DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2375#0104
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9±
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
Feb. 11.
CHAPTER temple, and as the others are generally absent, begging, the eight
have mutually appointed two persons to act as judges. These have
the power of excommunication, which implies the whole wealth of
the sect being at their mercy. They also levy fines, and cleanse
sinners by prayers (Mantrams), cow's urine, and other things
esteemed pure. The Gurus reserve to themselves the exclusive
right of bestowing Chakrdntikam and Upadesa. They never, at any
ceremony, read Mantrams, that office being reserved for the mar-
ried Brahmans ; and each man by hereditary right belongs to some
Brahman, who is his Purohita. The Sannyasis do not require a Pu-
rohita ; for they are considered as sufficiently holy to be exempted
from all the ceremonies and customs usually observed by Brahmans.
They do not wear the thread ; all meats become to them indifferent;
and they do not celebrate the ceremonies in honour of their de-
ceased parents. A Purohita may sell or mortgage the families that
belong to him, and may give them to a Brahman of any sect; for
the prayers (Mantrams) and portions of scripture (Sastrams) read
by any person of the sacred order, whatever his theological opinions
may be, are considered as equally efficacious. This does not pro-
ceed from any gentleness or facility of temper among the Brahmans,
who abound in the Odium theologicum. It is, however, between the
Madual and Sri Vaishnavam, although both are worshippers of Vishnu,
that the most violent antipathy prevails. The Smartal, although
followers of Siva, agree much better with the Madual; and, in
Tulava and Malay ala especially, these two live on tolerable terms.
In Tulava, indeed, it is not unusual for one temple to be common
to both gods ; and in most places there the temples of Vishnu and of
Siva are built near each other, and the same Rath, or chariot, serves
for the Jdtram, or procession, of both idols.
To the east of the Ghats, the Madual Brahmans scorn to serve as
Pujdris, even in the temples of Vishnu, and are the proudest of the
whole sacred order. This scorn, however, is perhaps affected; as
9±
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH
Feb. 11.
CHAPTER temple, and as the others are generally absent, begging, the eight
have mutually appointed two persons to act as judges. These have
the power of excommunication, which implies the whole wealth of
the sect being at their mercy. They also levy fines, and cleanse
sinners by prayers (Mantrams), cow's urine, and other things
esteemed pure. The Gurus reserve to themselves the exclusive
right of bestowing Chakrdntikam and Upadesa. They never, at any
ceremony, read Mantrams, that office being reserved for the mar-
ried Brahmans ; and each man by hereditary right belongs to some
Brahman, who is his Purohita. The Sannyasis do not require a Pu-
rohita ; for they are considered as sufficiently holy to be exempted
from all the ceremonies and customs usually observed by Brahmans.
They do not wear the thread ; all meats become to them indifferent;
and they do not celebrate the ceremonies in honour of their de-
ceased parents. A Purohita may sell or mortgage the families that
belong to him, and may give them to a Brahman of any sect; for
the prayers (Mantrams) and portions of scripture (Sastrams) read
by any person of the sacred order, whatever his theological opinions
may be, are considered as equally efficacious. This does not pro-
ceed from any gentleness or facility of temper among the Brahmans,
who abound in the Odium theologicum. It is, however, between the
Madual and Sri Vaishnavam, although both are worshippers of Vishnu,
that the most violent antipathy prevails. The Smartal, although
followers of Siva, agree much better with the Madual; and, in
Tulava and Malay ala especially, these two live on tolerable terms.
In Tulava, indeed, it is not unusual for one temple to be common
to both gods ; and in most places there the temples of Vishnu and of
Siva are built near each other, and the same Rath, or chariot, serves
for the Jdtram, or procession, of both idols.
To the east of the Ghats, the Madual Brahmans scorn to serve as
Pujdris, even in the temples of Vishnu, and are the proudest of the
whole sacred order. This scorn, however, is perhaps affected; as