‘The joinŭs,’ says Dr. F. Buchanan, ‘are spread all over India; but at present are not numerous any where, except in Toolŭvŭ. They allege, that formerly they extended over the whole of Aryŭ, or Bhŭrŭtŭ-kŭndŭ; and that all those who had any just pretensions to be of kshŭtriyŭ descent, were of their sect. It no doubt appears clear, that, in the south of India, many powerful princes were their followers, till the time of Ramanoojŭ-acharyŭ.’

This sect is said to owe its rise to Rishŭbhŭ-dévŭ, a Hindoo; who is said, in the Kŭlpŭ-sōōtrŭ, a joinŭ shastrŭ, from which the greater part of the following account is extracted, to have been incarnate thirteen times. The Kŭlpŭ-sōōtrŭ gives the periods of these births, and declares, that at his last appearance, Rishŭbhŭ was born in the family of Ikshwakoo; his father's name was Nabhee, his mother's Mŭroo, (the Shrēē-Bhagŭvŭtŭ calls her Méroo.) At this time, says the same work, men were in an uncivilized state, supported not by their labour, but by the fruits of trees, (kŭlpŭ-vrikshŭ,) which supplied spontaneously all their wants, and under which they dwelt, having no houses. The gods descended at the birth of Rishŭbhŭ, and, when he was grown to maturity, Indrŭ came from heaven to give him in marriage.