VAUTHRO, AUGUST.
THE BIRTHDAY OF KRISHNO.--FASTING AND WORSHIP ON THE
OCCASION.--REJOICING OF NUNTHO; THE WORSHIP OF MONSHA,--A
GODDESS WHOSE MESSENGERS ARE SERPENTS, ADDERS, TOADS, ETC.
The Hindoo mythology relates the birth of Krishno as having taken
place in this month, on the “eighth day after the full moon.” He was
born to redeem the world, which was then trembling under the feet
of a tyrant. His parents were in a humble prison at the time of his
advent. In the presence of the heavenly babe the fetters that bound the
prisoners were broken asunder, the cell began to dazzle, joy and sorrow
overwhelmed the unhappy parents. “A heavenly voice” whispered to the
father to fly with the child to Gocool, across the river Jomuna, which
was immediately done. The tyrant who sought to destroy the child felt
mortified, seeing his precaution frustrated, and sent some messengers
to kill all the infants in the neighboring places.
The Hindoos hold this day sacred, and spend it in fasting and worship.
They abstain entirely from food and drink for more than thirty hours,
at the end of which Krishno’s image is worshipped, and the story of his
birth is read to the hungry worshippers. In connection with the birth
of Krishno comes Nunth-sobe,--the rejoicing of Nuntho, the king, in
whose palace the infant Krishno was left in the shade of night.
On this occasion the Hindoos anoint themselves with all sorts of
perfumatory oil, attar of rose, etc., and spend three days in grand
festivities, music, and dancing.
On the thirtieth of this month is the worship of Mōnshā, which, on
account of a singular feast that accompanies it, is quite different
from others of the same sort. The name of this feast is Ur-run-thun.
Cooking is strictly forbidden on this day; no fire is to be put in the
oven. They cook all their food the evening before, with much care and
ceremony, such as offering prayers to the goddess, sounding the sacred
shell, etc.
In the morning of the thirtieth, the cactus trees are worshipped, which
grow high in India. The stem is washed, and anointed; flower wreaths
are hung on the branches, the sacrifice of a he-goat offered, etc. As
the messengers of the goddess are serpents, and cannot be conveniently
handled, their pictures are worshipped with due respect and awe.