Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 3.djvu/157

 GUNGA SAHAI. (147)

UNGA SAHAI is a Brahmin. His name is derived from the sacred river Ganges, the object of Hindoo veneration. He is fifty-five years of age, and five feet six inches in height.

Although Brahmins are considered by Hindoos of other castes generally to be sacred, if not indeed emanations of divinity, and to possess the right of hereditary priesthood of the people, yet the reverence paid to them is by no means imiform, nor do they in all cases exercise the profession of priesthood. They are divided into two main classes—one, "Loukik," or "secular;" the other, "Vaidik," who follow sacred callings. To these a third class may be added—"Bheekuk," or those whose sole support is begging and the alms of the charitable. These classes are subdivided in every part of India into an infinity of sects, some of which do, and others do not, intermarry with each other. Brahmins may be considered to be divided into ten great nations, five of which belong to Northern, and five to Southern India, but there is little or no connection between them. The Brahmins of Northern India are held in small repute by those of the south, and vice versa. Independent of differences by birth, calling, and vocation, there are divisions by sects and the adoption of particular creeds, and the worship of particular divinities. Hence there are followers of Siva (Mahadeo) and Vishnu, and of Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu; and the latter, with the Vishnuvites, are probably the most numerous. A large proportion also are followers of Doorga or Devi. In short, it is impossible, Avithin the limits of this article, to give an adequate detail of the divisions and subdivisions of Brahminical belief In regard to sacred professions: some are literally priests, who perform ceremonies, and make offerings for other Brahmins, assisting at household offices, daily prayers, purifications, marriages, and funeral ceremonies. They are engaged also to offer propitiatory rites to deities, to whom their employers may have made vows; to pray for rain, for children to barren women, or to make any extraordinary supplications. Others, and a