Since these lines were written the kindness of Mr. Tawney, librarian at
the India Office, has added to my stock of examples. Thus, Mr. Stokes
printed in the Indian Antiquary (ii. p. 190) notes of evidence taken at
an inquest on a boy of fourteen, who fell during the fire-walk, was
burned, and died on that day. The rite had been forbidden, but was
secretly practised in the village of Periyangridi. The fire-pit was 27
feet long by 7.5 feet broad and a span in depth. Thirteen persons walked
through the hot wood embers, which, in Mr. Stokes's opinion (who did not
see the performance), 'would hardly injure the tough skin of the sole of
a labourer's foot,' yet killed a boy. The treading was usually done by
men under vows, perhaps vows made during illness. One, at least, walked
'because it is my duty as Pujari.' Another says, 'I got down into the
fire at the east end, meditating on Draupati, walked through to the west,
and up the bank.' Draupati is a goddess, wife of the Pandavas. Mr.
Stokes reports that, according to the incredulous, experienced
fire-walkers smear their feet with oil of the green frog. No report is
made as to the condition of their feet when they emerge from the fire.
Another case occurs in Oppert's work, The Original Inhabitants of India
(p. 480). As usual, a pit is dug, filled with faggots. When these have
burned down 'a little,' and 'while the heat is still unbearable in the
neighbourhood of the ditch, those persons who have made the vow . . .
walk . . . on the embers in the pit, without doing themselves as a rule
much harm.'
Again, in a case where butter is poured over the embers to make a blaze,
'one of the tribal priests, in a state of religious afflatus, walks
through the fire. It is said that the sacred fire is harmless, but some
admit that a certain preservative ointment is used by the performers.' A
chant used at Mirzapur (as in Fiji) is cited. {171}
In these examples the statements are rather vague. No evidence is
adduced as to the actual effect of the fire on the feet of the
ministrants. We hear casually of ointments which protect the feet, and
of the thickness of the skins of the fire-walkers, and of the
unapproachable heat, but we have nothing exact, no trace of scientific
precision. The Government 'puts down,' but does not really investigate
the rite.