MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. 
235 
proper time of the moon, and also in order to cut off six superfluous C HAPTER 
i days, which twelve months of thirty days would give more than a 
year of twelve lunations. Every thirtieth month one intercalary June 22, &c. 
moon is added, in order to remove the difference between the lunar 
and solar years. As the former is the only one in use, and is vary- 
ing continually, none of the farmers, without consulting the Fan- 
changa, know the season for performing the operations of agriculture. 
These Panchangas are poor ignorant Brahmans , who get almanacs Panchangas. 
from some one skilled in astronomy. This person marks the days, 
which correspond with the times in the solar year, that usually pro- 
duce changes in the weather, and states them to be under the in- 
fluence of such and such conjunctions of stars, male, female, apd 
neuter; and every one knows the tendency of these conjunctions 
to produce certain changes in the weather. The poor Panchangas 
are as much in the dark as their neighbours, and actually believe 
that the year consists of 360 days, six of which are lost, nobody 
can tell how. As for the skill in astrology by which the learned are Astrology, 
supposed to be able to foretel the seasons, I have never met with 
even a Vaidika Brahman , that doubted its existence. It is, however, 
looked upon as a common science, as not having any thing miracu- 
lous in it, nor being communicated to its professors by divine 
favour. 
The office of Panchdnga in every part of this country is here- 
ditary, and is always held by a Brahman, who acts as Purohita, or 
family priest, to all the persons of pure descent in the town or vil- 
lage. In Bengal, Brahmans who have lost cast act as Purohitas for 
the low or impure casts ; but both here, and in the lower Carnatic , 
such an office would be considered as too degrading for even the 
Panchangas 
and Purohi- 
tas. 
most reprobate of the sac red order , The office of Purohita consists 
in reading at certain cei monies, such as marriages, births, funerals, 
the building of a new bouse, or the like, what are called M ant rams, 
and Sdstrams. Mantra s are certain fixed forms of prayer, or invo- 
cations of the deity ; nd the high dignity of the Brahmans arises 
