Page 86 - GOTIL (ENG) Sample

308 Glimpses of Traditional Indian Life

coming out, the servitors in the temple put forward the
daily accounts before Them: so much was the collection,
so much was the expenditure. The whole idea is that the
Deity is considered to be the proprietor of the whole
establishment, and all the priests and other people taking
care of the temple are considered to be the servants of
the Deity. (Nectar of Devotion, Ch. 6)

Drama

Even one hundred years ago in India, all dramatic
performances were centered around the superhuman
activities of the Supreme Lord. The common people would
be verily entertained by the performances of dramas,
and yātrā parties [drama troupes] played wonderfully
on the superhuman activities of the Lord, and thus even
the illiterate agriculturist would be a participant in the
knowledge of Vedic literature, despite a considerable lack
of academic qualifications. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.11.20
Purport)

Rituals

Vermilion, khai (fused rice), bananas, coconuts, and
turmeric mixed with oil are all auspicious gifts for such
a ceremony (of honoring a newborn child). As there is
puffed rice, so there is another preparation of rice called
khai, or fused rice, which along with bananas, is taken as
a very auspicious presentation. Also, turmeric mixed with
oil and vermilion makes an auspicious ointment that is
smeared over the body of a newly born baby, or a person