Note 135 — Chapter II · HEROIC GODLINGS

In some communities a custom prevails of “inviting the lotās of the Mātās” on the occasion of the first pregnancy of a woman. On the day on which the lotās are to be invited, the pregnant woman takes a bath early in the morning, and calls upon thirteen gorāṇis, whom she invites to dinner by marking their foreheads with red lac. A Brāhman is called to set up the Mātās, whose installation takes place in the same manner as that of Randal. The piece of cloth spread on the wooden stool is required to be green. When the gorāṇis sit down to the dinner, the pregnant woman washes their right toes with milk and swallows that milk as charanāmrit (lit. the nectar of the feet). The gorāṇis are required to taste a morsel of some preparation of milk before they begin their meal. At night, a company of women dance in a circle round the Mātās, singing songs. Next morning a bhuvā is called, who declares the will of the Mātās. On receiving a satisfactory reply from the bhuvā, the party disperses.135