[72] School Master, Dahigaon, Thána. [↑]

[73] School Master, Dehari, Thána. [↑]

[74] Ráo Sáheb Shelke, Kolhápur. [↑]

CHAPTER V.

THE WORSHIP OF THE MALEVOLENT DEAD.

At Ubhádánda in the Ratnágiri District the following dreams are believed to be lucky and propitious. To swim through the river or sea, to rise to the sky, to see the Sun, the Moon and the other planets, to eat meat, to bathe in blood, and to eat rice and curds. It is also believed that the sight of white objects in dreams foretells success in any work or undertaking that may be in view. A deity, a Bráhman, a king, a married woman decked with ornaments, a bullock, a mountain, trees full of fruits, climbing the Umber tree, a looking glass, meat and flowers, if seen in dreams, are good omens. Climbing the Palas tree, Warul, i.e., an ant heap, the bitter lime tree, to marry, to use red clothes or red flower garlands, to eat cooked meat, to see the sun and the moon without lustre, and to see shooting stars during dreams, are said to be bad omens.[1]

At Mithbáv in the Devgad taluka of the Ratnágiri District dreams are believed to be caused by indigestion and restlessness. To embrace a dead body in a dream, to see troubled waters, to dine heartily, are said to be bad omens. Feasting friends and receiving gifts from them are said to be good omens.[2]

At Fonda in the Ratnágiri District dreams are said to indicate things that have happened, or are about to happen in the near future. All white substances other than cotton, salt, and bones, are considered auspicious, and all black substances excepting a lotus, a horse, an elephant, and a deity are considered inauspicious.[3]

At Ibrámpur in the Chiplun taluka, horrible dreams are good omens, while pleasing dreams indicate approaching calamities.[4]