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RELIGIOUS SECTS
these are also regarded as Sannyásís, and where the term is used in a definite sense, these twelve kinds, the Dandís, Brahmachárís, and ten Daśnámí orders are implied. In general, however, the term, as well as Avadhútu, or Avdhauta, and Alaklınómi, express all the Saiva classes of mendicants, except perhaps the Jogis.
NÁGAS.
The Saiva Sannyásís who go naked are distinguished by this term. They smear their bodies with ashes, allow their hair, beards, and whiskers to grow, and wear the projecting braid of hair, called the Jatá; like the Vairagi Nagas, they carry arms, and wander about in troops, soliciting alms, or levying contributions. The Saiva Nágas are cliefly the refuse of the Danili and Atit orders, or men who have no inclination for a life of study or business: when weary of the vagrant and violent habits of the Naga, they re-enter the better disposed classes, which they had first quitted. The Saiva Nágas are very numerous in many parts of India, though less so in the Company's provinces than in any other: they were formerly in great numbers in Bundelkhand', and HIMMET
? A party of them attacked Colonel GODDARD's troops in their march between Doraral and Herapur, the assailants were no more than four or five hundred, but about two thousand hovered about the rear of the army: they are called Panlarams in the narrative, but were evidently Saira Mágas. PENNANT'S Hindustan, 2, 192. The Vindicator of the Hindus, speaking of
