AVADOUTAS, a sect of Indian Brahmins, who in austerity surpass all the rest, covering their nakedness with a piece of cloth only, some of them even dispensing with that, and besmearing their bodies with cow-dung. When hungry some enter into houses, and, without speaking, hold out their hands, eating on the spot whatever is given them. Others retire to the sides of holy rivers, and there expect the peasants to bring them provisions, which they generally do very liberally. See HINDUSTAN.