458 Notes on the " Mahapurushyas" [No. 6. 



To the east of the Namghar and at a distance of ahout twelve feet 

 from it is a small brick temple with a dome, occupying an area of thirty- 

 eight square feet, enshrined in which is a stone about half a cubit long 

 bearing an impression said to be the foot print of Madhab one of the 

 founders of the Shostro. This is revered as a most sacred relic, and 

 when cholera or other epidemic rages in the village and a time is in con- 

 sequence appointed for solemn prayer to avert the calamity, this stone 

 is then placed on the altar beside the Bhagavat in the Namghar, and 

 the people on such occasions worship fasting and in wet garments. 

 In front of this temple there is a well, protected by a copper canopy, 

 supported on four light pillars of the same metal, the water of which 

 is considered very holy. 



To the north of the enclosure containing these buildings, is the 

 principal entrance, a covered structure of timber grotesquely carved and 

 gaily painted. To the south a flight of rough stone steps conducts 

 to the bed of a nullah and also to a small tank ; to the east and west 

 are the cloisters of the monks whom I shall now proceed to describe. 



The Mahapurushyas recognize two orders of their sect, the 

 "Udasins" or monks who have renounced the world, and devoted 

 themselves to celibacy ; and the " Grihist" or family men, or as they 

 are also called, " Grihi," laymen. 



Any Bhakat that pleases may become a Udasin or monk, on his 

 doing so he occupies or shares with another one of the small cells or 

 divisions of the cloisters. He lives on alms going daily his rounds to 

 collect from his friends ; and during the remainder of the day and part 

 of the night, he should devote himself to reading or hearing read the 

 history of the two Mahapurushyas, founders of the sect, S'ankar and 

 Madhab, called the " Lila Charitra ;" practising the three " Veds" 

 ■ hearing, singing and remembering,' contemplating and realizing to 

 himself the attributes and form of the deity, for idols he is not allowed 

 to worship. 



Each of these monks acts as immediate spiritual adviser or confes- 

 sor to one or more families of Grihis. It is said they are allowed access 

 at all times to all parts of the house and to all members of the family, 

 and that if the good man of the house observe the monk's long staff 

 with brazen knob (the symbol by which they are known as Udasins in 

 their peregrinations) planted at the entrance of his zenanah, he may 



