Pilgrimage, Book 5 · Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
Of the kingdome of Narsinga and Bisnag…r.
FRom those places where our feete last rested (or touched rather) vntounto the Cape Guadauerin aMagin. Gi. Bo…er. Be….betwixt that ridge of mountaines called Gates, and the Ocean (which is there named the Gulfe of Bengala) trendeth the kingdome of Narsinga or Bisnagar; those two royall Cities contending which shal giuegive name to this mighty Empire, containing two hundred leagues of Sea-coast. The king hath in continuall pay fortie thousand Nairos. But as occasion serueth, hee can bring into the field many many thousands more, as in that Expedition against Idalcan specified by Barrius and Boterus; in which, to let passe that world b700000.foot.40000 horse. 700.elephants. 20000. horlots.of people, hee sacrificed vntounto Idolls twentie thousand seuen hundred and three score head of beasts and fowles in nine dayes space, which in Idoll-deuotion were all bestowed after on the poore.
In the yeare of our LORD 1567. Biznagar cC.Fred.was sacked by foure Kings of the Moores, (as saith Frederike) naming them Dialcan, Zamaluc, Cotamaluc and V…idy, through treason of her owne Captaines: but hauing sacked it (as not able to holde it) they retired home. The city remained after, an habitation for Tygers and wild beasts; containing in circuit foure and twenty miles, as our Author (that stayed there seuen moneths) affirmeth. Hee neüer sawe Pallace exceeding that of Bisnagar. It had nine gates, with guards of souldiers; Heere he obserued their rites in burning the women so often mentioned.
The woman dThe solemnity of burning of the wife after her husbands death.taketh two or three moneths respite after her husbands death: the day being come, she goeth earely out of her house, mounted on an horse or elephant, or else on a stage carried by eight men: apparelled like to a Bride adorned with iewells, and her haire about her shoulders; holding in her left hand a Looking-Glasse; in the right, an arrow: and singeth as shee passeth through the Citie, saying; That shee goeth to sleepe with her husband. Shee is accompanied with her friends, vntill it bee one or two of the clock in the afternoone: then they goe out of the citie passing by the riuers side to the burning-place, where is prepared a great square Caue full of wood. Heere is made a great banket, the woman eating with ioy, as if it were her weddingday, and after they sing and daunce till the woman bidde to kindle the fire in the caue; then she leaueth the Feast, and taketh her husbands neerest kinsman by the hand, and goeth with him to the banke of the riuer, where she strippeth her of her clothes and iewells, bestowing them at her pleasure, and couering her selfe with a cloth, throweth her selfe into the riuer, saying; O wretches, wash away your sinnes. Comming out of the water, she rowleth her selfe into a yellow cloth; and againe, taking her husbands kinsman by the hand, goeth to the said caue, by which is erected a little Pinnacle, on which she mounteth, and there recommendeth her children and kinred to the people. After this, another woman taketh a pot with oyle, and sprinckleth it ouer her head, and therewith annoynteth all her body, and then throweth it into the furnace, the woman going together with the same. Presently after the woman the people throw great peeces of wood into the Caue, so that with those blowes, and the fire, shee is quickely dead: and their great mirth is on a sodaine turned into great lamentation and howling.
When a great man dieth, both his wife and slaues with whom hee hath had carnall copulation, burne themselues together with him. Amongst the baser sort, I hauehave seene (saith Maister Frederike) the dead man carried to the place of buriall, and there set vpright: The wife immured with hir dead husband.the woman comming before him on her knees, casteth hir armes about his neck, while a Mason maketh a wall round about them: and when the wall is as high as their neckes; one comming behinde the woman, strangleth her, the workeman presently finishing the wall ouer them; and this is their buriall.
