Chapter 2
People: Customs, Traditions etc.
Even these days among low caste people and educated upper caste people, blind faith in mantras, tantras and Abhicara is widespread.
In Indian Antiquiry of 1876, the late Mr. Walhouse (sp?) has written thus:
"Let us take in to account the fact that Malabar is a land where Mantrika
Vidya and Abhicara prospered well. The strongest Bhutas, Pretas and Pisacas
dwell here."
"The mantra procedures adopted to exorcise possession and to prevent future disturbances by Pretas are prolonged and sometimes very complex ones. The narrative regarding this, given below, is obtained from a believable source."
"There are two customs called Tholuzhiyuka and Baliyuzhiyuka ..."
" ... Then ons should recite that particular portion from Bharata story that describes the hardships experienced by the sons of Pandu as a result of Abhicara performed by Kauravas... At the end of each sloka, the erinji-nucci leaves (used to perform uzhiyal should be mixed with salt, pepper, mustard seed and ellu and the mixture should be burnt in the fire fit made from the wood of Pilavu. In this way, once the four slokas in the Mahabharata story portion are recited, amidst the recitals of mantras, the pujari (who performs the karmas) turns over the pots containing pandi and gurusi (crimson colored water prepared using lime and turmeric)."