122 SECTARIAN SUBDIVISIONS
of Siva, and who always wear the emblem of this deity.
The sect of Vishnavite Brahmins appears to have originated in Dravida or Aravam( the Tamil country). From there they spread over the provinces up to the Kistna, where they have retained, to the present day, their own peculiar customs and language, as well as their own cult.
The Brahmins who inhabit the country north of this river have never permitted these stubborn schismatics to settle amongst them.
The feeling of aversion which orthodox Brahmins entertain for the Vishnavite Brahmins is shared by Hindus of all castes. A stigma of reproach appears to cling to them.
It cannot be the case, however, that the disfavour with which they are regarded is entirely due to their exclusive worship of Vishnu. I think it must be largely imputed to their excessive pride and arrogance, their extreme severity, and their supercilious manners; for though all Brahmins share these characteristics, it is generally acknowledged that the Vishnavites display them in an intensified form.
Be the reason what it may, there is no denying that the
Vishnavites form a class by themselves in society. The antipathy which these two orders of Brahmins feel for each other is noticeable on all occasions. The members of one sect never invite members of the other to eat with
them, or to participate in their civil or religious feasts; and when one of them is raised to a position of authority,
it is on persons of his own sect that his patronage is bestowed.
The two sects of Vishnavites and Sivaites are each subdivided into several others, which are known under the general term of Malias or Mattancharas. Amongst the Vishnavites, for instance, there are the Vaishnavas, the Tatuvadis, the Bamojus, the Satanis, & c, sub-sects w T hich again are divided into a great many others. For instance, amongst the Vaishnavas there are the Vaishnava-triamalas, the Kandalas, the Nallaris, & c.
The Jogis, the Jangamas, the Voderus, the Viraktas, the Bolu-Jangamas, the Vira-seivas, & c, belong to the Sivaites.
Each of these sub-sects has its own peculiar tenets, mysteries, mantrams, sacrifices; in fact, some points of