Excerpt from Yakkun Nattannawa: A Cingalese Poem, Descriptive of the Ceylon System of Demonology; To Which Is Appended, the Practices of a Capua or Devil Priest, as Described by a Budhist; And Kolan Nattannawa; A Cingalese Poem, Descriptive of the Characters Assumed by Natives of Ceylon
The Yakkun Nattannawa was translated by way of ascertaining the sentiments and usages of the Cingalese in their system of demonology; and is submitted to the public in order to promote correct views on the subject, and to stimulate to missionary exertion. The Translator gratefully acknowledges the liberality of the Oriental Translation Committee, to whom this and the following poem were presented as an expression of interest in their proceedings, and under whose auspices they now appear.
Prevalent as devil-worship is among Brahminists and Budhists, it should be distinguished from planet-worship and masquerades. The ceremonies and songs relating to the former lire contained in a large volume, in which directions are given for worshipping the planets, the Zodiac and five thousand five hundred stars. That system pretends to avert the influence of the planets as indicated by astrology; and is called Bali Arinnawa. They are represented by figures in relievo, mostly in the human form, wrought in a striking manner on a screen of. split bamboo ten or twelve feet square