Buchanan, Francis: A Journey from Madras through the countries of Mysore, Canara and Malabar ... (Band 1) (London, 1807)

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A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH



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CHAPTER follow them as disciples. A Brahman of this kind is called a Sannyasi,
and must be a man of learning, that is to say, must be able to read
Sa7tscrit, and be acquainted with the dogmas of his particular sect
The number of Brahman Sannydsis is very small, and is chiefly con-
fined to those, who are Gurus, Swamalus, or bishops of the different
sects, and who, in every thing relating to religion and cast, have a
jurisdiction over all their inferiors. They also perform certain
ceremonies, such as Upadesa, and Chicranticum, which may be con-
sidered as analogous to the Confirmation granted by our prelates.
They are supported entirely by the contributions of their disciples;
but these are so burthensome, that a Guru seldom continues long
in one place ; for the contributions even of Madras are not equal to
supply the wants of a Swamalu for more than one or two months.
A hundred Pagodas a day, £36. 15. 5. is as little, as can be decently
offered to such a personage. The Raja of Tanjore is said to give
his Guru 250 Pagodas a day (^91. 18. 6^.), when that personage
honours him with a visit. The Gurus travel in great state, with
elephants, horses, Palankeens, and an immense train of disciples, the
least of whom considers himself as highly elevated above mankind
by his sanctity. They generally travel at night, in order to avoid
their Mussulman or European conquerors, who would not show
them that veneration, or rather adoration, to which they consider
themselves entitled ; and they have therefore been seldom seen by
travellers. On the approach of a Guru to any place, every inhabi-
tant of pure birth must go to meet him ; the lower classes are not
admitted to his presence. The Guru, on being conducted to the
principal temple, bestows UpadSsa, or Chicranticum, on such as have
not received these ceremonies, and distributes holy water. He
then inquires into matters of contention, or transgressions against
the rules of cast; and having settled, or punished these, hears his
disciples and other learned men dispute on theological subjects.
This is the grand field for acquiring reputation among the Brdh-
mans. These disputations are said to be very similar to those, which