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OF THE HINDUS.
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classes of mendicants, thus descended from SANKARA ACHÁRya, have failed to retain their purity of character, and are only known by their epithets as members of the original order. There are but three, and part of a fourth mendicant class, or those called Tirtha or Indra, Israma, Sarasvati, and Bhárati, who are still regarded as really SANKARA's Dandis. These are sufficiently numerous, especially in and about Benares. They comprehend a variety of characters; but amongst the most respectable of them, are to be found very able expounders of the Vedanta works. Other branches of Sanskrit literature owe important obligations to this religious sect'. The most sturdy beggars are also members of this order, although their contributions are levied particularly upon the Brahmanical class, as, whenever a feast is given to the Brahmans, the Dandis of this description present themselves inbidden guests, and can only be got rid of by bestowing
speech; Párrata, a mountaineer; Ságara, an ocean; the names are always compounded with different terms. One of SANKARA'S disciples we have seen called ANANDA Giri. The famous MiDIAVA, when he became a Dandi, adopted the appellation of VIDYARAŃYA. PÚrangir has been elsewhere adverted to, and other like names occur in some of the following notes. Bhárati is the prevailing title of the latter Sringagiri Gurus.
SANKARA and MADIAVA are well known by their numerous and excellent works. Tke chief Vedanta writers, in like manner, were Dandís; and the author of the Dasakumára, RiMÁSRAMA, the Commentator on AMARA, and VIJNÁNEŠVARA, the Commentator on the texts of YAJNAVALKYA, were of the same class of ascetics,
