s. f. (M.), ) lit. A little protectress from Rakhan to keep or guard) A protecting amulet. The authorities of Muhammadan shrines sell to pilgrims scraps of paper, with the name of God or a text written on them, which are inserted in wooden lockets and tied round the necks of cattle to protect them from harm. Skeins of cotton or woollen threads are similarly sold at shrines and worn by pilgrims round the neck. Hindus also buy skeins of the thread from Brahmans and wear them round the wrists.