•468 Notes on the " Mahdpurushyas." [No. 6. 



these are the only fees the Adhikari can chum, though he also 

 receives presents from disciples who visit him after a long absence. 



I have not been able to ascertain in what words the mystic Mantra 

 is given. It is an inviolable secret. 



It only remains for me to notice the services daily performed in the 

 Shostro. Sankar and Madhab taught their followers that of the 

 nine modes by which knowledge was acquired (*' the nobo vid") the 

 most important were " hearing," " singing and remembering," and it 

 is with reference to these, that the following ritual has been established. 



1 st. The morning service appropriately commences with the songs 

 which the Gopis were accustomed to sing to awaken Krishna. 



2nd. This is followed by spiritual songs accompanied by the clap- 

 ping of hands and striking of cymbals. 



3rd. The officiating Brahman reads a portion of the Bhagavat in 

 Sanskrita. 



4th. A portion of the commentaries on the above in Asamese is 

 read by one of the Bhakats. 



In the afternoon service. 



1st. The commentary of the Bhagavat is read. 



2nd. The congregation sing and clap their hands and strike the 

 cymbals. 



3rd. The Bhagavat in Sanskrit is read. 



The third service is held in the evening, at dusk, by candlelight, at 

 which, 1st, a portion of the " Gunamala," 



2nd. Portions of the " Lila mala," and 



3rd. Parts of the " Bhotima" are read. 



4th. Singing accompanied with cymbals and other musical instru- 

 ments. 



5th. Singing accompanied with the clapping of hands only. 



6th. A portion of the commentaries on the Bhagavat or a part of 

 the Asamese translation of the Ramayanais read. These books are read 

 regularly through till finished, and then recommenced. 



At the conclusion of each of these services the name of Krishna is 

 slowly repeated three or four times by the Bhakat who officiates, in a 

 deep, solemn and impressive tone of voice. The whole congregation 

 repeat it after him with equal solemnity, all with their heads reverently 

 bent down till the forehead touches the ground ; it is echoed by those 

 in the verandah and taken up by such as may be within hearing out- 



