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OF TIIE HINDUS.
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himself from the interests and emotions of mankind. Viruktu, the dispassionate, and Avadhútu, the liberated, have a similar import, and are therefore equally susceptible of a general application: they are, indeed, so used in many cases, but it is more usual to attach a more precise sense to the terms, and to designate by them the mendicant Vaishhuras of the Ráminandi class, or its ramifications, as the disciples of KABIR, DÁDÚ, and others.
The ascetic order of the Rámánandi Vaishuravus is considered to have been instituted especially by the twelfth disciple of RÁMÁNAND), Sri ANAND: they profess perpetual poverty and continence, and subsist upon alms: the greater number of them are erratie, and observe no form of worship, but they are also residents in the Maths of their respective orders', and the spiritual guides of the worldly votaries: it is almost impossible, however, to give any general cha
The Rómánandi Vairagis, although indigenous in upper India, have established themselves in the Dekhan, as mentioned by BUCHANAN (Mysore, II, 76). The account he gives there of the Dakhini Vairagis is an excellent illustration of the confusion that prevails respecting the application of the term; as he has blended with the Románandi ascetics, who are aceurately entitled to the designation, a variety of religions vagrants, to some of whom the name is rarely, and to others never applied: as Paramahansas, Digambaras, or Vágas, Urddhabahus, and even Aghoris; the latter are not named, but they, or sinilar Sairu mendicants, are the only individuals who extort compassion by burning themselves with torches, and cutting themselves with swords.?
