MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. U5 
and Kunji . When one of these Sannydsis observes the approach of 
death, he appoints some Vidwansa , or man of learning and piety, 
to be his successor. If the person chosen give his consent, he must 
forsake his wife, children, and goods, part of which goes to his 
children, and part is given in charity ; that is to say, to the Brah- 
mans. The new Sannydsi shaves his head, and throws aside the 
thread by which Brdhmans are distinguished. The virtues and 
powers belonging to his high rank he receives along with an 
UpadSsa, which is delivered to him by his predecessor. (Jpadesa is a 
mysterious sentence, which the Hindus receive from their Gurus } 
and constantly mutter when at their devotions. That of the Brdh- 
mans is entirely different from what is bestowed on the lower casts; 
and is again very inferior to that given to the Sannydsi Gurus , 
which, according to them, has most wonderful powers. ^In case of 
sudden death, the followers of the Mata meet, and choose from 
among themselves a Sannydsi , who gets an Upadfaa from one of the 
others. These Gurus frequently give an Upadesa , and some images, 
to a favourite disciple, and appoint him a kind of deputy to manage 
their affairs at a distance. Thus the Ahobalam Swdmalu has sent a 
deputy to Mailcotay, who resides at that great place of Hindu wor- 
ship, and there watches over the interests of his superior. These 
deputies observe the rules of Sannydsi , but have no power to appoint 
a successor. When one of them dies, the followers send back the 
images to their Guru , and request that he would depute another 
representative. 
Among the Sri Vaishnamm Brdhmans the office of an hereditary 
Guru descends in the male line according to primogeniture ; but, 
when one of them has no children, he must adopt his nearest male 
relation, who succeeds him as his son. Kindred by the female line 
is considered as not forming a tie of blood. These hereditary chiefs, 
once in two or three years, make a circuit round the places where 
their followers live. They also send agents to transact their busi- 
ness. An infant may succeed, and during his minority the business 
Vol. L U 
CHAPTER 
June 8. 
