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RELIGIOUS SECTS
take, in the Madhwa temples, of the worship offered to VISHŇU. The votaries of the Madhwa Gurus, and of the Sankaráchári Gosáins, offer the Namaskár, or reverential obeisance, to their teachers mutually, and the Sringeri Mahant visits Udipi, to perform his adorations at the shrine of KKISHŇA. It is evident, therefore, that there is an affinity between these orders, which does not exist between the Saivas and Vaishnavas generally, who are regarded by the Madhwas, even without excepting the Rámánujas, as Páshandís, or heretics, whether they profess the adoration of VISHŃU or of Śiva.
SANAKÁDI SAMPRADÁYÍS, or NÍMÁVATS. This division of the Vaishnava faith is one of the four primary ones, and appears to be of considerable antiquity: it is one also of some popularity and extent, although it seems to possess but few characteristic peculiarities beyond the name of the founder, and the sectarial mark.
NIMBÁDITYA is said to have been a Vaishnava ascetic, originally named Bháskara Achárya, and to have been, in fact, an incarnation of the sun for the suppression of the heretical doctrines then prevalent: he lived near Brindávan, where he was visited by a Dandi, or, according to other accounts, by a Jaina ascetic, or Jati, whom he engaged in controversial discussion till sunset: he then offered his visitant some refreshment, which the practice of either mendicant renders unlawful after dark, and which the guest was,
