Another remarkable ceremony succeeds this. The young man
being seated with his face towards the east, his future father-in-law
supposes that he beholds in him the great Vrishnoo. With this
impression, he offers him a sacrifice, and then, making him put both of
his feet in a new dish filled with cow-dung, he first washes them with
water, then with milk, and again with water, accompanying the whole with
suitable muntrums or prayers.
After many other ceremonies, he takes the hand of his daughter and puts
it into that of his son-in-law. He then pours water over them in honor
of Vrishnoo. This is the most solemn of all the ceremonies, being the
token of his resigning his daughter to the authority of the young man.
She must be accompanied with three gifts, namely, one or more cows, some
property in land, and a _salagrama_, which consists of some little
amulet stones in high esteem among the Brahmins. This ceremony being
finished, the tahly is brought to be fastened to the neck of the bride.
This, as I before said, is presented on a salver, decked and garnished
with sweet-smelling flowers. Incense is offered to it, and it is
presented to the assistants each of whom touches it and invokes
blessings upon it.
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