DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2374#0152
144 A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER labourers, with a few shop-keepers and artificers. They are very
VIIL poor, having been completely plundered by the Lumbadies, a kind
Sept. 22. of traders in grain, that followed General Harris.
Car'Ragy. The chief cultivation here is Car' Ragy, although the people al-
lege that the rains do not begin earlier here than at Seringapatam ;
but in this, I imagine, they must be mistaken.
Shiva-lac- Most of the cultivators in the Mysore district wear the Linga.
Acliirvas lV ^ these the Siv' Achdrya JVoculigas pretend to a much higher dig-
nity than the others; and say, that only they and the Pancham
Banijigas can be admitted to the order of priesthood. They are a
tribe of pure Karndta descent. They act as officers of government,
as messengers, traders, farmers, and farmers servants. Disputes
being settled by the Gauda, or chief of the village, and their Gurus
taking cognizance of all transgressions against the rules of cast,
they have no hereditary chiefs. The chief Guru, Swamalu, or
throne (Singhdsana), appoints an inferior Guru to a certain number
of families. This person is a married Jangama, and attends at births
and marriages, and takes cognizance of all transgressions. For less
important ceremonies, such as bestowing the Linga and UpadSsa,
any Jangama suffices. On all these occasions the Jangama reads
Mantrams in the vulgar language. At their marriages, and when
Dhana. he receives their Dhafia, which is charity given in order to procure
an absolution from sin, the Panclidnga, or village astrologer, reads
Mantrams in Sanskrit. The Jangamas cannot read the Mantrams
which are necessary for this purpose. The Brdhmans, indeed, pre-
tend that they are the only persons who have the power of taking
away the sins of men; and they say, that, however willing, they
cannot do it gratuitously; for the quantity of sin removed is exactly
in proportion to the Dhana, or sum of money given. The perform-
ance of this ceremony is therefore one of the most essential duties
of a Purohita. The Jangama Gurus attend the Sitf Achdryas at the
annual ceremony performed in honour of their deceased parents;
and, besides getting provisions at their visits, and certain dues for
CHAPTER labourers, with a few shop-keepers and artificers. They are very
VIIL poor, having been completely plundered by the Lumbadies, a kind
Sept. 22. of traders in grain, that followed General Harris.
Car'Ragy. The chief cultivation here is Car' Ragy, although the people al-
lege that the rains do not begin earlier here than at Seringapatam ;
but in this, I imagine, they must be mistaken.
Shiva-lac- Most of the cultivators in the Mysore district wear the Linga.
Acliirvas lV ^ these the Siv' Achdrya JVoculigas pretend to a much higher dig-
nity than the others; and say, that only they and the Pancham
Banijigas can be admitted to the order of priesthood. They are a
tribe of pure Karndta descent. They act as officers of government,
as messengers, traders, farmers, and farmers servants. Disputes
being settled by the Gauda, or chief of the village, and their Gurus
taking cognizance of all transgressions against the rules of cast,
they have no hereditary chiefs. The chief Guru, Swamalu, or
throne (Singhdsana), appoints an inferior Guru to a certain number
of families. This person is a married Jangama, and attends at births
and marriages, and takes cognizance of all transgressions. For less
important ceremonies, such as bestowing the Linga and UpadSsa,
any Jangama suffices. On all these occasions the Jangama reads
Mantrams in the vulgar language. At their marriages, and when
Dhana. he receives their Dhafia, which is charity given in order to procure
an absolution from sin, the Panclidnga, or village astrologer, reads
Mantrams in Sanskrit. The Jangamas cannot read the Mantrams
which are necessary for this purpose. The Brdhmans, indeed, pre-
tend that they are the only persons who have the power of taking
away the sins of men; and they say, that, however willing, they
cannot do it gratuitously; for the quantity of sin removed is exactly
in proportion to the Dhana, or sum of money given. The perform-
ance of this ceremony is therefore one of the most essential duties
of a Purohita. The Jangama Gurus attend the Sitf Achdryas at the
annual ceremony performed in honour of their deceased parents;
and, besides getting provisions at their visits, and certain dues for