Ludouicus Vertomannus fLud.Vert.li.6relateth the same funerall rites of Tarnasseri (as in other parts of India) sauing that there fifteene or twenty men in their idolatrous habite, like Deuilles, doe attend on the fire wherein the husband is burned; all the Musicians of the citie solemnizing the funerall pompe: and fifteene days after they hauehave the like solemnity, at the burnign of the woman, those diuellish fellowes holding fire in their mouthes, and sacrificing to Deumo, and are her intercessors to that deuill for her good intertainement.
The cause of burning the wiues is by some ascribed to their wonted poysonings of their husbands before this Law; gOd…ricus.by others, that the husband might hauehave her helpe and comfort in the other world.
In these parts is the City of Saint Thomas or Malepur, where they say Saint Thomas (after he had preached the Gospel to the Indians) was martyred and burned. The Legend which some report of his death, were too tedious to recite: and as little likeliehood of truth is in that long tale of the miraculous Crucifixes heere sound, related by Osorius, hOsorius libr. 3.who likewise declareth the rites of those Saint Thomas-Christians, of their Chaldean Pope, Cardinalls, Patriarchs and Bishops; of which in an other place wee shall more fitly speake. On the first day of Iuly Saint Thomas holy-day is celebrated, aswel by the Pagans as Christians: and his Sepulchre is had in deuout estimation both of the Moores, Gentiles, & Christians; each iOd. Barbosa.pretending the right of his own Religion to the Church, where this Saint lieth interred, to which the Indian Christians goe on pilgrimage, carrying with them a litle of that earth for a great relike. A Moore had the keeping of the Church, which was built after our fashion, and begged of the commers for maintenance of it, and of a Light continually burning therein.
The Portugalls kLiuschot.now inhabite this Towne almost desolate: the Iesuits also hauehave heere a residence. The Church-doores (by the superstition of some) are almost cut in peeces, and carried away to set in gold and siluer, and to weare about their neckes, as a holy relike; the Portugalles heerein being exceedingly vaine, and attributing hereunto many miracles, verifying that Prouerb which the Spaniards vse, affirming the Portugals to be lDeuout litle fooles.Pocos sotos devotos. One sent Linschoten a whole bead-roll or payre of Beads therof, the bringer affirming that those beads had calmed a tempest miraculously by the way. The Inhabitants in this respect hauehave driuen their Church-doores full of nailes: but Saint Thomas bones are now remoued to Goa. Those doores are of such renowened holinesse, because they were made of that wood which Saint Thomas drew with his girdle out of the hauen (which it choaked) and could not before … be remoued
Odoricus mOdoricustelleth of a strange and vncouth Idoll, as bigge as Saint Christopher, or pure golde, with a new band about the necke full of precious stones, some one whereof was of valew (if he valewed iustly) more then a whole kingdome: The roofe, pauement, and seeling of the walles, within and without the Temple, was all gold. The Indians went thither on pilgrimage, some with halters about their neckes, some with their hands bound behinde them, some with kniues sticking on their armes and legs; and if after their pilgrimage, the wounded flesh seftered, they esteemed that limbe holie, and a signe of their Gods fauour. Neere to the Temple was a lake whereinto he Pilgrimes cast golde, siluer, and gemmes for honour of the Idole, and reparation of his Temple. At eueryevery yearely feast the King and Queene with the Pilgrimes and people assembling, placed the said Idoll in a rich Charriot, and with a solemne prosession of Virgins two and two in a rancke singing before him, and with musicall Instruments carry him forth. Many Pilgrims put themselues vnderunder the charriot-wheels, where they are crushed in peeces. More then fiue hundred persons vsed thus to doe, whose carkasses were burned, and ashes kept for holie reliques. Otherwise also they will deuore themselues to such a martyrdome in this manner. The parents and friends assemble and make a feast to this Votary, and after that hang fiue sharpe kniues about his necke, and so carry him before the Idole, where he taketh one of his kniues, and crieth; For the worship of my God I cut this my flesh; and cutting a peece, casteth it at the face of the Idole, and so proceeding, at the last saith; Now doe I yeelde my selfe to death in the behalfe of my God; and being dead, is burned as before.
