Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 3.djvu/138

Rh in forests, where they practise the severest ascetic rites, and subject themselves vohintarily to extreme privations.

Others of the fraternity, however, inhabit cities, and in many instances carry on business as bankers to a large extent, and with great strictness; taking large usury, and enforcing then demands, especially in native states, by violent means. They also trade in gold and silver, in brocades and shawls, and in jewels, especially pearls. Many of the Gosaen bankers are men of immense wealth, who carry on exchange transactions all over India. In no case can a Gosaen marry. He must adopt chélas or disciples, who may be of any caste or sect of Hindoos; and wealthy men do this to a large extent, including illegitimate children, if any— these disciples becoming their agents, assistants, or menial servants, according to their degree. Before death one of the chélas is declared heir, and succeeds to the property of the deceased, maintaining his brother chelas as before. Gosaens frequently also betake themselves to military service mth native princes. The Peshwah Bajie Rao had a large number of them in his army, who fought well on several occasions; and the memory of the Hindoo king of Kanouj's Gosaen body guard is famous among the traditions of India. While other Hindoos are burned, or bmied in the usual manner, Gosaens are buried in a sitting posture, and tombs are invariably built over them, in the centre of which is placed a plant of toolsee or sweet basil.

It is difficult to say when the sect originated or where, and the traditions of the Gosaens themselves are in the last degree confused and uncertain; but it probably arose upon the doctrines of Patanjali, which were the foundation of all Indian asceticism. The temple of Ek Linga, near Oodipoor in Marwar, dedicated to Siva, is peculiarly their 0Aai, and the fi'aternity make pilgrimages to it from all parts of India.

Gosaens are uniformly charitable. The wealthier classes give largely to the poor, and a daily dole of good bread is the customary ceremony of every prosperous house or monastery. Even the poorer members of the fraternity share the produce of then daily alms with distressed people, nor will any hungry traveller ever be turned away without food from a Gosaens mutt, whatever his caste may be.