176 SKETCH OF THE 



will be usually found that they profess to adore Nirguna or Niranjana*, 

 the deity devoid of attribute or passion*. 



The DaMis, who are rather practical than speculative, and who have 

 little pretence to the appellation beyond the epithet and outward signs 

 of the order, are those most correctly included amongst the Saiva sects. 

 Amongst these, the worship of Siva, as Bhairava, is the prevailing form, 

 and in that case part of the ceremony of initiation consists in inflicting a 

 small incision on the inner part of the knee, and drawing the blood of the 

 novice as an acceptable offering to the god. The Danctis of every des- 

 cription, have also a peculiar mode of disposing of their dead, putting them 

 into coffins and burying them ; or when practicable, committing them to 

 some sacred stream. The reason of this is their being prohibited the 

 use of fire on any account! . 



Any Hindu of the three first classes may become Sanydsi or Dan&i, 

 or, in these degenerate days, a Hindu of any caste may adopt the life 

 and emblems of this order. Such are sometimes met with, as also 

 are Brahmans, who, without connecting themselves with any community, 



* The Danclis of the North of India are the Sanyasis, or monastic portion of the Smartal 

 Brahmanas of the South, of whom Buchanan gives the following account : " The most nu- 

 merous class here, and which comprehends about one-half of all the Brahmans in the Lower Carnatic, 

 is called the Smartal Sect, and its members are the followers of Sa*ikara Acharya. They are 

 commonly said to be of the sect of Siva, but they consider Brahma, Vishnu and Iswara to be 

 the same as the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. They are readily distinguished 

 by three horizontal stripes on the forehead, made with the ashes of cowdung." (Buch. 1. 13). " The 

 Sanyasis are the Gurus of this sect ;" (Ibid 305) and the DaMis have great influence and autho- 

 rity amongst Saiva Brahmans of the North of India. 



■\ In the South, the ascetic followers of both Siva and Vishnu bury the dead ; (Dubois, 56) 

 so do the Vaishnava Vairdgis and Sanyasis in the North of India, and the Saiva Jogis. The 

 class of Hindu weavers called Yogis, have adopted a similar practice ; (Ward 1, 201) all the casts in 

 the South, that wear the Linga, do the same, (Buch. 1. 27). 