Our Countrey-man nS. Iohn Mand …sir Iohn Mandeuile reporteth the same Historie of their Idoll Procession, and the ashes of those voluntary Martires, which they keepe to defend them against tempests and misfortunes. He also saith, that some Pilgrimes in all their peregrination, not once lifted vp their eye-liddes, some at eueryevery third or fourth pace fell downe on their knees to worship, some whipped, others wounded themselues; yea, and killed themselues (as is before said.) Nicholao di Conti oNic… di Conti.reporteth the same in his time.
Neither is this bloudy custome yet lest, as Linscboten pLinschat. libr.1.c2.44.affirmeth by report of one of his Chamber-fellowes that had seene it. They hauehave (saith hee) a waggon, or cart, so heauie, that three or foure Elephants can hardly draw it, which is brought forth at Faires, Feasts, and Processions. At this Cart hang many Cables or Ropes, whereat all the people hale and pull, of deuotion. In the vpper part of the Cart standeth a Tabernacle, and therein the Idole: vnderunder it sit the Kings wiues playing on Instruments. And while the Procession passeth, some cut peeces of their flesh, and throw at the Pagode, some lay themselues vnderunder the wheeles of the cart, with such euent as you hauehave heard.
Gasp…ro Balby relateth the same, and addeth, that the Priests, which hauehave care of this Idol, and certaine women, are conscrated to these deuotions from their Cradles by their zeale-blinde parents. qBalhy ca. 28. & Arthus Dan. bist.Ind.O….c.1.And the women prostitute their bodies, to gaine for the Idole whatsoeuer they can get ouer and aboue their owne maintenance. This filleth the Citie with strumpets; there being of this Sacred (you may interprete it Cursed) crue, foure hundred in one place of the Citie. These hauehave their place in the Idol-Procession, some of them in the Charriot which is drawne by men; euerie one accompting himselfe happy, that can touch or draw the same. This he saith was at Negapaton.
He further affirmeth, that not farre from the Citie of Saint Thomas is the Towne Casta: where the wife is not burned (as at Negapatan) but a great graue being made for the deceased husband, they place the liuing wife by the dead corpse, and their neerest kindred cast earth vponupon them both, and stampe thereon. They which marrie, wed in their owne degree, as a Smith to Smiths daughter; and they powre out their prayers at the Image of some Cowe, or a Serpent called Bittia di capella. Their Bramine …burne Cowes-doung; and if they intend any warres with other Nations, they annoynt their nose and forehead with those ashes, not washing themselues till the euening. They which hauehave sacrificed themselues to the Pagode, when they hauehave wal… arrowes, and diuersly mangle themselues; at last, cutting their owne throats, so sacrificing themselues to the Pagode.
There are also certaine people called Amouchi, otherwise Chiavi, which perceiuing the end of their life to rOciperate dying.approch, lay hold on their weapons, which they call Chisse and going forth, kill eueryevery man they meete with, till some body (by killing them) make an end of their killing. They are loth (it seemes) to come into the deuills presence empty-handed, or to goe to Hell alone. Some of them worship GOD in the likenesse of a Man; some in the Images of Kine and Scrpents: some inuoke the Sunne and Moone; others, some Tree or Riuer.
Among many Feasts which they celebrate in the yeare, one in Autumne is most solemne, in which they take some great tree, and fasten it in the ground, hauing first fashioned it like a mast of a ship, with a crosse-yard, whereon they hang two hooks of yron. And when any one by sicknes, or other misery, hath made a vow to their Idoll or Pagode, he commeth thither, & being first admonished by the Priests to offer his sacrifice, they lift him with those hooks by both the shoulders, and there hold him to the Idol, till he hath 3.times saluted the same, with clapping his folded hands to his breast, and hath made some sport thereto with weapons which he hath in his hand. After this he is let downe, and the bloud which issueth from his shoulders is sprinckled on the tree, in testimonie of his deuotion. Then they draw him vp againe by the middle, to giuegive thankes to the Idoll: and then giuegive him leaue to heale himselfe, if he can. They which are in great miserie, or seeke some great matter at the hand of their Idoll, doe this. They hauehave an other Feast, celebrated in the night, continuing eight nights: in which many candles are seene burning through the City. Three or foure runne from one end of the streete to the other, and hurling rice, and other meates after them, say, they offer it to the deuill which followes them; not daring to looke behinde, lest hee should slay them.
