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BHABRA.
(226)

Some particulars of the Jain sect were given in No. 153 of Vol. III., in relation to the sect of Surongies. The Bhabras are another division of the Jains, differing little except in being more strict, if possible, in their caste observances. They are immigrants into the Punjab from Rajpootana, and are all merchants and traders: a gentle, quiet, inoffensive, money-getting class, of excellent character, and of very industrious habits. The Bhabras carry the desire not to take away life to an extreme degree: noxious vermin, wild beasts, and even insects, are included in the same category; and the contrivances not to destroy the latter, even in the purification and cleansing of their houses and apparel, is carried to such an extent as to affect their apparent cleanliness. The Jains eat no animal food, and their vegetables (all roots being forbidden, except garlic) are picked with the greatest care, so as to avoid the destruction of the insects which may be attached to them. Jains never eat after sunset, because, in so doing, some life might be taken unawares; and it is almost impossible to detail at length the almost absurd contrivances which are resorted to, in performance of this peculiar portion of their sectarian observance.

In the former article the separation of the Jains from Hindooism was noticed; but a more detailed account of their doctrines, as laid down in their principal religious work, the Kulpu Sootra, may not be out of place here. In his account of the Jains, Mr, Ward has summarized not only the Kulpu Sootra, but several articles in the Asiatic Researches, upon this curious and, at one period, little understood sect; and his text is followed in the present summary. Although denying the Hindoo Pantheon, and the general doctrines of Brahminism, the Jains nevertheless approach nearly to Hindooism in many particulars. They are divided into four great castes, which are carefully preserved from impurity; but the division is more nominal than real, as they eat with, though they do not marry with, each other. Their rites of marriage are the same as those of Hindoos, and they burn their dead; but they perform no ceremonies to the spirits of