

III. 



SKETCH 



OF THE 



RELIGIOUS SECTS OF THE HINDUS, 



By HORACE HAYMAN WILSON, Esq. 

 Secretary Asiatic Society. 





SAIVAS. 



In the former communication on this subject, which I had the honour to 

 lay before the Society, I attempted to convey a notion of the different 

 classes amongst which the numerous worshippers of Vishnu are distri- . 



buted. In my present, I propose to compleat my task, and commencing 

 with the followers of Siva and of Sakti, conclude with those sects which 

 are of a miscellaneous and less orthodox description. 



The worship of Siva in the districts along the Ganges, presents 

 itself under a very different aspect from that of Vishnu, and with some 

 singular anomalies. It appears to be the most prevalent and popular of 

 all the modes of adoration, to judge by the number of shrines dedicated 

 to the only form under which Siva is reverenced, that of the Linga; yet 



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