168 A Disputation respecting Caste, by Asuu Guosn4. 
never eats flesh; and never hurts a sentient thing. The second sign is, 
that he never takes that which belongs to another without the owner’s con- 
sent, even though he find it in the road. The third sign, that he masters 
all worldly affections and desires, and is absolutely indifferent to earthly 
considerations. The fourth, that whether he is born a man, or a god, or 
a beast, he never yields to sexual desires. The fifth, that he possesses the 
following five pure qualities, truth, mercy, command of the senses, universal 
benevolence, and penance.* Whoever possesses these five signs of Brah- 
manhood I acknowledge to be a Brahman; and, if he possess them not, he 
isa Sudra. Brahmanhood depends not on race (Kult), or birth (Jat), nor 
on the performance of certain ceremonies. If a Bhanddl is virtuous, and 
possesses the signs above noted, he is a Brahman. Oh! Yupuisruira, 
formerly in this world of ours there was but one caste. The division into 
four castes originated with diversity of rites and of avocations. All men 
were born of woman in like manner. All are subject to the same physical 
necessities, and have the same organs and senses. But he whose conduct 
is uniformly good is a Brahman ; and if it be otherwise he is a Sudra; aye, 
lower than a Sudra. The Sudra who, on the other hand, possesses these 
virtues is a Brahman. 
Oh, Yupuistuira! Ifa Sudra be superior to the allurements of the five 
senses, to give him charity is a virtue that will be rewarded in heaven. Heed 
not his caste; but only mark his qualities. Whoever in this life ever does 
well, and is ever ready to benefit others, spending his days and nights in 
good acts, such an one is a Brahman; and whoever, relinquishing worldly 
ways, employs himself solely in the acquisition of Moksha, such an one also 
is a Brahman; and whoever refrains from destruction of life, and from 
worldly affections, and evil acts, and is free from passion and backbiting, 
such an onealso is a Brahman; and whoso possesses Kshema, and Daya, and 
Dama,aud Ddn,and Satya,and Souchana,and Smritti, and Ghrina, and Vidya, 
and Vijnan, &c. isa Brahman. Oh, Yupuistuira! if a person perform the 
Brahmacharya for one night, the merit of it is greater than that of a 
thousand sacrifices (yajna). And whoso has read all the Vedas, and per- 
* The word in the original is Tapas, which we are accustomed to translate “ penance,” and 
I have followed the usage, though “ascetism” would be a better word. The proud Tapasyi, 
whom the very gods regard with dread, never dreams of contrition and repentance, 
