ABSTRACT
The Vaishnava orders of Hindustan repel the religious classes of Bengal, who support but do not join them. The Rámánuja, Rámávat, and Nímávat fraternities choose disciples of Hindustání birth and high caste. The Rámánuja profess to admit Bráhman, Kshatriya, and clean `Súdra tribes; the Rámávat exclude all Bengali castes but enroll Hindustání `Súdras; and the Nímávat, rejecting even Kulin Bráhmans, enlist any clean `Súdra of Upper India. Mendicants belonging to these three classes are treated everywhere with respect, and receive alms from all ranks. The Dacca Rámávats, moreover, are entirely supported by rich Bengali gentlemen, and their Ákhá _ra is repaired by contributions raised by the Hindu population. Yet none of these orders have any hold on the affections of the masses, or any influence over their spiritual lives.
