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OF THE HINDUS.
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burnt cowdung from an oblation offered to the god'. They also adopt the initiating Mantra of all the Saiva classes, either the five or six syllable Mantra, “Nama Sivaya," or, "Om, Nama Siváya." The genuine Dandi, however, is not necessarily of the Saiva or any other sect; and in their establishments it will be usually found that they profess to adore Nirguna or Niranjana, the deity devoid of attribute or passion2.
1 The material, or Vibhiti, and the efficacy of the mark, the Tripundra, are thus described in the Kásikhanda:
आग्नेयमुच्यते भस्म दग्धगोमयसम्भवं । तदेव द्रव्यमित्युक्तं त्रिपुण्ड्रस्य महामुने ॥
"The ashes of fire made with burnt cowdung are the material fittest for the Tripundra."
त्रिपुण्ड्रं कुरुते यस्तु भस्मना विधिपूर्वकम् । महापातकसङ्घातैर्मुच्यते चोपपातकैः ॥ अमन्त्रेणापि यः कुर्यादज्ञात्वा महिमोन्नतिं । त्रिपुण्ड्रं भालफलके मुच्यते सर्वपातकैः ॥
“Whoever marks the Tripudra with ashes, agreeably to rule, is purified from sins of the first and second degree: who makes it on his forehead without the Mantras, being ignorant of its virtue, will be purified from every simple sin." The mode of making it is thus laid down:
भ्रुवोर्मध्ये समारभ्य यावदन्तो भवेद्ध्रुवोः । मध्यमानामिकाङ्गुल्योर्मध्ये तु प्रतिलोमतः ॥ अङ्गुष्ठेन कृता रेखा त्रिपुण्ड्राख्याभिधीयते।
"Beginning between the eye-brows, and carrying it to their extremity, the mark made with the thumb reverted between the middle and third fingers is called the Tripudra.” [Vrihadbrahmottarakhada 28, 41. 42. quoted in Catal. Codd. MSS. Sanscrit. Bibl. Bodl. I, p. 74.]
2 The Dandis of the North of India are the Sannyasis, or monastic portion of the Smarta Brahmanas of the South, of
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