Another favourite deity is Siva Bhaia, whose story is given by Colonel
Mackenzie [204] as follows: "The love borne by Mari Mata, the goddess
of cholera, for the handsome Siva Rathor, is an event of our own
times (1874); she proposed to him, but his heart being pre-engaged he
rejected her; and in consequence his earthly bride was smitten sick
and died, and the hand of the goddess fell heavily on Siva himself,
thwarting all his schemes and blighting his fortunes and possessions,
until at last he gave himself up to her. She then possessed him and
caused him to prosper exceedingly, gifting him with supernatural power
until his fame was noised abroad, and he was venerated as the saintly
Siva Bhaia or great brother to all women, being himself unable to
marry. But in his old age the goddess capriciously wished him to marry
and have issue, but he refused and was slain and buried at Pohur in
Berar. A temple was erected over him and his kinsmen became priests of
it, and hither large numbers are attracted by the supposed efficacy
of vows made to Siva, the most sacred of all oaths being that taken
in his name." If a Banjara swears by Siva Bhaia, placing his right
hand on the bare head of his son and heir, and grasping a cow's tail
in his left, he will fear to perjure himself, lest by doing so he
should bring injury on his son and a murrain on his cattle. [205]