________________
194
RELIGIOUS SECTS
or mode of worship, but spends his time in meditation, or in practices corresponding with those of the Yoga, and in the study of the Vedanta works, especially according to the comments of SANKARÁCHÁRYA. As that teacher was an incarnation of Siva', the Dandis reverence that deity and his incarnations, in preference to the other members of the Triad, whence they are included amongst his votaries; and they so far aduit the distinction as not unfrequently to bear the Saiva mark upon the forehead, smearing it with the Tripuudra, a triple transverse line made with the Vibhuti, or ashes which should be taken from the fire of an Agnihotra Brúhman, or they may be the ashes of
“His hair, nails and beard being clipped, bearing with him a dish, a staff', and a water-pot, let him wander about continually without giving pain to any being." VI, 52.
"Only once a day let him demand food, let him not habituate himself to eat much at a time, for an anchorite habituated to eat much becomes inclined to sensual gratification." 55.
"At the time when the smoke of kitchen fires has ceased, when the pestle lies motionless, when the burning charcoal is extinguished, when people have eaten and when dishes are removed, that is, late in the day, let the Sannyasi always beg food.” 56.
“For missing it let him not be sorrowful, nor for gaining it let him be glad, let him care only for a sufficiency to support life, but let him not be anxious about his utensils." 57.
This character is given to him in the Sankara Tijaya of MÁDIAVA ACHÁRYA; his followers in the Dekhan assert that Śiva's descent as SANKARA was foretold in the Skanda Purana: a prophecy which, if found in that work, will assist to fix its date; but the passage has not been met with.