In other places also they hauehave those idoll-chariots, like vntounto Towers, to the drawing whereof, many thousands of deuout persons put their helping-hand. Francis sF.Fernandes epist. 1598.Fernandes saith, that Cidambaran is the mother-city of their Pagan-rites, wherein are many stately Temples, and the reuenue of the Bramenes amounted to thirty thousand ducats, but now they are payd but twelue thousand yearely.
Heere happened a strange accident, the same day the Iesuites departed, which was this. There is in this City a Temple of Perimal, wherein they worship an Ape called Hanimant, whom they report to hauehave beene a GOD, and (for I know not what) together with many thousands of other gods, to hauehave remained there, being all transformed into Apes. Now when this principall Ape was forced to passe into the Iland Zeilan, and wanted a ship, he leaped, and at eueryevery leape left an Iland or heape of land behinde him, so making way for his apish traine to Zeilan. The tooth of this Ape was kept for a great relique in that Iland with great resort of Pilgrimes thereunto: and in the yeare tLinschot. c. 44.1554. was by the Portugalls, (who made a roade thither, in hope of great bootie) taken away. The Indian Princes offered the Viceroy three hundred thousand (or as Linschoten telleth, seuen hundred thousand) ducats, for the ransome of this Apes tooth, but the Archbishop dissuaded the Viceroy; who thereupon burnt the same before those Indian Embassadours, and threw the ashes into the Sea. Not long after, a Benian… of Cambaia perswaded the Indians, that hee by Diuine power had taken away that holy tooth being inuisibly present, and had left another in the roome which was burnt. Superstition is credulous, and the King of Bisnagar gaue him a great summe of gold for that Apes tooth, wherewith hee thus apishly had bitten and mocked them, which was after holden in like veneration as the former. But to returne to our Cidambaran History.
They uF. Fernand.tell, that a holy man, in great penance, had many yeares held his foote pierced through with a peece of yron; and when hee was often by GOD commaunded to leaue that selfe-rigour, he flatly refused, vnlesse that hee might see GOD dauncing about him, which also he condiscended vntounto; and with the Sunne, Moone and Starres, which played the Musicians, he appeared dauncing. And as he daunced, a Chaine of gold fell from his foote, whereof this Towne tooke name. For Cidambaran signifieth a golden Chaine.
Now at this time *1598.there was a great contention, whether the signe of Perimal should be erected in the Temple of Cidambacham. This signe was a gilded mast, with an Ape at the foote thereof. Many Embassadours were there about this quarrel; somevrging, some resisting this deed. But the Prince (called the Naicho of Gingi) would hauehave it set vp, not withstanding the Priests greatest vnwillingnesse. The priests therefore both regular (which are the Iogues) and secular Bramenes ascended vp the roofe of the Church, and thence threatned to hurle downe themselues, which twenty of the Iogues did, and the rest threatned to follow. But the Naicho caused gunnes to be discharged at them, which slew two, and caused the rest to retire and breake their couenant, rather then their neckes, with their fellowes. A woman also of this faction cut her owne throat for zeale of this new superstition. The swelling stile of this king of Bisnagar I thought worthy to be heere inserted, which is this. xThe titles of the Kings of Bisnagar.The husband of good fortune, the God of great Prouinces, King of the greatest Kings, and God of Kings, the Lord of horsemen, the Maister of them which can not speake, Emperour of three Emperours, Conquer our of all hee sees, and Keeper of all he conquers, dreadfull …the eights coasts of the World, vanquisher of the Mahumetans, &c. Lord of the East, west, North, and South, and of the Sea, &c. Vencapat adinus Ragiu Denamaganus Ragel, which now ruleth and gouerneth this world.
