1 84 O.J 



Account of the Basava Puran. 



275 



Here also we first find the mention of Mdheswards, that is, Jangoms ? 

 who are introduced as a sect already known. But this style probably 

 is used merely to avoid the idea of innovation, for Basava declares re- 

 p^'atedly that all who are devout adorers of Siva are his brethren. And 

 throughout this book we find him lavishing his bounty and his worship on 

 pariars or others who are faithful worshippers of Siva. And it is evident 

 that very few of these are Jangams. 



Then follows a discourse intended to prove that faith (bhacti) is all 

 in all. That this is the one boon to be sought ; and that faith makes 

 the (bhacti) adorer equal to the deity. At the close of this conversation 

 Allama blesses Basava, to free him from the power of sin. He then is 

 ** resolved into the image" (ling-aikyam), v/hich here is interpreted that 

 he vanished ; but this phrase is elsewhere used to denote death. 



Basava then devoted himself to mystic abstraction (Ydga-sastram), and 

 continued his bountcms treatment of the Jangams, " gradually being 

 more and more absorbed in the image as camphor is absorbed by fire." 



The next legend describes some robbers who gained access to Basava 

 by wearing on their necks beans which they feigned were (lingams) im- 

 ages. On examination the beans are found to be changed into images. 

 On another occasion he converts a heap of corn into pearls. 



Many miracles are related regarding other saints : and some are nar« 

 rated by Basava himself. 



In the Third book Basava distributes in charity the treasures of his 

 master the king. But the treasury is still as full as ever. This intro« 

 duces another story, wherein a minister who had embezzled money given 

 him to purchase horses, collects some foxes and turns them into steedso 

 In the next legend one of the Jangams requests Basava to give him a 

 silk dress then worn by his wife Gangamba. She is accordingly desired 

 to strip it off ; and does so ; but in the usual mode it is merely a long 

 sheet, and as fast as she unrolls it more and richer dresses appear under 

 it. The Jangam then cuts off as much as he requires. This is a mere 

 imitation of a story in the second book of the Mahabharat, wherein Drau- 

 padi is thus miraculously clothed . 



The next set of legends is regarding the (mudha bhact), or silly saints 

 —-whose feats certainly rival those of the simpletons (ahmaq) described 

 in the Musulman pious legends. These idiot monks, who have bid fare- 

 well to common sense always receive peculiar honour among Hindus of 

 all creeds. Several of them are called Minda-Jangams or libertines 

 (as mentioned in the former essay ); and absolutely do not know right 

 from wrong. This exalts their merit ; as the force of their faith atones 

 for every other deficiency. 



