DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0162
150 Vaishnavism. Svami-Narayana Sect.
own age, with a mild and diffident expression of countenance, but
nothing about him indicative of any extraordinary talent. He came
in somewhat different style from all I had expected, having with him
nearly two hundred horsemen. When I considered that I had myself
an escort of more than fifty horse I could not help smiling, though my
sensations were in some degree painful and humiliating at the idea of
two religious teachers meeting at the head of little armies, and filling
the city which was the scene of their interview with the rattling of
quivers, the clash of shields, and the tramp of the war-horse. Had our
troops been opposed to each other, mine, though less numerous, would
have been doubtless far more effective, from the superiority of arms and
discipline. But in moral grandeur what a difference was there between
his troop and mine! Mine neither knew me nor cared for me, though
they escorted me faithfully. The guards of Svami-Narayana were his
own disciples and enthusiastic admirers, men who had voluntarily
repaired to hear his lessons, who now took a pride in doing him honour,
and who would cheerfully fight to the last drop of blood rather than
suffer a fringe of his garment to be handled roughly. In my own parish
of Hodnet there were once, perhaps, a few honest countrymen who felt
something like this for me, but how long a time must elapse before
a Christian minister in India can hope to be thus loved and honoured!—
Chap. xxv.
It soon became clear to Sahajananda that the success of
his future operations would depend on the consolidation of
his party. He therefore retired with his followers to the
secluded village of Wartal, where he erected a temple to
Narayana (otherwise Krishna, or Vishnu, as the Supreme
Being) associated with the goddess Lakshml. It was from
this central locality that his crusade against the licentious
habits of the Vallabhacaryans was principally carried on.
His watchword seems to have been ' devotion to Krishna
(as the Supreme Being) with observance of duty and purity
of life.'
He was in the habit of making periodical tours in Gujarat,
like a bishop visiting his diocese. It was in one of these that
Svami-Narayana was struck down by fever' at Gadada. in
Kathiawar, where he died.
His disciples now number more than 300,000 persons.
They are broadly divided into two classes—Sadhus,' holy men,'
and Grihasthas, ' householders.' These correspond to clergy
own age, with a mild and diffident expression of countenance, but
nothing about him indicative of any extraordinary talent. He came
in somewhat different style from all I had expected, having with him
nearly two hundred horsemen. When I considered that I had myself
an escort of more than fifty horse I could not help smiling, though my
sensations were in some degree painful and humiliating at the idea of
two religious teachers meeting at the head of little armies, and filling
the city which was the scene of their interview with the rattling of
quivers, the clash of shields, and the tramp of the war-horse. Had our
troops been opposed to each other, mine, though less numerous, would
have been doubtless far more effective, from the superiority of arms and
discipline. But in moral grandeur what a difference was there between
his troop and mine! Mine neither knew me nor cared for me, though
they escorted me faithfully. The guards of Svami-Narayana were his
own disciples and enthusiastic admirers, men who had voluntarily
repaired to hear his lessons, who now took a pride in doing him honour,
and who would cheerfully fight to the last drop of blood rather than
suffer a fringe of his garment to be handled roughly. In my own parish
of Hodnet there were once, perhaps, a few honest countrymen who felt
something like this for me, but how long a time must elapse before
a Christian minister in India can hope to be thus loved and honoured!—
Chap. xxv.
It soon became clear to Sahajananda that the success of
his future operations would depend on the consolidation of
his party. He therefore retired with his followers to the
secluded village of Wartal, where he erected a temple to
Narayana (otherwise Krishna, or Vishnu, as the Supreme
Being) associated with the goddess Lakshml. It was from
this central locality that his crusade against the licentious
habits of the Vallabhacaryans was principally carried on.
His watchword seems to have been ' devotion to Krishna
(as the Supreme Being) with observance of duty and purity
of life.'
He was in the habit of making periodical tours in Gujarat,
like a bishop visiting his diocese. It was in one of these that
Svami-Narayana was struck down by fever' at Gadada. in
Kathiawar, where he died.
His disciples now number more than 300,000 persons.
They are broadly divided into two classes—Sadhus,' holy men,'
and Grihasthas, ' householders.' These correspond to clergy