INDIAN CLASSES. 65 



At the period when thefe priefts were invited by the 

 king of Gaura, fome Sarefwata Brdhmanas, and a 

 few Vaidicas, refided in Bengal. Of the Brdhmanas of 

 Sarefwata none are now found in Bengal; but five fa- 

 milies of Vaidicas are extant, and are admitted to in- 

 termarry with the Brdhmanas of Rdrd. 



Among the Brdhmanas of Vdrendra, eight families 

 have pre-eminence, and eight hold the fecond rank.* 

 Among thofe of Rdrd, fix hold the firft rank.f The 

 diftinclive appellations of the feveral families are borne 

 by thofe of the firft rank; but in mod of the other fa- 

 milies they are difufed; and Servian, or Serma, the ad- 

 dition common to the whole tribe of Brdhmanas, is af- 

 fumed. For this practice, the priefts of Bengal are cen- 

 fured by the Brdhmanas of Mifhild, and other coun- 

 tries, where that title is only ufed on important occa- 

 fions, and in religious ceremonies. 



Vol. V. E In 



* Va'ri'ndra Bra'hmanas. 

 Culi'na 8. 



Moitra. Bhiviiy Rudra-Vdgifi. Sanyamini^ 



or or 



Call, Sandy at. 



LdharL Bhaduri. Sadhu-Vdgifi. Bhadara. 



The lafl was admitted by the election of the other feven. 



Sudha Sro'tri' 8. 



Cashta Sro'tri' 84. 



The names of thefe families feldom occur in common inter- 



courfe. 



tRa'ri'ya Bra'hmanas. 



Culi'na 6. 



Muchuti, Ganguli. Cdnjdala. 



Vulgarly Muc'kcrja. 



Ghojhdla. Bandyagati, Chat'ati. 



Vulgarly, Banoji. Vulgarly, Chat of i\ 



Sro'tri' 50. 

 The names of thefe families feldom occur in common inter- 



courfe. 



