RELIGIOUS SECTS OF THE HINDUS. 199 



After his return to Kalydn, his sister, who was one of his first disciples, was delivered 

 of a son, Chenna Bdsava, who is not unfrequently confounded with his uncle, and regarded, 

 perhaps more correctly, as the founder of the sect. 



After recording these events, the work enumerates various marvellous actions, per- 

 formed by Bdsava and several of his disciples, such as converting grains of corn to pearls 

 — discovering hidden treasures — feeding multitudes — healing the sick, and restoring the 

 dead to life. The following are some of the anecdotes narrated in the Puruna. 



'& 



Basava having made himself remarkable for the profuse bounties he bestowed upon the 

 Jangamas, helping himself from the Royal Treasury for that purpose, the other ministers 

 reported his conduct to Bijala, who called upon him to account for the money in his 

 charge. Basava smiled, and giving the keys of the Treasury to the king, requested him to 

 examine it, which being done, the amount was found wholly undiminished. Bijala thereupon 

 caused it to be proclaimed, that whoever calumniated Bdsava, should have his tongue cut out. 



A Jangama, who cohabited with a dancing girl, sent a slave for his allowance of rice to 

 the house of Bdsava, where the messenger saw the wife of the latter, and on his return re- 

 ported to the dancing girl the magnificence of her attire. The mistress of the Jangama was 

 filled with a longing for a similar dress, and the Jangama having no other means of grati- 

 fying her, repaired to Bdsava, to beg of him his wife's garment. Bdsava immediately 

 stripped Gangdmbd, his wife, and other dresses springing from her body, he gave them all 

 to the Jangama. 



A person of the name of Kanapa, who regularly worshipped the image of Ekamres- 

 wara, imagining the eyes of the deity were affected, plucked out his own, and placed them 

 in the sockets of the figure. Siva, pleased with his devotion, restored his worshipper his eyes. 



A devout Saiva named Mahadevala MacJidya, who engaged to wash for all the Jan- 

 gamas, having killed a child, the Raja ordered Bdsava to have him secured and punished ; 

 but Bdsava declined undertaking the duty, as it would be unavailing to offer any harm to 

 the worshippers of Siva. Bijala persisting, sent his servants to seize and tie him to the 

 legs of an elephant, but Machdya caught the elephant by the trunk, and dashed him and 

 his attendants to pieces. He then proceeded to attack the Raja, who being alarmed, appli- 



