Note 3 — Chapter III · DISEASE DEITIES.

Purvajas or ancestral spirits descend to the level of ghosts when they are strongly attached to worldly objects. Such spirits often possess the bodies of their descendants, though the necessary Shrāddhas are performed for their release. The 13th, 14th and 15th days of the bright half of the months of Kārtik and Chaitra are the special days for propitiation of departed spirits by their relatives either at home or in holy places, while the whole of the dark half of the month of Bhādarvā is devoted to this purpose.3 During this fortnight, shrāddha is performed in honour of the deceased on the day corresponding to the day of his death, when Brāhmans are feasted. Thus, a person dying on the 5th day of Kārtik has his shrāddha performed on the 5th day of the sharādian. On this occasion, water is poured at the root of the Pipal, tarpan or offerings of water are made, and pinds or balls of rice are offered to the deceased.