1850.] 



Sircar of Pytun, 



255 



the large temple of the Wyshenawas, at Punderpoor, on the banks 

 of the Bema river. Vejai Pandoorung is one of the numerous names 

 by which Vishnoo is distinguished ; and is here represented by a 

 small standing figure of alloyed metal, covered with precious jewels, 

 the value of which some years ago tempted an attack upon the Tem- 

 ple by robbers, who dispossessed his godship of his ornaments, which 

 were, however, ultimately recovered. 



The Brahmins connected with the Punderpoor sect of worship- 

 pers, have shown a liberal minded and enlightened principle, by 

 adopting the Vernacular Dialect in their writings, that is, using Pra- 

 crit, instead of Sanscrit. Pracrit being merely the spoken language in 

 an antiquated form. This sect have had amongst their number ma- 

 ny celebrated writers ; whilst the Smaut Brahmins affecting to des- 

 pise the idiom of the day, have contributed little to the literature of 

 their country. The contempt of Hindoo writers for Pracrit is amus- 

 ingly shown in the Sanscrit Dramas which Mr. Wilson has translat- 

 ed, where the hero and principal characters are indulgingly permitted 

 to speak Sanscrit, but the poor women and subordinate characters, 

 are restricted to the use of Pracrit. 



One of the most celebrated of the Mahratta writers was a Brahmin 

 of Pytun, and follower of Vejai Pandoorung : his name was Eknaut % 

 and lived about the middle of the 16th century. The Brahmins of 

 this temple preserve a written history of his life, the particulars of 

 which are as follows. Eknaut was the son of a Brahmin of the 

 place ; who becoming an orphan at a very tender age, was left under 

 the protection of his father's parents, he early gave tokens of an in- 

 tellectual turn of mind, which was turned to advantage by a mira- 

 culous voice from the temple, commanding him to proceed to Deo- 

 ghiri, and there seek instructions from a holy man called Janardhun ; 

 so sedulously did he apply himself to study, that, he obtained the 

 fullest approbation of his preceptor, who to reward his industry, 

 presented him to Duttatria, an Incarnation of Vishnoo, who at once 

 perceived in his own mind, that Eknaut was an Incarnation of Vit- 

 tul, and intimated to Janardhun the divine nature of his pupil, assur- 

 ing him at the same time, that mankind were to acquire great happi- 

 ness by his means. Janardhun gratified with the intelligence, pro- 

 ceeded with his pupil to Sooria Coonda, in order that the ceremony 

 of Anooshtan should be there performed : after which they repaired to 

 Nassuck, Trimbuck, Punchavuttee, where under his preceptor's direc- 



