208 SKETCH OF THE 



SANYASXS, BRAHMACHARIS, AND AVADHUTAS. 



Although the terras Sanydsi and Vairdgi are, in a great measure, 

 restricted amongst the Vaishnavas to peculiar classes, the same limit can 

 scarcely be adopted with regard to the Saivas. All the sects, except the 

 Sanyogi Alits, are so far Sanydsi, or excluded from the world, as not to 

 admit of married teachers, a circumstance far from uncommon, as we 

 have seen amongst the more refined followers of Vishnu. Most of the Saiva 

 sects, indeed, are of a very inferior description to those of the Vaishnavas. 



Besides the individuals who adopt the DarVda Grahana, and are un- 

 connected with the Dasndmis, there is a set of devotees who remain, 

 through life, members of the condition of the Bramachdri, or student :* 

 these are also regarded as Sanydsis, and where the term is used in a definite 

 sense, these twelve kinds, the Dandis, JBrahmachdris, and ten Dasndmi 

 orders are implied. In general, however, the term, as well as Avadhiita, or 

 Avdhauta, and Alakhndmi, express all the Saiva classes of mendicants, 

 except, perhaps, the Jogis. 



NAGAS. 





The Saiva Sanydsis who go naked, are distinguished by this term. 

 They smear their bodies with ashes, allow their hair, beards, and whiskers 

 to grow, and wear the projecting braid of hair, called the Jaid; like the 

 Vairdgi Ndgas, they carry arms, and wander about in troops, soliciting 

 alms, or levying contributions. The Saiva Ndgas are chiefly the refuse 



* The Dirghahala Brahmacharyam, or protracted period of studentship is, however, amongst 

 the acts enumerated in various authorities of indisputable character, as those which are prohibited 



in the Kali age 



