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RELIGIOUS SECTS
The Dandís, who are rather practical than speculative, and who have little pretence to the appellation beyond the epithet and outward signs of the order, are those most correctly included amongst the Saiva sects. Amongst these the worship of Siva, as BhalRAVA, is the prevailing form, and in that case part of the ceremony of initiation consists in inflicting a small incision on the inner part of the knee, and drawing the blood of the novice as an acceptable offering to the god. The Dandís of every description have also a peculiar mode of disposing of their dead, putting them into coffins and burying tliem; or, when practicable, committing them to some sacred stream. The reason of this is their being prohibited the use of fire on any account?
whom BuchANAN gives the following account: “The most numerous class here, and which comprehends abont one-half of all the Brahmans in the Lower Carnatic, is called the Smurta Sect, and its members are the followers of SANKIRA ÁCHÁRYA. They are commonly said to be of the sect of Sia, but they consider BRAUMÁ, Visuľu and IŠVARA to be the same as the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. They are readily distinguished by three horizontal stripes on the forehead, made with the ashes of cowlung” (Buch. 1, 13). "The Sannyasis are thie Gurus of this sect" (Ibid. 305); and the Dandis have great influence and authority amongst Saiva Brahmans of the North of India.
1 In the South, the ascetic followers of both Śwa and Visumu bury the dead (DUBOIS, 56); so do the l'aishnava l'airágís and Sannyúsis in the North of India, and the Saiva Jogis. The class of Hindu weavers called Yoyis, have adopted a similar practice (WARD 1, 201); all the casts in the South, that wear the Linga, do the same (Bucu. 1, 27).
