[1] See S. Matt. xxii. 37, or (what was written many centuries earlier) Deut. vi. 5, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.” [↑]
[2] Modai (Assamese: deota, devta), a god, spirit, &c. Hām-na (Hindustani pakar or Assamese dharna): to catch, lay hold of, &c. Hence “Modai hāmdang, an (evil) spirit has seized (me),” “got hold (of me).” [↑]
[3] Nă, house (ghar). Gámi, village (gáon). [↑]
[4] It is probable that her great function, i.e., guardianship of the paddy field, is indicated by her name; for mai = paddy (Assamese dhán); and na (náo) = to watch over, keep (Assamese rakha); hence mai-náo = “the protector of the rice-fields.” [↑]
[5] See “The Koch Kings of Kamrup,” by E. A. Gait, Esq., I.C.S. [↑]
[6] I have seen such a puja on the Manas river. The principal offering to the river god was a duck. [↑]
[7] Cf. St. Luke’s account of the “Pythonissa,” Acts xvi. 16–18. [↑]
[8] Cf. Khasi birth custom, p. 124, “The Khasis.”—[Ed.] [↑]
[9] Cf. the Jewish ceremonial described in Leviticus, xii. [↑]