DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2375#0089
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A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER inferiors
XV.
Feb. 6.
Feb. 7-
Appearance
of (.he coun-
try.
The Sannyasis never shave, but pull out all their hair by
the roots. They never wear a turban, and are allowed to eat and
drink but once a day. In fact, they arc very abstemious; and the
old Sxvami, who, from his infirmities, expected daily to become a
god, mortified the flesh exceedingly. The Gurus have the power
of fining all their followers who cheat or lie, or who commit murder
and adultery. The fines are given to the gods, that is, to his priest
(Pujdri). These Gurus excommunicate all those who eat animal
food, or fornicate with persons that are not Jain; which, of course,
are looked upon as greater crimes than those which are only pu-
nished by fine. The married Brdhmans act as Pujdris for the gods,
and as Purohitas for the inferior casts. The follower may choose
for his Purbhita any Brahman that he pleases. The Brahman re-
ceives Dha?ia, and on this occasion reads prayers (Mantrams); as
he does also at the marriages, funerals, and commemorations of the
deceased ancestors of his followers.
The Jain extend throughout India; but at present, except in
Tulava, they are not any where numerous. They allege, that formerly
they extended over the whole of Arya or Bharata-khanda; and that
all those who ever had any just pretensions to be of Kshatri descent,
were of their sect. It, no doubt, appears clear, that, until the time
of Rama Anuja Acharya many powerful princes in the south of
India were their followers. They say, that formerly they were very
numerous in Arabia; but that about 2500 years ago a terrible persecu-
tion took place at Mecca, by order of a king named Parsua Battdrakai
which forced great numbers to come to this country. Their ideas of
history and chronology, however, as usual with Brdhmans, are so
very confused, that they suppose Parsua Battaraka to have been
the founder of the Mussulman faith. None of them have the
smallest trace of the Arabian features, but are in every respect
complete Hindus.
7th February.—I went three cosses to Carculla. The first part of the
road led through a tolerably level country; but, as usual, nothing more
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
CHAPTER inferiors
XV.
Feb. 6.
Feb. 7-
Appearance
of (.he coun-
try.
The Sannyasis never shave, but pull out all their hair by
the roots. They never wear a turban, and are allowed to eat and
drink but once a day. In fact, they arc very abstemious; and the
old Sxvami, who, from his infirmities, expected daily to become a
god, mortified the flesh exceedingly. The Gurus have the power
of fining all their followers who cheat or lie, or who commit murder
and adultery. The fines are given to the gods, that is, to his priest
(Pujdri). These Gurus excommunicate all those who eat animal
food, or fornicate with persons that are not Jain; which, of course,
are looked upon as greater crimes than those which are only pu-
nished by fine. The married Brdhmans act as Pujdris for the gods,
and as Purohitas for the inferior casts. The follower may choose
for his Purbhita any Brahman that he pleases. The Brahman re-
ceives Dha?ia, and on this occasion reads prayers (Mantrams); as
he does also at the marriages, funerals, and commemorations of the
deceased ancestors of his followers.
The Jain extend throughout India; but at present, except in
Tulava, they are not any where numerous. They allege, that formerly
they extended over the whole of Arya or Bharata-khanda; and that
all those who ever had any just pretensions to be of Kshatri descent,
were of their sect. It, no doubt, appears clear, that, until the time
of Rama Anuja Acharya many powerful princes in the south of
India were their followers. They say, that formerly they were very
numerous in Arabia; but that about 2500 years ago a terrible persecu-
tion took place at Mecca, by order of a king named Parsua Battdrakai
which forced great numbers to come to this country. Their ideas of
history and chronology, however, as usual with Brdhmans, are so
very confused, that they suppose Parsua Battaraka to have been
the founder of the Mussulman faith. None of them have the
smallest trace of the Arabian features, but are in every respect
complete Hindus.
7th February.—I went three cosses to Carculla. The first part of the
road led through a tolerably level country; but, as usual, nothing more