1840.] On the Creed^ Customs and Literature of the Jangams. 145 



idolatrous. It is also possible that an observation of the Christiatt 

 faith in the neighbouring country of Malayala may have led to his 

 seeking a better creed. At all events be determined on getti»»g rid of 

 the braminical priest-craft, and accordingly refused to woriidp ^»ny 

 deity but Siva, whose image, the lingara, is the most ancient idol known 

 among the Hindus. 



This symbol is as separate from indecency in the Hindu mind as 

 circumcision is in the Mahomedan mind. The Brarnins with their 

 usual love of filth have connected a variety of obscenities with the 

 linga worship, but these are wholly unknown to the Jangams who look 

 upon this idol just as the catholics do upon a reliquary, with deep 

 veneration 



Hanging a golden stamp about their necks 

 Put on with holy prayers. 



Macbeth, iv. 3. 



The image erected in the Saiva temples being denominated Sthavara 

 Lingam, or the stable imnge, he denominated this reliquary the Jan- 

 gama Lingam or Locomotive image : a phrase borrowed from the 

 Vedas, where it is used for living being. Hence he and his followers 

 are denominated Jangams, or living images of the deity. 



Before we proceed to describe his doctrines, we will give in a few 

 words, the rest of the history of Basava, still referring our readers to 

 Mr. Elliot's Essay (which gives the Jaina account), and to the Basava 

 Puran which relates the story as told by the Jangams. 



Baaava's determined opposition to the Saivite Bramins and tothe Jainas 

 raised him many enemies : while his bounty to the poor gained him 

 friends equally numerous. At last the prince's jealousy w hs roused, 

 and a civil war ensued wherein Bizzala was slain A. D. 1168*, and this 

 event was soon succeeded by the death of Basava who, according to his 

 followers was " absorbed into the image" or vanished : while the Jaina 

 account declares that he fled to Capila Sangam where the Malparba and 

 Krishna rivers meet, about 104 miles west of Bellary.f This event 

 was coeval with the murder of St. Thomas a Becket, 



The name Basava is a very common one among Hindus; the Jan- 

 gams have taken occasion from their teacher having borne it to feign 

 that he was an incarnation of Nandi or Basava (the Apis or bull apper- 

 taining to Siva or Osiris), and this has been the source of numerous 

 idle legends on the subject. 



• For this date I am indebted to Mr, Elliot who ascertained it since the publicatiot\ 

 of his Essay. It corresponds with the Saca year 1090. 



t See Almanac as above, page 354, 



