History of the Parsis : including their manners, customs, religion and present position : with coloured and other illustrations : in two volumes

160 HISTORY OF THE PARSIS. [CHAP. Iv.

We should mention that as soon as a woman is seized with the pains of labour a correctly-set watch or clock is assigned to the care of a member of the family, whose duty it is to note down the exact time, even to a second, when the child comes into the world. If all goes on well, the fifth day after this interesting event is one of rejoicing in the family, and a large ‘“bhona” (meal consisting of various choice viands) is sent by the parents of the girl to her husband’s family. On the night of the sixth day a curious practice obtains founded on superstition. Near the girl’s bed is placed a tray contaiing a sheet of blank paper, ink, pen, a cocoa-nut, and red powder, for the intended service of the goddess who presides over the destiny of the child, and who is supposed to determine its good luck. It is a common notion that the child’s destiny is fixed on the sixth night from the day of birth. On the followmeg morning, when the paper is scrutinised, of course no writing is visible as to the child’s fate; but the anxious parents console themselves with the happy idea that the writing is invisible, and that the “book of fate is sealed.” A few days subsequently suits of clothes for the child and its mother, a few silver toys, a silk handkerchief, betel-nut and leaves, cardamoms, cloves, nutmegs, ete., are sent for them by the mother-in-law. On the same day, or as soon after as convenient, a “joshi”

or astrologer, who is either a Parsi or a Hindu