Bible Encyclopedias
Dandis

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

one of the Vaishnava (q.v.) sects among the Hiindus, and, a legitimate representative of the fourth Asrama or mendicant life, into which the Hindu is believed to enter after passing the previous stages of, student, househoulder, and hermit. A Brahmin, however, does not require to pass through the previous stages, but is allowed to enter at once into the, fourth: order. The Dandi is distinguished by carrying a, small dand or wand, with several projections from it, and a piece of cloth dyed with red ochre, in which: the Brahminical cord is supposed to be enshrined, I attached to it; he shaves his hair and beard, wears, only a loin-cloth, and subsists upon food obtained ready dressed from the houses of the Brahmins once a day only which he deposits in the small clay pot that he always carries with him. They are generally found in cities, collected, like other mendicants, in myths.

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Dandis'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​tce/​d/dandis.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.