With the Naicho or King of Gingi (vassall to the King or Emperour of Bisnagar) the: Iesuites found good entertainement. Heere some of the Iogues distributed the water of Ganges out of certaine vessells couered with sowle and filthy clothes, which yet the people for deuotion kissed. These Iogues with admirable patience endured the Sunnes heate: and one among the rest inclosed himselfe in an yron Cage, with his head and feete onelyonly out of the Cage, that hee could neither sit nor lie downe at any time: and on the Cage were hanged a hundred Lampes, which foure other Iogues his companions lighted at certaine times. And thus walked hee in this his perpetuall prison, as a Light vntounto the world in his vaine-glorious opinion. They reasoned with certaine Bramenes; some of which held the Sunne for God, and yet sometime to hauehave beene a man, and for his merites so promoted. Some denyed a multitude of Gods, onelyonly allowing that priuiledge to Pyrama, Vidhun, and Vnitir, one of which Maketh, an other keepeth, the third destroyeth all things.
Neare to Madure is an idole called Chocanada: which by night appeared in Vision to a Priest, and bade him goe say to the Naicho of Madure, that hee or I must abide in this house: whereupon hee would not be corriuall with his Idole, but resigned the Pallace to him. His deuotion is such, that eueryevery day while he fitteth in iudgement, a Bramene euer and anon soundeth the name of Aranganassa in his eares: and when one is wearie, another succeedeth in the same office, neuer ceasing this Idols remembrance, although he there fitteth fiue or fix houres.
I thought meete to mention one Custome yDis. of China pag 401.which some report of the Brama, or Pope-like Bramene in these parts, who by his authoritie dispenseth with many of their Lawes, and dis…olueth Marriages: giuing libertie at his pleasure to the women to marry an other; which his dispensation is sealed on her right shoulder, with a marke of a hote yron.
Chandagrin is the royall seate of the great King of Bisnagar zMelebin Cotig….The chiefe Families therein are the Bramenes, Raius, and Cretius. They affirme that their Idole Peri…all did bring forth the first out of his head (as the Poets tell of Minerua;) the second out of his breast; the third out of his belly: and all other inferiour Families out of his feete. The Bramenes hauehave some opinions, not altogether dissonant from the Scriptures. They say, that GOD onelyonly by his thought made a man, which they call Adam.
On the tenth day of Iuly Anno 1600. happened an Eclipse of the Sunne, which the Bramenes said was by meanes of the Dragon (which they make a celestiall signe) his biting of the Sunne and Moone: whereupon the King and others neither eate nor dranke that day; deploring their misery, because the Dragon deuoured the Sunne. In the City Prepeti, three miles from Chandegrin is the feast of Perimall, in remembrance of his marriage: at which the offerings amounted to two hundred thousand crownes: and the Charriot of the idoll was drawne forth a mile and halfe in Procession by tenne thousand men. They hauehave an other Feast of the Kine, because they suppose Perimal to be the sonne of a Cowe, and then the wayes and streetes are full bSiman …of that cattell. They hauehave a feast in honour of the Sunne, which lasteth eight dayes, solemnized by the Emperour himselfe, and he is iudged a traitour which is not present thereat. Then they castlots, the King first, and after the rest, diuining by arrowes the next yeares destinie. If an arrow light on a tree, and being plucked out causeth a red liquor to follow, it prognosticateth warres; if white, peace. Not farre hence is an Idoll called Tripiti, to which are great Pilgrimages and Offerings; alwayes as they goe, some beginne, and the rest answere, and so all continue to resound the name of the Idoll Goia. Before they enter into the Temple, they shaue and wash themselues. They hauehave Heremites which they call Sanasses, who liue in deserts, and at some times appeare before the people naked. They hauehave others which they call Gurupi, learned Priests, (as it were a degree of Doctors) which beare a great port, and neuer goe forth on foote. The Idoll Tripiti is seated on a mountaine, about which are fertile valleys; stored with fruits, which none may touch, as being consecrated. There are in the woods great abundance of Apes, so tame, that they will take meat out of mens hands: the people esteeme them a diuine race, and of the familiaritie of Perimal the chiefe God, whom they worship in many colours and shapes, as of a man, oxe, horse, lion, hogge, ducke, cocke, &c.
