yaṇa; regarding family the Komaṭiga[1] is Sarasijodbhava; and the Paṅchâḷa[2] is Viśvakarma. On the earth all the Brahmas form the Rudravam̃śa, all the kings the Harivam̃śa, all the Vaiśyas the Naḷisodhabvavam̃sa, and all the people of the Paṅchâḷa the Viśvakarmavam̃śa. The yajñopavîta of Parabrahma's knot is for the Brâhmaṇa; the yajñopavita of Hari's knot is for the Kshatriya; the yajñopavîta of Sarasijodbhava's knot is for the Vaiśya; the excellent (purama) yajñopavîta of Viśvakarma's knot is for the people of the Paṅchâḷa." By the order of Para Śiva they looked to their different families (vam̃śa), and joyfully took care of them. If, in this respect one enters that of the other, and people continue to pay regard to him who is spoiled as to family and has become an outcaste (jâtihina), offence will certainly be given. He who walks in the way of the family, and adores the deity of the family, obtains final liberation. To the yajñopavîta of the knot of the lord of many deities (i.e. of Śiva) the others are not equal; those who make them equal (to it) become great sinners, and go to a dreadful hell. Hear, O Gambhîra! The yajñopavîta of the knot of Parabrahma is quite equal in weight to the Rudrukshē; repeating the excellent paṅchâksharī (namaḥ śivâya) without uttering different words, and with excellent faith (bhakti), one has to prepare it and put it on; at that very moment all known and unknown sins will be burnt. He who undertakes a sacrifice (yajña) has to put on eighteen;[3] the other five. A grantha:
triliyamutture yal tu vastra-bhâve chaturthakam̃ ‖
pañchamam pratidosham̃ cha chhinnadosham̃ na vidyate |
or "One has to put on two for vedic and canonical ceremonies; one has to put on another to the north of Kâśi; one has to put on another for raiment, and one for the removal of guilt; so there are five." The Brâhmaṇa who puts (them) on is the very Para Śiva; the sins of him who bows down to (his) feet are destroyed ; he who declares this to be falsehood goes to hell. Thus said he (Gautama).
The king (Gambhira) asked: "O guru, Nandi's staff (kolu), the Mâyimartâpu, the Kirtimukha, the arms (toḷu) which are tied (to the staff), the lute (kinnari), &c., when did they come into existence? Gautama ṛishi, tell me!" He let Gambhîra know. When he (Satyaśivayogi) had told this, the king said: "Satyaśivayogi of Indudhara (Śiva), oblige thy child (by telling him the stories)!" He said : "By the favour of the husband of the moon-faced woman, of Hampû'a Virûpaksha liṅga, I shall tell."
Chapter XI.
Then Gambhîra said : "Nandi's staff (dhvaja), the Mâyimartâpu, the Kîrtimukha, the arms which are tied (to the staff), the lute, &c., when did they come into existence? O guru, tell me!" and joined his hands. The muni began (with the following praise): "When thou hadst become Śrî Brahmâ for the creation of the three worlds, thou becamest Vishṇu to preserve them, and becamest the grave Maheśvara to punish cruel beings, thou who art to the earth the Trimûrti, Hampē's Virûpâksha!"
3. Nandi's staff.
Hear! I shall lay open before thee all that Gautama râya told. Listen attentively, being comfortably seated! Hear, best of kings! I am going to tell thee the origin of Nandi's staff. The bad Râkshasa, called Lokamaya, was on earth. He became very strong and proud, and gave much trouble to the Suras. Then
- ↑ The Komaṭigas are merchants.
- ↑ The Paṅchâḷas are the five classes of handicraftsmen: the carpenter, blacksmith, brazier, goldsmith, and stoneoutter or mason.
- ↑ The purport of this translation, which follows the general rules of Kannada syntax, is not clear to me.
It is perhaps required to translate: "He who undertakes a sacrifice and the other (varnas), that are altogether eighteen, have to put on five."
The ashṭâdaśa varṇas are enumerated as follows: 1. Brâhmana, 2. Kshatriya, 3. Vaiśya, 4. Śûdra, 5. Vîra Śaiva, 6. Sâlēya (weavers), 7. Gôlla (cowherds), 8. Kumbhṛa (putters), 9. Paṅchṅa, 10. (illegible text) (washermen), 11. Nâyida (barbers), 12. Mlechchha (Musulmâns), 13. Beda or Kirâta (hunters), 14. Tumbūḷa (florista), 15. Bannagâru (dyers), 16. Jînagâya (painters, idolmakers, &c), 17. Holêya (low people, that serve, e.g. as gardeners, horsekeepers, &c.) 18. Mâdiga (shoemakers, curriers, &c.). However, to imagine that all these IS classes bare to put on one of the five janivâras is preposterona. All of them might wear the Liṅga.
About Śûdras Mr. Brown, in his Tēlugu Diotionary, remarks: Some Śûdras in the Gañjam district wear the thread (jandâ), and are called Kaḷiṅgas.
"The Tambaḷavâḍus, a class of beggars who worship Śiva and who best a drum… are generally Śûdras, but wear the sacred thread."
Regarding the Southern Marâṭha Country it has been stated by the late Rev. Mr. Wurth: "A portion of the weavers, about 200 years ago, separated from the Liñgânta community and formed a new sect, which is called the Derâñga sect. They have abolished the wearing of the Liñga, an assumed the holy thread. bead. Their priests are of their own caste." Suñderâchârya is said to have divided the original four castes into eighteen subdivisions, aud each of these again into four.
