In any view, it is right to afford the opportunity for
correcting these mistakes, so as not to expose to the flames a person
who is still alive. Hence the propriety of these pauses, each of which
continues half of the quarter of an hour.
Having arrived at the place for burning the dead, they dig a trench
about six or seven feet in length. This is consecrated by the muntrums.
It is slightly sprinkled with water to lay the dust, and a few pieces of
money in gold are scattered upon it. Here the pile is erected of dried
wood, on which the body is laid out at full length. Over the body a
quantity of twigs are laid, which are sprinkled with punchakaryam The
chief of the funeral then takes on his shoulders a pitcher of water, and
goes around the pile three times, letting the water run through a hole
made in it. After this he breaks the pitcher in pieces near the head of
the corpse.
At last the torch is brought for setting fire to the pile, and is handed
to the chief of the funeral. Before he receives it, however, he is
obliged to make some grimaces to prove his sorrow. He rolls about on the
ground, beats his breast, and makes the air resound with his cries.
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