Note 81 — G

Propitiation of the dead. 10. Besides the ordinary srâddha, which is performed in honour of deceased relations, childless relations (apût, a corruption of aputra) are propitiated by performing the Kirtân ceremony. At this certain professional Brâhmans sing religious songs, and a feast is given to them. The srâddha performed on the eleventh day after death is known as Ekoddishta or “directed towards this single deceased person alone.” The subsequent srâddhas are common to the whole body of deceased relations. They are done either monthly on the day the deceased died, or annually in the month of Kuâr (September–October). Those who are particularly religious visit some holy shrine, such as the confluence of two sacred rivers, or, in preference, Gaya, for this purpose. In most villages there is a particular spot on the outskirts which is supposed to be haunted by the ghosts of deceased relations, particularly those who have died childless or perished by a violent death. Some pieces of stone are their representatives, and these are worshipped by women at marriages, when the bride goes home with her husband, and at some other festivals. If there have been a sati in the family she is worshipped at the same time.81 The ordinary srâddha is performed in accordance with the standard ritual, and in all cases among Golapûrabs, by the family priest.