History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s13.9

v3.c41.s13.9

“The worshippers of these idols kill sheep and buffaloes with axes (Kuthāra) that they may nourish themselves with their blood.” This is a strange observation, perhaps taken from the Tāntric worship of Devī and not from actual observation. With regard to the pujaris of the different gods, Al-Beruni gives the following information: “To the idol of Viṣṇu are devoted the Bhāgavatas, to the idol of the sun the Magas, to the idol of Mahādeva, “anchorites with long hair, who cover their skin with ashes, hang on their persons the bones of dead people and swim in the pools”. (p. 120). This observation is supported by inscriptions of the period, especially with regard to the worshippers of Mahādeva. Thus in the Badaun inscription (E. I. I p. 64) there are two Śaiva ascetics described at length. The first named Varmāśiva was an inhabitant of Anahilpāṭaṇa who in his boyhood, while in the Deccan country, removed an idol put up by the Bauddhas and who in later age by his austerities and learning became famous. He came to Badaun in his wandering and was placed in charge of a Śiva maṭha built by one Rulha, a Divira minister to the king of Badaun. The other ascetic was originally “a Brahmin in the Hariyāna country (round Delhi) who gave up wealth and the world for the worship of Śiva. His disciple a Gauḍaja (of Gauḍa country) Brahmin with Vatsagotra having five pravaras and named Iśānaśiva, was placed on the throne of ascetics by his guru after due trial. He built a fine Śiva temple, with a high pinnacle in that city of Bharata with the help of the same minister Rulha to the king of Badaun and the temple was given in charge of the first ascetic”. From this description Śaivite ascetics appear to be both Brahmins and non-Brahmins and they followed the same severe austerities and pious mode of life. The non-Brahmin ascetic was usually entrusted with the worship of the deity in Śiva temples, as is the practice even now. Many inscriptions speak similarly of Śaivite ascetics being placed in charge of temples. Thus the Bheraghat inscription of Ālhaṇadevi speaks of a Lāṭa ascetic* being placed in charge of a Śiva temple built by her (E. I. I p. 52); and two Śiva temples built by a Brahmin ascetic of the Vātsava gotra and by Gaṅgādhara a pious and learned Brahmin of Madhyadeśa are mentioned as placed in charge of Śaiva ascetics in E. I. II (p. 52 and 41).