to
W. or S.E. to N.W. The penalty for sleeping with the head to the west
is said to be anxiety of mind, while sleeping with the head to the north
is considered fatal. I beg to invite the attention of the Hindus to a
similar penalty of death incurred by any but an initiate (Brahman)
pronouncing the sacred Pranava (Om). This does not prove that Pranava
is really a mischievous bad word, but that, with incompetent men, it is
fraught with danger. So also, in the case of ordinary men of the
plains, there may be unknown dangers which it would not be prudent for
them to risk so long as they do not know how to meet them, or so long as
they are not under the guidance of men who can protect them. In short,
ordinary men should move on in their beaten course, and these rules are
for them only.
As an instance of the infringement of the rule the following anecdote is
given:--
After Ganesha (Siva's son) was born, all the Devas (gods) came to
congratulate the family and bless the child. Sani or Saturn, was the
last to come, and even then he came after he had been several times
inquired after.
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