74. It may be proper to observe, that the Hindoos never bury their dead; but if they can afford it, always burn them. If they be too poor, or the person be rendered unclean by some incurable disease, they are either thrown into a river or left on the ground to be devoured.
75. A kind of celestial beings, which are fabled by the Hindoos.
76. it is not generally known, that women, in certain cases, burn themselves with any part of their husbands' effects, as a substitute for him; but on inquiry of my Pundit, whether this be now practised, he assured me it was, and that he had himself seen many instances of it.
77. Shraddha, or Pinda, is an offering made to the manes of any deceased person, on an appointed day after his or her death. It consists of rice, and other article, often made into cakes, and is continued annually for seven generations by all his or her descendants, called Sapinda, and in some cases to fourteen generations by all the descendants, who, when beyond the seventh generation, are called Sakoolya.
78. The following law, from the same book, will show how uncleanness for death or birth must be observed in the different casts: viz. If a person die, or if a child be born, the Sapinda shall be unclean ten days for a Brahmman, twelve for a Kshetra, fifteen for a Bysha, and one month for a Soodra: during which time they can make no offering to their ancestors or the gods.
79. Dospinda an inferior offering made to the manes.
80. This may happen if her own son be an infant, or very far off, or if she have no son.
81. The Hindoos believe the metemphsychosis, and say that certain diseases, as mahabhead, consumptions, and some others; also dreadful accidents, such as being killed by a Brahmman; and great sin, such as killing a Brahmman, are the fruit of sins committed in a former life.
82. A person with such diseases, accidents, or sins cannot have the rite of burning his body performed till an offering of atonement has been made, which qualifies him for having his obsequies performed; viz. Dahon or burning (in which case the wife may die with him,) and the Shraddha, or Pinda. This, however, does not gain such on one admission into bliss, which is only done by the Sahemaron, or the wife's dying with him.