

1851.] Notes on the " Mahdpuruskyas." 46/ 



tions, when the Bhakats were divided in opinion, but on no occasion 

 were the nominies of either party selected from any other family.* 



The Adhikari is assisted by a deputy called the Desha Adhikari and 

 there are several other office-bearers for the lay and for the spiritual 

 duties. 



With exception to certain fees allotted to the Adhikari, all offerings 

 received for religious duties, presents from disciples, fees of admission 

 from proselytes, fees for re-admission to caste and the like are deposited 

 in the Shostro treasury, and credited in the Shostro accounts by the 

 accountant, and no disbursement can be made except by order of the 

 Adhikari with the assent of the Bhakats, or a portion of them forming 

 a sort of committee. The treasury is said to be very rich. The value of 

 gold and silver utensils and ornaments together with the cash in the store- 

 house is estimated at 60,000 Rupees. The annual receipts may average 

 four or five thousand and the disbursements about three thousand. The 

 chief items of expenditure being the subsistence of poor travellers, for 

 whose benefit an establishment of wood-cutters, potters and fishermen 

 is kept up, and the expense of feasting at the great annual festivals 

 all visitors who avail themselves of the hospitality of the Shostro. 



The half rent paid to Government for the Dharmmottar lands attached 

 to the temple is also paid from the general fund, nothing on this account 

 being taken from the Bhakats who occupy the land. 



For adjudication in disputes brought before the head of the institu- 

 tion, for assessing the amount of fine to be levied from an outcast for 

 re-admission to caste, and for other matters requiring consideration, 

 the Adhikari is assisted by a council which usually consists of two or 

 more members of the family of the " Pathak" (reader of a commentary 

 of the Bhagavat) and of the reader of the Bhagavat in Sanskrit, 

 a Brahman, or one of the family of the " Rajmidhi" who is the man 

 of business of the Shostro in all temporal affairs. These councils are 

 held in a house adjoining the " Namaghar." 



Any individual wishing to become a Bhakat or disciple must present 

 to the Shostro an offering of oil, cloths, and a sum of money according 

 to his means. The Adhikari or in his absence the Desha Adhikari 

 then teaches him the Mantra or initiating incantation, upon receiv- 

 ing which he must fee his instructor, and as far as I have learnt, 



* This Rama Rama Guru was thus the Aaron of the sect, the progenitor of a 

 family of Levites from whom alone the high priests can be chosen. 



