As central
authority, the Satras also diffuse spiritual
education, regulate and control religious life and also administer moral discipline on the
laity through the agency of the Namghars. The Satras very much encourage literacy and learning
among the laity. They enforce that not only theBhaktas
should study but the laity also should read regularly the Vaishnava Sastras and remember
them by heart. The Satra functionaries very
frequently visit the outlying villages, come into close contact with the laity, make
earnest effort-to familiarize them with liturgical and religious texts. They hold in the Namghars special religious discourses and recitals. In expounding the scriptures, they always bring them down to practical
issues, with the idea of giving the people guidance for everyday living. They
occasionally enquire into their faults and failings in religious life and recommend
penance and punishment The Satradhikar’s
accompanied by Satra functionaries pay periodical
visits to the
villages, and stay either in the Namghars or Bahars, temporary camps. |