taken up and used.[348]
Earth-worship is performed before burying treasure underground, and also when a marriage-procession, at the time of returning, reaches the limits of the bridegroom’s village.[349]
In some places, virgins worship the plot of ground on which the Holi is lighted, for about ten or twelve days after the Holi holiday.[350]
Another occasion for earth-worship is the third day of the bright half of Chaitra (the sixth month), on which day Vishnu saved the earth in his Varāha (or Boar) incarnation, when it was being carried to the nether regions by the demon Shankhāsur.[351]
On the eighth day of the bright half of Māgh and also of Āshvin (the fourth and the last month respectively), naivedya (an oblation of food) is offered to the earth-mother, and is then used as her prasād (gift). No cooked food is allowed to fall on the ground on this day: even the leavings after meals are given away to cows.[352]