Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 160

SECTARIAN SQUABBLES
120
mendicants of both sects are specially apt to provoke
One may sometimes see these fanatics collected
together in crowds to support their opinion of the super-
strife.
excellence of their respective doctrines.
They will over-
whelm each other with torrents of abuse and obscene
insults, and pour forth blasphemies and imprecations, on
one side against Siva, on the other against Vishnu and
finally they will come to blows.
Fortunately blood is
seldom shed on these battle-fields. They content them-
selves with dealing each other buffets with their fists,
knocking off each other's turbans, and much tearing of
garments. Having thus given vent to their feelings, the
combatants separate by mutual consent.
That these religious dissensions do not set the whole
country ablaze, or occasion those crimes of all kinds which
were for centuries the result of religious fanaticism in
Europe and elsewhere, is due no doubt to the naturally
mild and timid character of the Hindus, and especially to
the fact that the greater number compound with their
consciences and pay equal honour to Vishnu and Siva.
Being thus free from any bias towards either party, the
latter serve as arbitrators in these religious combats, and
often check incipient quarrels.
There is no doubt, however, that these controversies
were wont to excite general ferment in several provinces
at no very remote date.
The agitation, excited in the first
instance by fanatical devotees, was further fomented by
the Rajahs and other princes, who became Vishnavites or
Sivaites according as it suited their political interests.
Those who are acquainted with the character and dis-
position of the Bairagis and Goshais of the north, and of
the Dasari, Andis, Jangamas, and Pandarams in the south,
are fully persuaded that it would still be quite easy for
two ambitious and hostile princes to arm these fanatics
and persuade them to come to blows if they raised the
;
standard of Basava (the bull) on one
mania
(the
monkey) on the
side,
and
of
Hanu-
other.
In these religious squabbles, which still take place occa-
appear to be the more fanatical
and fervent, and they are almost always the aggressors.
The reason is, that this sect draws most of its members
sionally, the Vishnavites