280 ACCOUNT or 



The A'rhatas reject the Vedas and eighteen Pura- 

 nas of the other Brahmens, as heretical. They say, 

 that these books were composed by a Rishi named 

 Vya'sa, whom the other Brdhmens consider as an 

 incarnation of the deity. The chief book, of which 

 the doctrine is followed by the A'rhatas, is named 

 Yoga. It is written in the Sanscrit language, and 

 character o? Carnata ; and is explained by twenty- 

 four PiirdnaSy all written by its author, who was 

 named Vrj(shabha Sayana, a Riski, who had ob- 

 tained a knowledge of divine things, by long con- 

 tinued prayer. They admit, that all Brdhmens are 

 by birth of equal rank; and are willing to show their 

 books to the Brdhmens who herctically follow the 

 doctrine of the VSdas ; but they will not allow 

 any of the lower classes to look upon their sacred 

 writings. 



The gods of the A'rhatas are the spirits of perfect 

 men ; who, owing to their great virtue, have become 

 exempt from all change and misfortune; and are all 

 of equal rank and power. They are called collec- 

 tively by various titles, such as Jineswara, A'rhat^ 

 and Sidd'ha ; but each is called by a particular name, 

 or names ; for manv of them have above a thousand 

 appellations. These Sidd'has reside in a heaven, 

 called Mdcsha; and it is by their worship only, that 

 future happiness can be obtained. The first person, 

 who by his virtue arrived at this elevated station, 

 was A'DiPARAME'swARA ; and by worshipping hiin, 

 the favour of all the Siddlias may be procured. He 

 has a thousand and eight names, the most common 

 of which, amongst his adorers, is Jineswara^ or God. 



The servants of the Siddlias are Devatds, or the 

 spirits of good and great men ; who, although not 

 so perfect as to obtain an exemption from all future 

 change, yet live in an inferior heaven, called Sxvarga; 

 where, for a certain length of time, they enjoy great 



