Note 117 — Chapter I · NATURE POWERS.

Hindus regard the earth as one of their important deities and worship it on various occasions. It is enjoined upon Bráhmans to worship it daily at the time of their Sandhya rite, as well as while performing the Shrávani ceremony.117 The people of the Ratnágiri District pray to the earth as soon as they leave their bed in the morning.118 The earth is required to be worshipped at the time of laying the foundation-stone of a house, as well as at the time of bringing into use a newly built house.119 Since it is held unholy to sleep on the bare ground, those whose parents die, sleep on a woollen cloth on the ground till their parents’ anniversary is over.120 Wanprastas, Sanyásis, and Bráhmans are required to sleep on the ground.121 Some pious men sleep on the bare ground during the Cháturmás (the four months of the rainy season), at the expiry of which they present a bed to a Bráhman.122 It is enjoined upon a prince to sleep on the bare ground on the eve of the coronation day.123