RELIGIOUS SECTS OF THE HINDUS. 239 



the principal seats of Hindu wealth and learning, and particularly at 

 Benares* 



NAGAS. 



The naked mendicants of the Sikhs are said to differ from those of 

 the Vaishnava and Saiva sects, by abstaining from the use of arms, and 

 following a retired and religious life. Except in going without clothes, 

 they are not distinguishable from the Nirmalas. 



JAINS. 



A satisfactory account of the religion of the Jains would require a 

 distinct dissertation, and cannot be comprised within the limits necessa- 

 rily assigned to this general sketch of the Hindu sects. The subject is 

 of considerable interest, as affecting a very large proportion of the popu- 

 lation of India, and involving many important considerations connected 

 with the history of the Hindu faith : an extended inquiry must, however, 

 be left to some further opportunity ; and in the meantime our attention 

 will be confined to a few observations on the peculiar tenets and practices 

 of the Jain religion, its past history, and actual condition. 



* An interesting account of the religious service of the Sikhs, in their college at Patna, was 

 published by Mr. Wilkins, in the first volume of the Asiatic Researches. I witnessed a similar cere- 

 mony at a Sikh establishment at Benares, and partook of the Prasdda, or sweetmeats, distributed 

 to the assistants. Both Mr. Wilkins and Sir John Malcolm notice this eating in common, as if 

 it were peculiar to the Sikh faith ; but this, as elsewhere observed, is not the case. It prevails with 

 most. of the Vaishnava sects ; but it should be remembered that it is always restricted to articles 

 which have been previously consecrated by presentation to the object of worship, to the Idol, the 

 sarcophagus, the sculptured foot-marks, or the book. 



