ECCLESIASTICAL HIERARCHY 127
rather than run the risk of exposing themselves to their much-dreaded maledictions \
Each caste and each sect has its own particular gurus: but the latter are not all invested with equal authority
; a sort of hierarchy exists amongst them. Besides the vast
numbers of subordinate priests who are to be met with everywhere, each sect has a limited number of high priests
who exercise authority over the inferior gurus, deputing to them their powers of spiritual jurisdiction. These high
priests have also the right of degrading their inferiors from their position and of putting others in their places.
The residences of Hindu high priests are generally known by the name of simhasana 2. These simhasanas are to be found in various provinces of India. Each caste and each sect acknowledges one that specially belongs to it. For instance, the Brahmins who belong to the Smartha sect have a different guru from the Tatuvadi sect, and these again recognize a different one from the Vishnavite Brahmins.
The different branches of the sects of Vishnu and Siva have also their own particular gurus and high priests.
The Sri-Vaishnavas, for instance, acknowledge four simhasanas and seventy-two pitahs or supplementary establishments, where the inferior gurus reside, besides a multitude of subordinate ministers who are also called gurus.
The high priests, as well as the inferior priests belonging to the sect of Siva, are drawn entirely from the Sudra caste 3; but the greater number of the head gurus belonging to the Vishnavites are Vishnavite Brahmins, and they appoint the inferior clergy of that sect. The most famous
1
Times are changed since the days of the Abbe, and the gurus in most cases are the mere hangers-on of rich disciples. They may be able to exercise some influence over the illiterate and poor, but with the majority of the educated and well-to-do their influence is not very great. Ed.
2
This word may be translated ' throne.' It is derived from the two words simha, which means lion, and asana, which means a seat, because a high priest ' s throne ought to be covered with a lion ' s skin. Custom, however, has changed this for that of a tiger. Dubois. Sim? uisana is more correctly derived from the figure of a lion on the back of the seat. Ed.
3
This is not true. Ed.