Stories about Posts

List of Figures
List of Plates
Preface
Translators' Preface
Note on the Transcription of Indian Languages
List of Abbreviations
Introduction

PART ONE: Potu Raju
I. The Little Brother of the Goddesses of Andhra
A. Representations and Elements of Ritual
1. Representations
2. Festivals
B. Identification of the God
1. Mythical Elements
2. His Name
II. His Verdic Ancestors
A. The Sacrificial Post
1. Its Form
2. The Putting to Death of the Victim
B. The Sami and the Kindling Sticks
III. The Post for the Buffalo Sacrifice in Orissa
A. Local Conditions
B. Textual Givens
C. Ritual Facts
IV. Return to Potu Raju
A. In Search of an Installation Ritual: The Post-God of Kanakona
B. Attempt at Interpretation

PART TWO: The Symbol Splintered
I. Potta Raja
II. The Post
A. Draupadi with Two Posts
B. The Torture Post and Its Avatars in Tamilnadu
1. The Post-"Demon"
2. Mariyamman and the Impalement Stake
3. Mariyamman, Her Post-Husband, and Other Avatars
of the Buffalo in Kongunad
C. Madan and His Congeners
1. The Buffalo Sacrifice in Gangaikondam
2. The Madans
3. Karuppu, the Black One
III. The Sami
A. The Buffalo Sacrifice in Maduvettimangalam
B. The Fire: Demon, Torture, Funeral Pyre
1. The Demon Vanni
2. The Firewalk and the Goddess Paccai Amman
3. The Cremation Ground
C. The Samipuja
Conclusion
Appendix: Maps of Sites Visited
Glossary
Bibliography
Index