148 On the Creedf Customs and Literature of the Jangams. [Jaw, 



cd every honour. In this one be is looked upon as an inferior, and as 

 only a pretender to being in the faith. 



To this subject we must return when speaking of the Aradhyas: — 

 meantime it is requisite to point out that the Jangams, who totally re- 

 ject the Bratnins, class themselves as Sdmdnyas and Vi&eshas, 



1. The Sdmdnya or ordinary Jangam is bound by no vow. He or she 

 can eat flesh* and drink wine : they use belelnut, and can eat in any 

 one's bouse. Only they are obliged to marry in their own caste. 



2. The higher grade, opposed to this is the Fisetha or extraordi- 

 nary : being the guru or teacher, commonly called Matadhipati or 

 spiritual guide. All the rest are his disciples. He or she acquires 

 this rank by taking avow, the greater vow ; which will be afterwards 

 described. Any man or woman who is moral and devout is admissi- 

 ble to this rank : which entirely releases them from caste. 



Further there are two classes of (bhacta) worthies who are de- 

 votees, but do not as yet aspire to the higher grades. 



1. Those {Sdmdnya hhactas) who retain caste, and in other respects 

 are the same as Saraarya Jangams. 



2. The (F?6re5//« 6//ac^aA) confirmed worshippers: these are under 

 the lesser vow : which binds them to honour the " Guru, the Lingam, 

 and the Jangam" — three phrases which they use as a summary of their 

 opinions. For they ordain that every honour must be paid to *' the 

 teacher, the image, and the brother in the faith." And their bitter 

 foes, the Bramins, acknowledge ihat the Jangams treat each other as 

 brethren. 



These Viseshas are entirely free from caste : and as they are found 

 chiefly among the Cannadis, they are generally styled Cannadilu. 



Now as to eating : — the Visesha hhacta will not eat in the houses 

 of the lower sect. The Guru can eat in the houses of Visesha'' s alone ; 

 who are entitled to sit with him at dinner. The rest cannot ; they 

 therefore sit a little way off. The distinction is that the Visesha Jangams 

 are teachers: and the Visesha Bhactas are disciples. 



All can eat in the house of the Visesha, but not in each others 

 houses. 



These rules apply to both sexes: for men and women dine together. 

 Though the Aradhyas are bound to attend funerals, even those of 

 parias, the Jangams (even parias) cannot eat with them even at the fune- 

 ral dinner. 



* Excepting of eourse that of the co>7, which all Hindus look upon as we do upon 

 borse-flesh, 



