Note 119 — XX.

Apart from erroneous popular notions, which in this age of depravity are corrupted by vanity, the Hindoo Shastra, be it mentioned to its credit, abounds in explicit injunctions on the subject of a funeral ceremony in various ways according to the peculiar circumstances of parties. From an expenditure of lacks and lacks of Rupees to a mere trifle, it can be performed with the ultimate prospect of equal merit. It is stated in the holy Shastra that the god Ramchundra considered himself purified (for a Hindoo under mourning is held unclean until the funeral ceremony is performed) by offering to the manes of his ancestors simple balls of sand, called pindas, on the bank of the holy stream. In these days a poor man would be held sanctified or absolved from this religious responsibility by making a tilakánchán Shrád, or offering a small quantity of rice, teelseed and a few fruits, and feeding only one Brahmin, all which would not cost more than four Rupees.