DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2374#0437
■■■■I
m
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
425
Dec. 15.
dispose of the government; but his power was confined to the per- CHAPTER
formance of a ceremony called Putdpayshdciim, which is somewhat
analogous to the anointing that our kings use. On this occasion,
the Tamburacul and his Namburis received much Dana, and other
charities; but they had no authority to reject the next heir. All
the Rajas, except the Velat family, had, for many generations before
the conquest, given up the ceremony of Putapayshacum. The Raja's
possessed no authority to punish any Namburi, farther than, in case
of some very atrocious crime, to banish him from their dominions.
The Namburis were subject to the jurisdiction of the Alvangheri,
who in his judgments was always assisted by a council of learned
men, and guided by the Hindu law. The book that they consult
on this.subject is the Asocha Prayaschittum, composed hyVeda Vydsa,
one of the gods, who assumed the form of a Rishi, and was also the
author of the eighteen Purdnas. The laws of Menu seem to be
totally unknown to the Na?nburis, who all pretend to be Vaidikas,
nor do any of them follow lay professions, Few of them, however,
are men of learning. The only book on astronomical subjects that
those here could mention was the Jotis Sdstram, which, from their
account, is a work on astrology. They will neither eat nor drink
with the Brdhmans of other countries, whom they call Puttar, and
whom they consider as very inferior to themselves in dignity. The
others are equally proud ; and these allege, that Sanhara Achdrya,
in consequence of their disobedience, cursed the Namburis, and
degraded them below the faithful Brdhmans, who adhered to his
council. The Namburis, like other Brdhmans, marry, and live with
their wives, of whom they take as many as they are able to support.
A Namburi,s children are also considered as his heirs. They do not
lose cast on account of fornication with a Sudra woman; and in-
deed, in order to prevent themselves from losing dignity by becom-
ing too numerous, the younger sons of a Namburi family seldom
marry. They live with the elder brother, and assist the ladies of
the Rajas, and of the Na'ws of distinction, to keep up their families;
r'
Vol. II.
31
m
MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR.
425
Dec. 15.
dispose of the government; but his power was confined to the per- CHAPTER
formance of a ceremony called Putdpayshdciim, which is somewhat
analogous to the anointing that our kings use. On this occasion,
the Tamburacul and his Namburis received much Dana, and other
charities; but they had no authority to reject the next heir. All
the Rajas, except the Velat family, had, for many generations before
the conquest, given up the ceremony of Putapayshacum. The Raja's
possessed no authority to punish any Namburi, farther than, in case
of some very atrocious crime, to banish him from their dominions.
The Namburis were subject to the jurisdiction of the Alvangheri,
who in his judgments was always assisted by a council of learned
men, and guided by the Hindu law. The book that they consult
on this.subject is the Asocha Prayaschittum, composed hyVeda Vydsa,
one of the gods, who assumed the form of a Rishi, and was also the
author of the eighteen Purdnas. The laws of Menu seem to be
totally unknown to the Na?nburis, who all pretend to be Vaidikas,
nor do any of them follow lay professions, Few of them, however,
are men of learning. The only book on astronomical subjects that
those here could mention was the Jotis Sdstram, which, from their
account, is a work on astrology. They will neither eat nor drink
with the Brdhmans of other countries, whom they call Puttar, and
whom they consider as very inferior to themselves in dignity. The
others are equally proud ; and these allege, that Sanhara Achdrya,
in consequence of their disobedience, cursed the Namburis, and
degraded them below the faithful Brdhmans, who adhered to his
council. The Namburis, like other Brdhmans, marry, and live with
their wives, of whom they take as many as they are able to support.
A Namburi,s children are also considered as his heirs. They do not
lose cast on account of fornication with a Sudra woman; and in-
deed, in order to prevent themselves from losing dignity by becom-
ing too numerous, the younger sons of a Namburi family seldom
marry. They live with the elder brother, and assist the ladies of
the Rajas, and of the Na'ws of distinction, to keep up their families;
r'
Vol. II.
31