The Hindus generally consider as sacred all objects that are the means of their livelihood, and, for this reason, the oilmen worship their oil-mill, the Bráhmans hold in veneration the sacred thread—Yadnopavit,—and religious books, the goldsmiths consider their firepots as sacred, and do not touch them with their feet. In case any one accidently happens to touch them with his foot, he apologises and bows to them.
It is believed by the Hindus that the broom, the winnowing fan, the páyali—a measure of four shers—the Samai or sweet-oil lamp, a metal vessel, fire and Sahán or the levigating slab should not be touched with foot.
The metals gold, silver, and copper, the King’s coins, jewels and pearls, corns, the Sháligrám stone, the Ganpati stone from the Narmada river, conch-shell, sacred ashes, elephant tusks, the horns of a wild ox (Gava), tiger skin, deer skin, milk, curds, ghi, cow’s urine, Bel, basil leaves or Tulsi, cocoanuts, betelnuts, and flowers are considered as sacred by the Hindus, and no one will dare to touch them with his foot.
Hindus worship annually on the Dasara day the arms and all the instruments or implements by which they earn their livelihood. The corn sieve, the winnowing basket, the broom, the rice-pounder, the plough, the Awuta or wood bill, and other such implements are worshipped on this day. The agriculturists respect their winnowing fans and corn sieves, and do not touch them with their feet.
In the Kolhápur District all the instruments and implements are worshipped by the people one day previous to the Dasara holiday. This worship is called Khándepujan. They also worship all agricultural instruments, and tie to them leaves of Pipal and mango trees.[23]
A new winnowing fan is considered to be holy by the Hindus. It is filled with rice, fruits, cocoanuts and betelnuts, and a Khana—a piece of bodicecloth—is spread over it. It is then worshipped and given to a Bráhman lady in fulfilment of certain vows, or on the occasion of the worship of a Bráhman Dampatya or married pair.
The broom is considered to be holy by the Hindus. Red powder—Kunku—is applied to a new broom before it is taken into use. It should not be touched with the feet.
At Rewadanda, in the Kolába District, some people worship a wood-bill or Koyata on the 6th day from the birth of a child. The rice-pounder, or Musal, is worshipped by them as a devak at the time of thread and marriage ceremonies.[24]
Fire is considered to be holy among the high class Hindus. It is considered as an angel that conveys the sacrificial offerings from this earth to the gods in heaven. It is considered as one of the Hindu deities, and worshipped daily by high class Hindus. A Bráhman has to worship the fire every day in connection with the ceremony Vaishwadeva—oblations of boiled rice and ghi given to the fire. It is also worshipped by the Hindus on special religious occasions.
Fire is worshipped at the time of Yadnas or Sacrifices. Sacrifices are of five kinds. They are:—