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RELIGIOUS SECTS
vating operation of an Indian climate so plentifully engender.
KIÁKİS.
This division of the Vaishnavas is generally derived, though not immediately, from Rámánand, and is undoubtedly connected in its polity, and practice, with his peculiar followers. The reputed founder is Kil, the disciple of KRISHĽADÁS, whom some accounts make the disciple of ÁśÁNANT, the disciple of RÁMÁNANT, but the history of the Kháki sect is not well knowil, and it seems to be of modern origin, as no notice of it occurs in the Bhakta Málú, or in any other work that has been consulted: the sectaries, though believed to be rather numerous, appear to be either confined to a few particular districts, or to lead wholly an erratic life, in which latter character they are confounded with the class of Vairugís: as no written accounts have been procured, and the opportunities of obtaining oral information have been rare and imperfect, a very brief notice of this sect is all that can here be offered.
The Khükis, as the name implies, are distinguished from the other Vaishnuvas, by the application of clay and ashes to their dress or persons: those who reside in fixed establishments generally dress like other Vaishnavas, but those who lead a wandering life go either naked or nearly so, smearing their bodies with the pale grey mixture of ashes and earth, and making, in this state, an appearance very incompatible with
