1850.J 



Sircar of Pytun* 



267 



gion, and forsaking a secular life, to embrace one of mendicity and ex- 

 clusion : in all these particulars, we trace a striking resemblance to the 

 yect of Gosaees, as described by Mr. Ward, with this difference, that, 

 though the Gosaees devote themselves entirely to Krishna, they ad- 

 mit at the same time the whole mythology ; whilst the Mangbhows 

 are ordered to cast the gods of their father into the waters, and 

 never more offer worship to them. 



This reforming outcast gave the name of Mangbhow to his children, 

 from the circumstance of the blood of a Brahmin and Mang min- 

 gling together in their veins : their names were Krishna Bhaut,Duttiah, 

 Changiah, Goondum, and Parsea, who were severally sent abroad on 

 gaining man's estate, to procure proselytes to their father's apostacy. 

 Krishna was directed to proceed to Dwarka, in Katywar, Changiah 

 to the confluence of the Tapty and Nurbudda, Goondum to Reedpoor 

 in Berar. Duttiah to Manor, and Parsea to Punchulseer, a sacred 

 shrine near Bheer upon the Godavery. At these several places, 

 fairs are held annually and numerously attended by the followers of 

 Krishun Bhaut, and in their vicinities are seen their temples, which 

 are all devoted to Krishna, and distinguished by a pennon placed upon 

 the walls, of white and red in horizontal stripes, which flag they 

 also often fix upon their dwellings. The offerings made to the deity 

 are fruits, ghee, milk, betel, nuts, cocoanuts, dates and frankincense. 

 Before Krishna sent his sons forth upon their mission, he shaved off 

 their whiskers and mustaches, in commemoration of his own disgrace, 

 and gave to each a black cloth to wear, a wallet for their food, and 

 a staff which was to be carried reversed in the hand ; their mother in 

 like manner was clad in black garments, and her hair shorn from 

 her head : to the present day those portions of the sect who devote 

 themselves to a life of poverty and mendicity, (for there are some 

 who follow secular pursuits) assume this guise, in honor of their com- 

 mon founder : large bodies of this sect are often met in Berar, travel- 

 ling about to their different fairs, presenting a most singular spec- 

 tacle clad in their sable habiliments ; the effect of which causes no 

 slight sensation amongst^ the simple minded peasantry, who have 

 been taught by the Brahmins, to regard them in the light of an ac- 

 cursed race, and familiar with all the mysteries of the occult art ; a re- 

 putation they are by no means backward in assuming, as they well 

 know its value, in working on the sympathies of their fellow creatures: 

 they are not very numerous in the Sircar, but are scattered pretty 



VOL, XVI. NO- XXXVIII. ^ 1- 



