Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 3.djvu/134

 NAIT RAM.—SUNAT BRAHMIN. (141)

AIT RAAI is a Brahmin (and therefore a Hindoo) of the Sunat sect, and he resides at Coel, but originally came from Gmnva, in the district of Budaon. Brahmins of this sect are not numerous. They are for the most part cultivators, but some of them are priests and mendicant friars. They worship the Ganges, and sometimes go on pilgrimages to the temple of "Jwalajee;" othermse their habits are settled, and their general disposition is peaceful. They live on bread, pulse, vegetables, sweetmeats, and milk, and avoid animal food and spirits. They ordinarily attain the age of fifty or sixty years.

Nait Ram is forty-four years of age, and five feet six inches in height, of dark complexion, with grey eyes and black hah-. He is a follower of Siva or Mahadeo, as may be seen by the horizontal marks on his forehead, and a teeka or circular spot in the centre. This may be of ground sandal wood, or white earth ground up with water. Or it may be red if he worships Kali or Devi, thus combining the adoration of husband and wife. The marks on his breast and arms are also of sandal wood, which he has nibbed upon a stone kept for the purpose until of the consistence of thick cream. Into this he has dipped the ends of the fingers of his right hand, and painted himself in stripes after his usual fashion, inserting large dots in various places, as well for effect as for the protection of his principal muscles and the vital parts of his body from evil influence. By his beard, the mark across the bridge of his nose, his scanty waist cloth, and rag cast over his head, as well as by his beads and staff, he appears to be a mendicant friar or priest, perhaps upon a pilgrimage. His "janwa," or Brahminical thread, the emblem of his rank as a Brahmin, is worn over his left shoulder, across his chest, and is tucked into his waistband. Nait Ram has apparently just performed his morning's devotions, a pait of which is the marking or painting of his body as he chants the usual hturgy of prayer and incantation. Thus he is purified during the day. In the evening he will bathe again, and wash off the paint, to be renewed with the morning devotions to the end of his life.