1851.] Notes on the " Mahapurushyas" 465 



dieted all image worship, even of the Salagram, and the reason assigned 

 for this distinction between them and the laity is that, images or sym- 

 bols of the deity on which to concentrate the ideas, are required by 

 men whose minds are distracted by family cares and by indulgence in 

 worldly enjoyments, but not by those who have withdrawn themselves 

 from both, and who, if they act up to their vocation, spend the greater 

 portion of their time in holy meditation. 



The doctrines of Chaitanya obliterated the distinctions of caste. In 

 all probability those originally promulgated by Saiikar had a like 

 tendency ; but at present though the Mahapurushyas have not that 

 reverence for it that is entertained and arrogated by other Hindus, and 

 have more intercourse with each other irrespective of caste than is 

 usual amongst the ' twice-born/ yet the distinction is not altogether 

 effaced, and the Mahapurushyas will not eat cooked food from the 

 hands of a brother whose blood is not as pure as their own. 



Hindus of all castes are admitted into the fraternity, and once admit- 

 ted are, with the exception above noticed, associated with on equal terms 

 by all the brethren, and there is nothing more remarkable about this 

 sect than the firmness with which this bond of fraternity is maintained, 

 supporting each other through evil report and good report, bravely and 

 generously. One of the most highly respected of the Udasins is by 

 caste a distiller of spirits. Amongst ordinary Hindus it would be 

 considered degrading to men of caste to associate with such an indivi- 

 dual, but now, as a Mahapurushya and a Udasin of acknowledged 

 holiness, his origin is considered no disgrace to him. 



Actual privacy at meals, such as is enjoined by some of the Vaishnava 

 divines, the Mahapurushyas are not obliged to conform to. It is usual 

 with this sect when a number get together, to form a mess, the man of 

 the purest caste amongst them cooks for all, and they eat sitting together 

 in one enclosure but not from the same dish. This uncivilized practice 

 of eastern nations they regard with disgust and every man has his own 



I plate to eat off. Though a social fraternity in their own community 

 is thus encouraged, they are obliged to be extremely circumspect in 

 their intercourse with all other sects, who are to them as gentiles. 

 Purification by bathing and change of raiment is necessary before every 

 meal and previous to entering their places of worship, as they cannot 

 transact the affairs of every day life without coming into contact with 

 gentiles, and all such contact pollutes. 

 302 



