Sketch of the Religious Sects of the Hindus c5.27

c5.27

notions, as well as in these respects, approach to the present followers of RA'MA'NUJA, although they cannot be regarded as exactly the same. The authorities of these three sects were the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gitá. The names of both the sects still remain, but they are scarcely applicable to any particular class of Vaishnavas : the term Bhakta, or Bhagat, usually indicates any individual who pretends to a more rigid devotion than his neighbours, and who especially occupies his mind with spiritual considerations : the Bhágavat is one who follows particularly the authority of the Sri Bhágavat Purána.