1835.] Hindu Schismatics in Western India. f\ 



against the destruction of animalculse. The sheet is coloured with 

 Gfru, a kind of red-ochre, emblematical of humility ; they add a second 

 in the winter season, and sometimes a third, when if warmth be not 

 obtained, they throw off all clothing, to mortify feeling, disdaining, as 

 they express it, to be overcome by the wintry elements. This sheet is 

 brought over the head, and forms its only covering ; but woollen cloth 

 of similar dimensions is sometimes substituted for cotton in the cold 

 months. They all go bare-footed, and never ride on any description of 

 animal or wheeled conveyance. 



A perpendicular mark of white clay, called Siri, imprinted on the 

 forehead, is a distinguishing symbol of the sect, denoting belief in the 

 unity of God, and they have a rosary of small beads used in prayer 

 about their necks. Metal utensils are proscribed. The Sadh drink 

 from wooden goblets, and eat off stone, china, and earthen-ware ; the 

 latter, it is well known, are forbidden to orthodox Hindus. They ab- 

 stain from animal food, and what is singular, considering the extraor- 

 dinary anxiety shewn to provide for the safety of insects, partake of 

 nothing unsubdued by fire, fruits and vegetables not excepted. They 

 have no objection to touch the element, but refrain from preparing 

 their own food : thus it should seem, however fearful themselves, to 

 incur the deadly sin of robbing a creature of life, they do not view the 

 act in others with the same antipathy. Even the most loathsome 

 vermin are held sacred ; whenever a Ramsanehi kindles a light, he 

 covers it with a shade, and lamps are excluded from the temples from 

 an apprehension they may lure insects to destruction. Influenced by a 

 similar feeling, the priests look on the ground before they walk, and 

 never move out of doors, except on very urgent business, during four 

 months of the year, or from the middle of Asarh* to the middle of Kar- 

 tik. The insect population being most active in the wet months, they 

 fear to crush them under foot in passing through the rank vegetation, 

 and should they be on a journey, halt without reference to situation, 

 till the season is over. 



The total number of Sadh, so far as I could ascertain from inquiry 

 in various quarters, does not exceed eight hundred. No census has 

 ever been taken : they are dispersed over the country frequently at a 

 great distance from Shahpura, and never attend the festival of Phul 

 Dol together, so it is obviously impossible to arrive at a correct esti- 

 mate. The number at Shahpura constantly varies, and about a hun- 

 dred are sometimes met with in the temple at one time ; the visitors 

 who come to make their respects to the superior, to consult him and 

 receive his blessing, usually remain for three days, and give place to 

 others. 



* July, August, September, and October. 



