MYSORE, CAN All A, AND MALABAR, 
333 
ceremonies are reserved for the three higher casts only; and of CHVPTF.it 
these the second is entirely extinct. Those who are pretenders to 
this rank are by the Brahmans treated merely as Sadr a. On solemn July j6\ 
occasions the Panchdngas, or village astrologers/read some prayers 
to the Sudras ; but they are not taken from the Vedas, and are con- 
sidered as of very little efficacy. These Brahmans do not consider 
themselves as at all bound to instruct the Sudras, nor to prevent 
them from offering bloody sacrifices to evil spirits. 
According to my informer, the Aayngar always existed; but 
before the time of Mama Anuja, from the want of charity, they had 
fallen into a low state ; for at that time the worshippers of Linga, 
Jain, and Buddha, three of the twenty-one heretical sects, were 
very numerous. The hereditary chiefs do not send fixed deputies 
to reside among their distant followers ; but they occasionally send 
agents to make circuits, bestow Ckakrdntikam, and receive charity. 
My informer insists positively, that the Sannydsis never bestow 
their Upadesa on any person, but their intended successor; lest the 
Brahman so dignified should establish a separate throne. Sometimes 
the intended successor gets the Upadesa early, and is sent to travel 
till his predecessor dies. The agents employed by the Sannydsis, 
to prevent them from aspiring to the dignity of their masters, are 
always married men. 
The Nmnhi are an inferior order of Brahmans, whose duty is to NumbiBr&h - 
act as Pujdrism the temples. They are all Vaidika, and never follow mans ' 
any worldly occupation ; but are despised, on account bf their re- 
ceiving fixed wages for performing their duty. The other Brahmans 
originally, perhaps, all lived by begging, which is the proper occu- 
pation of the cast, and the most dignified manner of living, as being 
most agreeable to God ; and in consequence acquired an hereditary 
superiority over the Numbis, which is kept up even by the Lokika, 
who have betaken themselves to worldly business, and who for 
wages will serve even men. Whatever may be the cause, no Lokika 3 
