Hindu mythology, Vedic and Purânic . 394 Miscellaneous Minor Deities. CHAPTER X. MISCELLANEOUS MINOR DEITIES. I. SHIT ALA. SHITALA is the Bengali name for the small-pox, and for thedeity who is supposed to have charge of that disease. The meaning of the word is Shewho makes cold. This god-dess is represented as a gold-en-complexioned woman sit-ting on a lotus, or riding onan ass, dressed in red an image of this kind,or more commonly a pan ofwater merely, Shitala is wor-shipped in the hope that shewill preserve her worshippersfrom this dire disease. In the spring of the year the
Hindu mythology, Vedic and Purânic . 394 Miscellaneous Minor Deities. CHAPTER X. MISCELLANEOUS MINOR DEITIES. I. SHIT ALA. SHITALA is the Bengali name for the small-pox, and for thedeity who is supposed to have charge of that disease. The meaning of the word is Shewho makes cold. This god-dess is represented as a gold-en-complexioned woman sit-ting on a lotus, or riding onan ass, dressed in red an image of this kind,or more commonly a pan ofwater merely, Shitala is wor-shipped in the hope that shewill preserve her worshippersfrom this dire disease. In the spring of the year the Hindus were in the habit of inoculating their children who were about two years of age ; on which occasion the Brahman who performed the operation presents to render Shitala propitious, and promised in case >rk was successful to give still greater gifts. At the close operation the flowers that were presented to the goddess 1 in the hair of the child as a charm. On behalf of afflicted with small-pox, offerings are made daily; and. :J Ufe ALA. Man as a. 395 when the patient is thought to be dangerously ill, he is placedin front of an image of Shitala, bathed in, and given to drink,water that has been offered to her. Beggars go about with astone, partly gilded, which they teach is sacred to Shitala, and,singing her praises, receive presents from the superstitious.* 2. MANASA. Manasa is the sister of Vasuki, the King of the Snakes ; thewife of Jaratkaru, a sage ; and being the Queen of the Snakes isregarded as the protectress ofmen from those reptiles. An-other name by which she isknown is Vishahara, the de-stroyer of poison. Generallyofferings are made to her with-out any image being made, abranch of a tree, a pan of water,an earthen snake being her re-presentatives ; when her imageis made, it is that of a womanclothed with snakes, sitting ona lotus, or standing upon asnake. A song founded uponthe following story concludesthe worship of this deity. A merchant named Chandanot o
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