1836.] 



An account of the Maun Bhows. 



15 



in fulfilment of some other vow. The fraternity are chiefly 

 recruited from among the Koonbies (farmers) and other class- 

 es of the Shoodur division : it is very seldom that any persons 

 of the higher castes become converts, although there are a 

 few, instances of Brahmins joining them : there is a Brahmin 

 in the Ahmednuggur district who was for some reason in- 

 duced to become a Maun Bhow about six years ago : he 

 however subsequently regretted having abandoned his own 

 order : and expressed a great desire to be re-admitted among 

 them ; he now continues to be rejected by his old friends and 

 relations, and despised by his new brethren. 



ft is to be stated, that the different Kools or Villies, into 

 whi'ch the Maun Bhows are divided have a chief or superior 

 in each Mhutt termed by them Mhunth : his followers are 

 termed Chelaks, Sishas, (disciples).-— The Mhunth is highly 

 reverenced by his followers and is invested with patriarchal 

 authority : when the office of Mhunth becomes vacant, the 

 disciples assemble to elect a successor from among them- 

 selves to fill the situation. The person who is known to be 

 most pious and experienced., and altogether considered best 

 qualified to fill the vacant situation, is nominated on such oc- 

 casions. Should a Mhunth at any time be guilty of any 

 impropriety of conduct, and justly incur the censure of the 

 members of the society, he either will see the necessity of 

 relinquishing his appointment of chief, and quitting the coun- 

 try, or some of his friends will point out the propriety of his 

 doing so,, to avoid his being publicly expelled. When a 

 Mhunth vacates his office by withdrawing himself from it, 

 the superior of the Kuveesswurbas or of theOopaadbas from 

 whichever the Villy may have sprung, nominates a Mhunth 

 to fill the vacant gaddj .* 



There are instances of Mhunths who have arrived at an 

 advanced age, nominating one of their disciples to be their 

 successor, and afterwards quitting the gaddy and living the 

 few remaining years of their lives in retirement. This is the 

 case at present at Busswunt in Berar. The aged Mhunth 

 Dhamodhur Dharashookur has placed all authority in the 



* A scat, cushion, throne. 



