Research source

Deaths from drowning are not unknown in Madras at times of eclipse, when Hindus bathe in the sea, and get…

Date of account: Published 1912
Source: Omens and Superstitions of Southern India
Reference: Omens and Superstitions of Southern India · selected passage 4
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-25

Record summary

Deaths from drowning are not unknown in Madras at times of eclipse, when Hindus bathe in the sea, and get washed away by the surf

Published source text

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Source passage

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Deaths from drowning are not unknown in Madras at times of eclipse, when Hindus bathe in the sea, and get washed away by the surf. It is said [45] that, before an eclipse, the people prepare their drums, etc., to frighten the giant, lest he should eat up the moon entirely. Images of snakes are offered to the deity on days of eclipse by Brahmans on whose star day the eclipse falls, to appease the wrath of the terrible Rahu. It is noted by Mr S. M. Natesa Sastri [46] that "the eclipse must take place on some asterism or other, and, if that asterism happens to be that in which any Hindu was born, he has to perform some special ceremonies to absolve himself from impending evil. He makes a plate of gold or silver, or of palm leaf, according to his means, and ties it on his forehead with Sanskrit verses inscribed on it. He sits with this plate for some time, performs certain ceremonies, bathes with the plate untied, and presents it to a Brahman with some fee, ranging from four annas to several thousands of rupees.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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