demons of mighty prowess, who are the attendants of the gods Pashupati, Kuvera and Kumara, roam about in quest of prey, and visit the bedside of an ulcer-patient out of their fondness for flesh and blood, being attracted thereto by the smell of the secreted and morbid matter in the ulcer. These evil spirits come to take away the life of a patient in a case which is doomed to terminate fatally, while in a successful case their advent is due to the desire of extorting sacrificial oblations from him.
Authoritative verse on the subject:—These honour-seeking evil spirits should be worshipped and propitiated with the whole heart; and offerings of burning incense sticks, edibles and sacrifices, etc. should be made to them with the greatest humility.
The evil spirits, worshipped and propitiated as above, spare the life of a self-controlled patient (out of compassion). Hence he shall be kept in a chamber furnished with flowers, garlands,weapons, fried paddy, and lamps kept continuously burning. His friends and relations should regale him with fond and loving topics to drive away the feeling of sleepiness with the prospect of a speedy cure.
Metrical Texts:—A patient, constantly cheered with the suggested prospects of a speedy
