The Komatis employ Brahmans for the performance of their ceremonial rites, and recognise a Brahman as their guru. He is commonly called Bhaskaracharya, after the individual of that name who lived at Penukonda prior to the sixteenth century A.D., and translated the Sanskrit Kanyaka Purana into a Telugu poem. He made certain regulations for the daily conduct of the Komatis, and made the 102 gotras submit to them. A copy of an inscription on a copper plate, in the possession of one Kotta Appaya, the Archaka or priest of the Nagareswaraswami temple at Penukonda, is given in the Mackenzie manuscripts. It records a grant (of unknown date) to Bhaskaracharya, the guru of the Vaisyas, by the 102 gotrams, according to which each family agreed for ever afterwards to give half a rupee for every marriage, and a quarter of a rupee for each year. Such doles are common even at the present day to his successors. These, like the original Bhaskaracharya, who is considered to be an incarnation of Brahma, are house-holders, and not Sanyasis (religious ascetics). There are several of them, in different parts of the country, one for example being at Penukonda, and another near Hospet, who makes periodical tours in state, with drums, silver maces, and belted peons, and is received with every mark of respect. He settles disputes, levies fines, and collects subscriptions towards the upkeep of his mutt (religious institution), which is also supported by inam (rent-free) lands. The Komati dead, except children and Lingayats, are cremated, Lingayat Komatis, like other Lingayats, bury their dead in a sitting posture. The death ceremonies among the Gavaras closely resemble those of Brahmans. The period of death pollution is sixteen days, during which sweets are taboo.