MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. 
359 
cannot marry a second time. In some families of the Bay dam, 
however, they may be received as concubines. They bury the dead. 
They believe, that after death wicked men become devils, and that 
good men are born again in a human form. The spirits of men who 
die without having married, become V irikci y and to their memory 
have small temples and images erected, where offerings of cloth 
nee, and the like, are made to their manes. If this be neglected, 
they appeal in dreams, and threaten those who are forgetful of 
theii duty. These temples consist of a heap, or cciim of stones, in 
which the roof of a small cavity is supported by two or three flags ; 
and the image is a rude shapeless stone, which is occasionally oiled, 
as in this country all other images are. Female chastity is not at 
ad honouied in this way. d his superstition seems rather local, than 
as belonging to this cast ; for it is followed by all the Sudras of this 
part of the country, and I have not observed it any where else. The 
Baydaru, in consequence of vows made in sickness, take JDdscri, 
that is, dedicate themselves to the service of God, both perpetual 
and temporary. The proper god of the cast is Trimula Dharu, to 
whom a celebrated temple is here dedicated. It is an immense 
mass of granite on the summit of a low hill. Under one side of it 
is a natural cavity, which is painted red and white with streaks of 
leddle and lime. In this cavity is placed a rude stone, as the em- 
blem of the god ; and it is attended by a priest or Pujari of the 
cast called & atanana. To this place all the Baydaru of the neigh- 
bourhood once a year resort. The Pujari then dresses some victuals ; 
and having consecrated them, by placing- them before the idol, he 
divides them among the people. Trimula, it must be observed, is 
the name of the hill at Tripathi, on which the celebrated temple of 
Vishnu, under the name of Vencaty Rdmana, is built. The Baydaru 
never pi ay to any of the Saktis, except Marima , who inflicts the 
small-pox on those who offend her. To this terrible power they 
offer sacrifices, and eat the flesh. Their Guru is Trimula Tata Achd- 
rya, an hereditary chief of the Sri Vaishnaxxlm Brahmans , who gives 
CHAPTER 
VI. 
July 21. 
i / 
- 
