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In Malabar he is said to have divided the four original castes into seventy-two, or eighteen sub-divisions each, and to haxe assigned them their respective rites and duties. Notwithstandig this, he seems to have met with particular disrespect either on account of his opinions, origin, or his wandering life. On his return home, on one occasion, his mother died, and he had to perform the funeral rites, for which his relations refused to supply him with fire, and at which all the Brahmans declined to assist. SANKARA then produced fire from his arm, and burnt the corpse in the court yard of the house, denouncing imprecations on the country to the effect, that the Brahmans there should not study the Vedas, that religious mendicants should never obtain alms, and that the dead should always be burned close to the houses in which they had resided-a custom which is said to have survived him.
All accounts concur in representing SANKARA as leading an erratic life, and engaging in successful controversy with various sects, whether of the Saiva, Vaishnava, or less orthodox persuasions. In the course of his peregrinations he established several Maths, or convents, under the presidence of his disciples, particularly one still flourishing at Sringeri, or Sringagiri, on the western Ghats, near the sources of the Tungabhadrá. Towards the close of his life he repaired as far as to Kashmir, and seated himself, after triumphing over various opponents, on the throne of SARASVATI. He next went to Badarikáśrama, and finally to Kedárnáth, in
OF THE HINDUS.
