Research source

Ed account of the odi cult, from which the following information was obtained, is given by Mr Anantha Krishna…

Date of account: Published 1912
Source: Omens and Superstitions of Southern India
Reference: Omens and Superstitions of Southern India · selected passage 43
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-25

Record summary

ed account of the odi cult, from which the following information was obtained, is given by Mr Anantha Krishna Iyer

Published source text

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Source passage

Source text · mention only

ed account of the odi cult, from which the following information was obtained, is given by Mr Anantha Krishna Iyer. [282] The disciple is taught how to procure pilla thilum (foetus oil) from the six or seven months foetus of a young woman in her first pregnancy. He (the Paraiyan magician) sets out at midnight from his hut to the house of the woman he has selected, round which he walks several times, shaking a cocoanut containing gurasi (a compound of water, lime, and turmeric), and muttering some mantrams to invoke the aid of his deity. He also draws a yantram (cabalistic figure) on the earth, taking special care to observe the omens as he starts. Should they be unfavourable, he puts it off for a more favourable opportunity. By the potency of his cult, the woman is made to come out. Even if the door of the room in which she might sleep be under lock and key, she would knock her head against it until she found her way out. She thus comes out, and yields herself to the influence of the magician, who leads her to a retired spot either in the compound (grounds), or elsewhere in the neighbourhood, strips her naked, and tells her to lie flat. She does so, and a chora kindi (gourd, Lagenaria) is placed close to the uterus.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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