218 Classification of the Newars [May, 



till a new language arose in Nepal by the natural course of things. The 

 primitive inhabitants of Nepal were all of one caste, or had no caste. 

 But their descendants, in the course of time, became divided into many 

 castes, according to the trades and professions which they followed ; and 

 of these, such as abandoned the world and shaved their heads, became 

 Bhikshu, Sramana, Chailaka, and Arhana, and took up their abode in 

 forests or in monasteries. The latter four orders are all ascetical ; and in 

 strictness absolutely excluded from all worldly commerce. But should 

 any of them, still retaining the custom of tonsure, become worldly men, 

 such are called Sravaka, &c. to a great extent of diverse names]. Man- 

 ju Sri, having by such deeds as these acquired the highest celebrity in 

 Nepal, ostensibly, and for the instruction of the people, relinquished his 

 mortal form, and became nirviin ; but, in truth, departed for Mount 

 Sirsha with his two Devis, and in due course arrived at Pancha Sirsha 

 Parvata. Some time after the disappearance ofMANju Sri [in the Trita 

 yug] Karkut Sand Buddha came to Nepal, with some Bhikshukas, Dhar- 

 mapala Raja, and a multitude of the common people, from Kshemavati 

 nagar, of Madhya desa. The beauty of the country delighted him, and he 

 remarked that in such a land the cultivator must be sure to reap as he 

 sowed. He paid his devotions to Swoyambhu, and then launched out in 

 praise of the merits of Manju Sri theNipalese patriarch. Afterwards, he 

 performed piija to Guhyeswari, and then ascended Sankhocha mountain 

 (Siva Pura) : the prospect of the valley from that mount filled him with 

 fresh delight, and he again celebrated the excellence of the country. 

 Gunadhvaja, a Brahman, and Abhayandada, a Kshetriya, and others of 

 the four castes (chatiir varana), respectful followers of Kurkut Sand, 

 here solicited at his hands the favour of being made Bhikshukas, in order 

 that they might remain in this happy land, and by the worship of Swo- 

 yambhu attain to high merit and honour. Kurkut cheerfully complied, 

 and agreed to make a great many of the company Bhikshukas; and since 

 the mountain top afforded no water for that ceremony, he by his divine 

 power caused a spring to issue from the rock, and with its waters gave to 

 his followers the requisite Abhisheka or baptism. He called the river 

 that originated with this spring VangmatiJ ; and then related to his 

 followers both the past and future history of the valley watered by the 

 Vangmati. Then, having left behind him at Nepal, Raja Dharmapal 

 and some Bhikshus and common folks, who had come with him, and 

 desired to stay, Kurkut Sand departed with the rest of them to his 

 native city of Kshemavati. These companions of Kurkut Sand, or Kra- 

 kucchand, were the first natives of the plains of India (Madhya-desa) 

 who remained in Nepal. Many of them, addicting themselves to the 



