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

CHAP. IV.] THE JOSHI. 161

Brahman, is invited to the house to cast the nativity of the child. When he arrives there he takes his seat on a carpet which is spread out for him, and tries his best to put on the appearance of a sage to whom the book of futurity is not sealed. ven the little ones yet at school gather round the “joshi” out of curiosity and feel much inclined to titter at all this fuss. They are only prevented from doing so by the watchful eyes of their grand-dames who stand in superstitious awe of the “joshi.” The astrologer begins his work by gravely asking the oldest lady the exact time the child was born. She has probably forgotten the time because her mind has been distracted by the unruly youngsters around her. She therefore orders them to go out, and then asks one of her female companions for the information required. The paper on which the day, hour, minutes, and seconds were noted is produced. ‘The “joshi” then takes a piece of chalk from his turban and with it draws a number of figures on a wooden board which is set before him. His dexterity in counting and recounting the stars under whose region or influence the child is born is sreatly admired by the superstitious creatures around him. All the relatives of the child, especially the female portion, press forward to hear the “joshi” predict the future life and prospects of the baby. He first gives out the names the child can bear according to its affinity to the stars under whose VOL. I. M