240 
A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
CHAPTER Guru only of the Matam from whence the Mahfaitina originally 
came, that possesses any jurisdiction over the inferior. 
June 23 , &c. The Pancham Banijigaru worship only Siva , his wife, and his sons: 
but they allege, that Brahma and Vishnu are the same with Siva, 
They suppose, that their sect has existed from the beginning of the 
world ; but that at the time of Bejala Rcija , who reigned about 720 
years ago at Kalydna Pattana , the kings and most of the people 
were Jainas. At this time Baswana , the supposed son of a Brahman . , 
became prime minister of the Raja , and restored the worship of 
Siva, Many of the Jainas were converted, and their descendants 
JainaBaniji - now form the Jaina Banijigaru , who, although they have the same 
gam. religion with the Pancham , are never admitted to the priesthood, 
nor to intermarry with the original sect. Bejala Raja having been 
put to death by Jagadiva and Bomanna, two servants of Baswana , 
that minister reigned in his stead ; and then promulgated the law 
which this sect now follow ; and this, with an account of all the 
actions of Baswana , are contained in a book called Basxvana Parana; 
which was written by a Brahman called Bhimakavi , at the desire of 
Baswana. The sect are in possession of another book of great au- 
thority. It consists of six Sdstrams written by a Jangama named 
Nijaguna, who, in the conversation which he had with an image of 
Siva at a temple on a hill near Ellanduru , received the necessary in- 
struction. After he had finished the book, this Jangama did not 
die ; but the image, opening, received him into its substance. It 
continues ever since to be held in great estimation. These books 
are open to the vulgar; but it is said, that the Jangamas have some 
books which are kept secret. 
Customs of The Teliga Banijigaru derive their name from having originally 
^Barijigaru. come from the Telinga country, which, in the dialect of Karnata , is 
called Teliga. They all retain the Telinga language, and allege that 
all Banijigas are descended from a person called Prithivi Mala- chit iy. 
By his first wife, who was of the Vishnu sect, he had the ancestors 
