Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/288

 240 AN EARLY DUTCH ACCOUNT OF INDIA olden times the race of nobles had only two branches, whereof the first was called Souriwansjam (Sanskrit surya-vamsa, " of the solar race "), and had their name from the sun, since souri signifieth " sun " in Sams- cortam (Sanskrit), which is a language wherein all BRAHMAN PRIESTS AT RAMESWAUA, SOUTHERN INDIA. the mysteries of heathendom are writ, and which is esteemed among the Braynin es like as the Latin tongue among the learned in Europe. These are so named because they are the true stock of nobles. The other branch is called Somowansjam (Sanskrit soma-vamsa, 11 of the lunar race ") and have their name from the moon, since in the language aforesaid somo betokeneth " moon." Besides these two branches, there are many