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OF THE HINDUS.
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times amongst the most ignorant portions of the community, they are not often met with: they go naked, and to mark their triumph over sensual desires, affix an iron ring and chain on the male organ': they are professedly worshippers of SivA.
SANNYÁSÍS, BRAHMACHÁRIS, and AVADHÚTAS.
Although the terms Sannyási and Vairágí are, in a great measure, restricted amongst the Vaishnavas to peculiar classes, the same limit can scarcely be adopted with regard to the Saivas. All the sects, except the Samyogi Atits, are so far Sannyásí, or excluded from the world, as not to admit of married teachers, a circumstance far from uncommon, as we have seen amongst the more refined followers of VISHNU. Most of the Saiva sects, indeed, are of a very inferior description to those of the Vaishnavas.
Besides the individuals who adopt the Danda Grahańa, and are unconnected with the Daśnámis, there is a set of devotees who remain through life members of the condition of the Brahmachárí, or student?:
These asceties were the persons who attracted the notice of the earlier travellers, especially BERNIER and TAVERNIER. They were more numerous then, probably, than they are at present, and this appears to be the case with most of the mendicants who practiced on the superstitious admiration of the vulgar.
? The Dirghakula Brahmacharyam. or protracted period of studentship, is however amongst the acts enumerated in various authorities of indisputable character, as those which are prohibited in the Kali age.
