1^ RELIGIOUS SECTS 



to have flourished, and we may, therefore, follow it as a very safe guide, in our 

 enquiries into the actual state of the Hindu Religion about eight or nine 

 centuries ago. 



The various sectaries of the Hindu Religion then existing, are all intro- 

 duced to be combated, and, of course, conquered, by Sankara: the list is 

 rather a long one, but it will be necessary to go through the whole, to ascer- 

 tain the character of the national faith of those days, and its present modifi- 

 cations, noticing, as we proceed, some of the points of difference or resem- 

 blance between the forms of worship which then prevailed, and which now 

 exist. The two great divisions of Vaishnavas and Saivas were both in a 

 flourishing condition, and each embraced six principal subdivisions : we shall 

 begin with the former, who are termed ; Bhdkias, Bhdgavatas, VaishnavaSj 

 Chakrinas, or Pa?ichardtrakas, VaiFhdnasas and KarmaUnas. 



But as each of these was subdivided into a practical and speculative, or 

 Kerma and Jnydna portion, they formed, in fact, twelve classes of the followers 

 of Vishnu, as the sole and supreme deity. 



The Bhdktas worshipped Vishnu as VXsudeva, and wore no character- 

 istic marks. The Bhdgavatas worshipped the same deity as Bhagavat, and 

 impressed upon their persons the usual Vaishnava insignia, representing the 

 discus, club, &c. of that divinity j they likewise reverenced the Sdlagrdm 

 stone, and Tulasi plant, and in several of their doctrinal notions, as well as in 

 these respects, approach to the present followers of Ramanuja, although they 

 cannot be regarded as exactly the same. The authorities of these three sects 

 were the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gitd. The names of both the sects still 

 remain, but they are scarcely applicable to any particular class of Vaishnavas : 

 the term BhaJda, or Bhagat, usually indicates any individual who pretends to a 

 more rigid devotion than his neighbours, and who especially occupies his mind 



