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RELIGIOUS SECTS
or two years and a half. The whole expense of the establishment devolves upon the superior for the time being, and, as it is the object of each to outyie his predecessor, the charges are much heavier than the receipts of the institution, and, in order to provide for them, the Sannyásís employ the intervals of their temporary charge in travelling about the country, and levying contribution on their lay votaries, the amount of which is frequently very large, and is appropriated for the greater part to defray the costs of the occasional pontificate.
The eight Maths are all in Tuluva, below the Gháts?, but, at the same time, MADHWÁCHÁRYA authorised the foundation of others above the Gháts under PADMANÁbha Tirtha, to whom he gave images of Ráma, and the Vyúsa Sálagrám, with instructions to disseminate his doctrines, and collect money for the use of the shrine at Udipi: there are four establishments under the descendants of this teacher above the Gláts, and the superiors visit Udipi from time to time, but never officiate there as pontiffs.
The superiors, or Gurus, of the Madhwa sect, are Brahmans and Sannyásís, or profess cenobitic observances: the disciples, who are domesticated in the several Maths, profess also perpetual celibacy. The
BUCHANAN states them at 13,000 Rupees at least, and often exceeding 20,000.
? They are at Kánúr, Pejáwar, Admár, Phalamár, Krishnapur, Sirúr, Sode, and Putti.
