146 * 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
CHAPTER is carried on by the nearest male relation, or by some other Vaidika 
Brahman , whom the family appoints. '• 
June s. The Sannydsis and hereditary Gurus seem to be totally indepen- 
dent of each other, and to possess nearly the same authority and 
powers over their followers. When a Guru of any sect comes near a 
place, the whole inhabitants of a pure descent, whether they be his 
followers or not, must go out to receive him with the utmost respect. 
What is meant by the followers of a Guru , are certain families at- 
tached to him, to whom he performs certain ceremonies, and over 
whom, in all matters connected with religion, he possesses a juris- 
diction. In general, every man follows the Guru of his father : but 
this seems to be a voluntary submission ; and it is commonly allowed, 
that a man, whenever he pleases, may change his Guru. The cere- 
monies bestowed by the Sri Vaishnamm Gurus on their followers 
are chiefly Upadfaa and Chakrantikam . The Upadesa I have already 
explained. It is delivered orally to the follower ; and to write it 
down, or reveal it, are crimes of such an enormous magnitude as to 
be quite unknown. The Chakrantikam is performed with the spear 
of the god Vishnu , which is made hot, and applied by the Guru to 
the shoulder of the disciple, so as to burn the skin. During life this 
is frequently repeated; the Upadesa is only delivered once. 
Neither of these ceremonies are ever bestowed on a person of an 
impure birth ; so that the Whalliaru and Madigaru must content 
themselves with praying to God for his blessing to avert eyil, or 
bestow good. This however not being satisfactory, these poor people 
frequently attack the Brahmans for an Upadesa . In order to be quit 
of their importunity, the Brahmans sometimes tell them the name 
of any god, the constant muttering of which pleases the man much 
better, than the offering up his requests to the deity in the pure 
language of the heart. So powerful is the influence of ceremony 
over that of reason. 
In their judicial capacity the Gurus possess great authority. They 
take cognizance of all omissions of ceremonies, and actions that are 
