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RELIGIOUS SECTS
in Bengal three classes of this sect, that may be regarded as seceders from the principal body; these are denominated Spashtha Dayakas, Kartá Bhájas and Sáhujas.
The Spashtha Dayakas are distinguished from perhaps every other Hindu sect in India by two singularities-denial of the divine character, and despotic authority of the Guru, and the, at least professedly, platonic association of male and female cœnobites in one conventual abode1.
The secular followers of this sect are, as usual, of every tribe, and of the Grihastha, or householder order: the teachers, both male and female, are Udásina, or mendicants and ascetics, and lead a life of celibacy: the sectarial marks are a shorter Tilaka than that used by the other Chaitanyas, and a single string of Tulasi beads worn close round the neck: the men often wear only the Kaupina, and a piece of cloth round the waist, like an apron, whilst the women shave their heads, with the exception of a single slender tress: those amongst them who are most rigid in their conduct, accept no invitations nor food from any but persons of their own sect.
The association of men and women is, according to their own assertions, restricted to a residence within the same inclosure, and leads to no other than such intercourse as becomes brethren and sisters, or than
Like the brethren and sisters of the free spirit, who were numerous in Europe in the 13th century. See MOSHEIM 3, 379,
