Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 168

GURUS ATTACHED TO PRINCES
128
simhasana of the Vishnavites is in the sacred town of
Tirupati in the Carnatic. There a kind of arch-pontiff (the
Mahant) resides, whose jurisdiction extends over almost
the whole of the Peninsula.
Brahmins are also, as a rule, the gurus of the various
sects of Hindus who are more tolerant than those just
mentioned, that is to say, those who worship both Vishnu
and Siva.
The high
priest or the guru belonging to one sect has no
authority over any other. Neither his prasadam l nor his
curse, nor his blessing would carry any weight with them
and it is very rarely that you hear of priests overstepping
the limits of their own jurisdiction.
People of very high rank, such as kings or princes, have
a guru exclusively attached to their households who accom-
panies them everywhere. They prostrate themselves daily
at the guru's feet and receive from him the prasadam or
When they travel
gift, and the asirvadam, or blessing.
but if they are
the guru is always in close attendance
going to take part in a war or any other dangerous ex-
pedition, the holy man takes care to remain prudently
behind. He usually contents himself under these circum-
stances with bestowing his blessing and giving some small
present or amulet, which he has consecrated, and which,
possesses the infallible virtue of
if carefully preserved,
averting all misfortunes to which they might be exposed
,
;
;
when
far from their spiritual guide.
Princes, from motives of ostentation, affect to keep their
gurus in great splendour, with the result that the latter's
extravagant pomp often exceeds their own. Besides giving
them many very valuable presents, they also endow them
with land yielding large revenues. Hindu high priests
never appear in public except in magnificent state. They
like best to show off all their splendour when they are
making a tour in their districts. They either ride on
a richly caparisoned elephant or in a superb palanquin.
Many have an escort of cavalry, and are surrounded by
guards both mounted and on foot, armed with pikes and
other weapons. Bands of musicians playing all sorts of
1
&c.,
Prasada means literally serenity, cheerfulness, kindness, favour,
and it has come to mean food or anything offered to an idol.' Ed.
'