236 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
CHAPTER from tlie power which certain Mantrams , pronounced by them, are 
believed to possess. For instance, by a proper Mantram , the deity 
June 22, &c. may be removed from any inspired image into a pot of holy water; 
and the image having been ornamented by profane hands, the deity 
may be again transferred back from the pot of water. Sdstrams are 
portions of the writings esteemed sacred; and of which certain 
parts are appointed to be read on particular occasions, such as I 
have above mentioned. 
Customs of I assembled at different times the chief persons of some of the 
various casts. most conspicuous casts at Bangalore; and procured from them the 
following account of their customs. 
Banijigaru. 
Pancham 
Banijigaru. 
The Banijigas , or Banijigaru, are in this country a very numerous 
class, and are of three kinds, the Pancham, the Jaina, and the Telinga 
Banijigaru. 
The Pancham Banijigaru are by the Mussulmans called Lingait , 
as being the chief persons of the sect, who wear, round their necks, 
a silver box containing an image of Siva in shape of the Ling a, 
under which form only he is ever worshipped. From this circum- 
stance they are also called Sivabhactaru, and Lingabuntaru ; but in 
this country there are many other lower casts, who wear the same 
badge of religion. The Pancham Banijigaru are also the heads of 
the right hand side. They admit of no distinction of cast among 
themselves, except that arising from a dedication to the service of 
God ; but they do not admit of any proselytes from other Hindu 
races ; nor do they intermarry with any of the lower casts that 
wear the Linga. The Brahmans allege, that they are Sudras ; but 
this, in general, they earnestly deny. The manner in which the 
Brahmans reason with them is this: You are, say they, neither Brah- 
man, Kshdtri , nor Vaisya. If therefore you are not Sudras , you must 
belong to one of the low, or impure casts. Many of th q Lingait, 
rather than endure such a terrible degradation, are induced to 
acknowledge themselves of the Sudra cast. It must however be 
observed, that Vdnija , from which their name is probably derived, 
t 