As Veiga bEm.de Veiga.and Ricius; two Iesuites, trauelled to Chaudegrin, they came to Travilur, where they sawe their Idoll, with a white banner on his backe, and after him three sacred kine, with Drummers on their backes, and after them Trumpetters and many Musicians of other sorts. Then followed thirrie women dauncing, which were also consecrated to the Idolles seruice, and might not marry, but vet prostitute their bodies: these were richly attired, and carried Lights. The Priests followed with the Idoll, and were followed by the people with Lights. At their returne they set downe the Idoll, and set sodden rice before him to eate; others meane while driuing away the flies; and others couering him that hee should not be seene eating: and at last, one maketh a long Oration of the worthy acts of their God, and then set him againe in his place. This lasted foure houres; and in the mean space many reasoned with the Iesuites, and some held vaine Discourses of the Creation: as, that there were seuen Seas; one of salt-water, the second of fresh, the third of honey, the fourth of milke, the fift of Tair (which is creame beginning to sowre) the sixt of sugar, the seuenth of butter: that the Earth had nine corners, whereby it was borne vp by the Heauen. Others dissented, and said, that the Earth was borne vp by seuen Elephants; the Elephants feete stood on Tortoises, and they were borne by they knew not what.
When the Naicho of Tangaor cMel…h. Cotig.died, three hundred of his Concubines willingly offered themselues to the fire, to honour his funerall; so much can Custome harden so delicate and soft-hearted a nature.
The Temples dGi.Rot.Bin.in this Countrey hauehave great reuenues, which in some places are encreased by the deuotion of women, which prostitute themselues to gaine for their Idoles: and many yong girles are brought vp for this purpose. Many are here in these parts, of the Sect of the Guzzarats, which kill no quicke thing, as is spoken eOs…r.lib.4.Some hauehave a stone hanging about their neckes, as big as an egge, with certaine lines drawn through the middle thereof; and this they worship, and call it Tambarane: they keep eueryevery Friday holiday.
The kingdom of Orissa hath on the sea-coast three hundred and fifty miles, betwixt the richer kingdoms of Bengala and Bisnagar, poore of ports and traffike. Raman fMagin.is the royall city; from whence the riuer Ganga passeth, and at his fall into the Sea ioyneth his waters with those of Ganges. The Inhabitants (except a few Moores) are Gentiles, little or nothing (that I can learne) differing in rites from their neighbours, of which yee hauehave heard. Some gSummario di.pop.orient.ascribe to the Citie Orissa, as the name, so the principalitie of the other Cities of this kingdome.
One thing I thought not to omit: That there be hLinscbot.c.15.whole Villages and kindreds of people, in other things like to other men, but are borne with one of their legges and one foot from the knee downewards, as thicke as an Elephants legge; which the common people imagine to be a curse by Diuine iustice, inflicted vponupon the whole Generation, for that their Progenitours murthered Saint Thomas. Linschoten saith, he hath seene and spoken with them, and could learne no other cause thereof. It is to them a deformitie, but no let or impediment otherwise.
And thus hauehave we finished our perambulation of the Continent of Asia. Now let vsus ship our selues ouer (for we are not skilful of Hanimants leapes) vntounto the Ilands: hauing first feasted you with the fruits and other rarities of Nature in Indie.