collyrium stick// Guru Gita vs. 34

[John Gardner]

system has gottent disconnected mid-typing, so the syntax and format 
is quite erratic.  it seems the spirituaal level of protection might 
be somehow referred to in the passage noted.  the stick is less omonly 
used today.  some say the color around the eye is to prevent envy.  
raising interesting questions re. the last entry . . .

follows: a report from gujarat:

when placed on children's eyes, western doctors advised south asian 
mothers not to do it.  the idea, in gujarati, is najar ni lag- meaning 
soemthing like people not catching sight of it- it being the person.  
that person wearing it seeks to ward of evil eye of onlooker who may find 
them interesting.   when put on child, done casually by mothers' fingers- 
to ward off evil eye so child won't get sick.  when done the stic