MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR, 
241 
of their cast ; and by bis second wife, who worshipped Iswara , or 
Sim, he had the ancestors of the Lingabantaru. They are evidently 
an inferior people, and more ignorant than the other Banijigas , ow- 
ing probably to their being under the Brahmans , who exclude their 
followers from a share of their learning. In the Teliga language 
they are called Balija ; whence, probably, is derived the name Bulje- 
<war, which is bestowed by the Mussulmans on all Banijigas. 
The true Telinga Banijigas are merchants and traders of all kinds, 
farmers, and farmers servants, and porters for the transportation of 
goods or baggage ; but never artists, nor mechanics. They are 
divided into a number of tribes, all of which can eat together ; but 
one tribe never marries Avith another. The chiefs of the Linga- 
hantashcLVQ a civil jurisdiction over the Teliga Banijigaru ; but in 
order to settle matters relating to their own cast, they choose the 
man whom they judge to be most capable ; and in the absence of 
their Gurus , this man calls an assembly of the elders, and settles 
the affair. 
Their Gurus are all hereditary chiefs of the Sri Vaishnavam Brah- 
mans, and never punish any delinquent without the advice of a 
council of elders. In their visits, these Gurus live in the temples, 
and assemble the people in order to collect their contributions, 
and to bestow Upadesa and Chacrdntikam on such as choose to re- 
ceive them. The Panchdnga acts as their Purohita, attending at 
births, marriages, and funerals, and on each occasion receives 
charity. 
Among the Teliga Banijigaru the custom of Ddseri prevails. A 
Ddstri is a man dedicated to the service of the Tripathi Vishnu ; that 
is to say, who subsists by begging in the name of that idol. When 
a sick man is in great danger, he frequently vows, if he reco\ r ers, 
to take Ddseri, or to make one of his sons assume that profession; 
and ever afterwards the eldest son of the family must follow that 
business, but the younger sons follow some industrious employment. 
The Ddseri may marry, and may be a rich man ; as the younger 
Yol. L I i 
CHAPTER 
IV. 
June 22, &c. 
