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RELIGIOUS SECTS
mentator on the texts of the Vedas, who, however, admitted disciples from the Brahmanical cast only, and considered the state of the Sannyásí, or ascetic, as essential to the communication of his doctrines. He was succeeded by JNÁNA DEVA, who was followed by Náma Deva and TriLOCHANA, and they, although whether immediately or not does not appear, by VALLABHA Swámi, the son of LAKSHMAÑA BHAří, a Tailinga Brahman: this. Sannyásí taught early in the sixteenth century: he resided originally at Gokul, a village on the left bank of the Jamna, about three cos to the east of Mathurá: after remaining here sometime, he travelled through India as a pilgrim, and amongst other places he visited, according to the Bhakta Málá, the court of KŔishŃA DEVA, king of Vijayanagar, apparently the same as KŘisuŇA RÁTALC, who reigned about the year 1520, where he overcame the Smárta Brahmans in a controversy, and was elected by the Vaishnavas as their chief, with the title of Achári: hence he travelled to Ujayin, and took up his abode under a Pipal tree, on the banks of the Siprá, said to be still in existence, and designated as his Baithak, or station. Besides this, we find traces of him in other places. There is a Baithak of his amongst the Gháts of Muttrá, and about two miles from the fort of Chanár is a place called his well, Achárj kúán, comprising a temple and Math, in the court yard of which is the well in question; the saint is said to have resided here sometime. After this peregrination ValLABHA returned to Brindávan, where, as a reward for
