Page:A Geographical, Statistical, and Historical Description of the District, or Zila, of Dinajpur.djvu/110

98 impure tribes are called Vorno; and occupy the next rank, but differences exist in their rank, according to the various degrees of their disciples’ impurity.

Next to Vornos are the Moruiporas, who read the funeral service over any person lower than a Brahmin. These are the lowest persons that are descended from the five tribes which were introduced by Adisur.

The Pujaris, or priests who officiate in temples, are considered as blameable for undertaking so low an office; but the Brahmins of the third order (Srotriyos), who usually accept of the office, are not on that account degraded from their rank, provided the temple has been built and endowed by a person of pure birth, such as a tradesman of the nine pure castes, and are the usual Gurus of the lower castes. The Pujari is indeed generally selected from the family of the founder’s Purohit. The temples founded by persons of low origin are served by Vorno Brahmins.

Brahmins of the five tribes, very unlike those of the south, not only act as Pujaris in temples where bloody sacrifices are made, but actually make the offering, and eat the meat. They are also permitted to eat fish and venison, with five other species of animals, namely, the rhinoceros, hare, porcupine, turtle, and a large kind of lizard (Sworno Gadhika). Few however avail themselves of any animal food except fish, and many abstain even from that indulgence.

Next in number to the five tribes are the Baidik Brahmins, a colony which also came from Kanyokubjo, but at a later period. I have not been able to ascertain the time; but they say, that they were introduced by Adityo Subuddhi Narayon Raja of Srihotto, which is north from Dhaka. I do not know what place is meant, unless it be Silhet. These Baidik Brahmins seem to have nearly the same customs with the five tribes, but are considered as higher, are not divided into three ranks, and none of them have betaken themselves to service, nor have any degraded themselves so as to become Vornos, nor scarcely any so much as to act as Gurus for Sudros of even the highest rank. By far the greater part of the Gurus of the five tribes are Baidiks, who excel in learning. From having settled in different parts of the country, they have separated into two tribes that do not intermarry, the one called Paschatyo, and the other Dakhyinatyo.

The Paschatyo, who are mostly settled in the N. E. parts of Bengal, are considered as rather the highest, and their hereditary chief and religious instructor (Guru) still resides at Srihotto. Among the Baidiks also there arose a person of great celebrity named, who openly professed the worship of Vishnú, and who having no children, instructed his pupils in that doctrine, which their descendants now adopt, and are called Chaitonyo Bongso, and Goswamis. The others conceal their sect, assume the title of Pandit Gurus, study the Tontros, and are by far the most numerous. The Baidiks do not indulge themselves in numerous wives like the higher ranks of the five tribes, and seldom, if ever, taste even fish. They offer sacrifices, but do not eat the flesh. None of them are Pujaris nor priests in temples.

In Dinajpúr are many persons calling themselves Brahmins, but neither the five tribes nor the Baidiks acknowledge them as such, nor as descended from the sacred persons who proceeded from the mouth of Brahma. Some pretend that their ancestors were created by, and this seems to be their own opinion, as they call themselves Vyasokto. A circumstance, said to be related in the Sri Mohabharat, will perhaps throw some light on the subject. , the father of Vyas, was on a certain day near the river, and observed a fisherman (Kaiborto), who had a most beautiful girl in his boat. The Gymnosophist could not resist the violence of the desire with which he was seized, but went into the boat, and impregnated the beauty with Vyas, who cannot well be considered as a Brahmin,