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Patna, from their weight in the state, are at present admitted by the Brahmans to be orthodox (Astik). These two hetrodox sects worship the 24 Avatars, and perform other religious rites as usual, practices which are entirely condemned by the people called Duriyas, all of whom are said to consider themselves as having obtained divinity, and therefore as exempted from the worship of any god. This extravagance, however, has not been accompanied by the system of rejecting the advice of sages (Gurus), and therefore, although considered as heterodox (Nastik), they are thought less dangerous than the other two schisms, especially as their sages are ascetics of the most extravagant mortification, who wander about thoughtless of all worldly concerns, and covered with rags and nastiness. These fanatics have not yet penetrated so far towards the east, and the account above given is taken entirely from report.
JAIN JOURNAL
from the Survey of the District of Patna and Gaya in 1811-12, Vol. II. pages 392-399.
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