313 A JOURNEY FROM MADRAS THROUGH 
CHAPTER, prevented from marrying again, yet it is said, that perhaps one 
widow in a hundred throws herself into a pit filled with fire, and 
July 12. burns herself near the grave of her husband. The Brahmans do not 
officiate at funerals; but on those occasions money is distributed 
among them and other mendicants. 
The Guru of the cast is Tata Acharya , one of the hereditary 
chiefs of the Sri Vaishnavam Brahmans , who lives at Penu-conda . 
They go either to him, or to some of his relations, who live indif- 
ferent parts of the country, and receive Chakrdntikam, and advice 
to wear the marks of the god Vishnu ; and, according to their abi- 
lities, give, in return, from one to three Fanams. They are allowed 
to attend at the festivals of the great gods, although their claim to 
be of a Sudra, or pure descent, is rather doubtful Many of them 
can read and write accompts ; but they attempt no higher kind of 
learning. Although the JVoddaru pray to Vishnu , and offer sacri- 
fices to Marima , Gungoma, Virapaeshima , Durgama , Putalima , and 
Mutialima , yet the proper object of worship belonging to the cast 
is a goddess called Yellama , one of the destroying spirits. The 
image is carried constantly with their baggage ; and in her honour 
there is an annual feast, which lasts three days. On this occasion 
they build a shed, under which they place the image, and one of 
the tribe officiates as priest, or Pujctri. For these three days offer- 
ings of brandy, palm-wine , rice, and flowers are made to the idol, 
and bloody sacrifices are performed before the shed. The fVoddas 
abstain from eating the bodies of the animals sacrificed to their 
own deity; but eat those which they sacrifice to the other Saktis. 
This cast frequently vow Daseri, or dedicate themselves to the ser- 
vice of God ; which does not prevent from trading those who are 
rich or industrious; those who are idle live entirely by begging. 
The duty of a Dasdri requires that he should daily wash his head, 
and take care, M'hen he eats in company with the profane, that 
. 
their victuals do not intermix with his. On Saturday night, after 
having washed his head, and prayed for some hours, he must cook 
