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RELIGIOUS SECTS
SANÁTAN, JIVA, RAGHUNÁTH Bhat'í, RAGHUNÁTH Dás, and Gopál BHAÍS. RÚPA and SANATAN'were brothers in the employ of the Mohammedan governor of Bengal, and were hence regarded as little better than Mechhas, or outcasts, themselves: the sanctity of CHAITANYA'S life and doctrine induced them to become his followers, and as it was a part of his system to admit all castes, even Musalmans, amongst his disciples, they were immediately enlisted in a cause, of which they became the first ornaments and supports: they were men of learning, and were very indefatigable writers, as we shall hereafter see, and the foundation of two temples at Brindávan, the most respectable reliques of the Hindu faith existing in upper Hindustan, is ascribed to their influence and celebrity”. JIVA was the nephew
From the indistinct manner in which they are conjointly described in the Bhakta Mülá it might be thought that Rúpa Sanútana was but a single individual, but, in one passage, the work indicates their being two brothers, conformably to the Charitámrita, and the tradition in general currency. [Price's Hindee and Hindust. Selections I, p. 132.]
2 The temples of Govind Deva and Madanmohan, both in ruins; a Sanskrit inscription in the former, however, attributing it to Min Sini Deva, a descendant of Pktuu Rio, is dated Samvat 1617, or A. D. 1591. Besides the authority of KRISHNA Dís for these two brothers being cotemporary with CHAITANYA, who died in 1527, I have a copy of the Vidagdha Madhava, of which RÚPA is the author, dated 1525; it is not therefore likely, that SANATAN actually founded the temple of Govind Deva, although he may have been instrumental to its being undertaken. The interior of this temple is far superior to any of the religious structures to be met with along the Ganges and Jamna, and may almost be
