118 RELIGIOUS SECTS 



sect, as well as of the Ram&nandi Vaishnavas,* and in both, community 

 of schism is a close connecting link, which should, in deed, as well as word, 

 abrogate every other distinction. 



The Bhakti of the followers of this division of the Hindu faith is supposed 

 to comprehend five Rasas or Rails, tastes or passions : in its simplest form it is 

 mere Santa, or quietism, such as was practised by the Yogendras, or by sages, 

 as Sanaka and his brethren, and other saints : in a more active state, it is servi- 

 tude, or Ddsya, which every votary takes upon himself; a higher condition is 

 that of Sdkhya, a personal regard or friendship for the deity, as felt by Bnf ma, 

 Arjuna, and others, honoured with his acquaintance. Bdtsalya, which is a 

 higher station, is a tender affection for the divinity, of the same nature as the 

 love of parents for their children, and the highest degree of Bhakti is the 

 Mddhurya, or such passionate attachment as that which pervaded the feelings 

 of the Gopis, towards their beloved Krishna. 



The modes of expressing the feelings thus entertained by his votaries to- 

 wards Krishna, do not differ essentially from those prevalent amongst the fol- 

 lowers of the Gokulasfha Gasains^ the secular worshippers, however, pay a less 

 regular homage in the temples of Krishna, and in most parts of Bengal, his 

 public adoration occurs but twice a day, or between nine and twelve in the 

 morning, and six and ten at night : occasionally, however, it does take place in 

 a similar manner, or eight times a day. The chief ritual of the Bengal VaisJi- 

 navas of the class is a very simple one, and the Ndma Kirt'tana, or constant re- 

 petition of any of the names of Krishna, or his collateral modifications, is de- 

 clared to be the peculiar duty of the present age, and the only sacrifice the wise 

 are required to offer j it is of itself quite sufficient to ensure future felicity : 



* See remark on the Udmdnandi Vaishnavas ; page 44'. 



