Note 138 — Chapter V · WORSHIP OF THE MALEVOLENT DEAD.
Reading edition
It is related that once a number of boys, on their return from a tank to which they had gone on a swimming excursion, passed by a Khijada tree, when one of them suggested to the others to throw stones at the tree, saying that any one not doing so would fall under the displeasure of God. One of the boys threw a stone at a neighbouring Bābul tree with the result that on reaching home he fell ill in a fit of terror. He began to shake and said, “Why did you strike me with a stone? I had resorted to the Bābul tree from the Khijado and you struck me there. I shall not depart until I take your life.” Evidently it was the Khijadio Māmo who had possessed the boy who spoke the above words; and an exorcist was called who drove him out by the incantation of mantras; after which the boy recovered.138