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II.

WHY BRAHMANS CANNOT EAT IN THE

DARK.

AMONG Hindus, especially among Brahmans ofthe Madras Presidency- and I now see from per-sonal observation that it is the same in the BombayPresidency also- there is a custom, while takingtheir meals, of leaving their food uneaten when it sohappens that from any cause the light is blown out.Of course this could occur only in the night- time.Such mishaps now- a- days take place only in poorfamilies, sitting down to supper with a single light.Hence the following story, told as the origin of thiscustom, is beginning to be forgotten. It runs asfollows:-

In a certain village there lived a Brâhman whohad an only daughter. She was deeply read inSanskrit, and was of the most charming beauty.He procured a husband for her as deeply read asherself. The betrothal had already taken place;the muhurta or auspicious time for her marriage wasfixed at the tenth ghatika* of that night. On that

An Indian hour equal to twenty- four minutes.