88 HINDU * CASTES. 



(A similar cereimmy existed in Greece in the last half 

 of the fifth century, B.C., analogous in sentiment as 

 luell as solemnity of the sacred rite, of ivJtich Grote 

 relates — Vol. vi., p. 368 — that "at Athens, and also at 

 Argos, on the festival of Plynteria the statue of the 

 goddess Athene was stripped of all its ornaments, and 

 washed or bathed under a mysterious ceremonial by 

 appointed priestesses and other women J' ) 



Transmio^ratlon of the soul is one of the tenets of 

 the Hindus, as it is that of the Buddhists, with a 

 different interpretation, hovvevei', as to its ultimate 

 fate, or rather absorption, as will be seen when we 

 come to discuss Buddhism in Chapter VI. Another 

 custom of the former is to tie their garments on the 

 right shoulder like the Parsees, in opposition to the 

 Mussulmen. 



The institution of " caste " amongst Hindus is 

 part of their religion, and Europeans residing in 

 India suffer much from it, as it prevents the general 

 usefulness of an individual ; every man can only follow 

 a certain trade, or do, touch, and eat a certain thing, 

 according to his caste, of which there are four prin- 

 cipal ones. Firstly, the Brahmins, or priestly class, 

 the highest and most reverenced of all ; secondly, the 

 Kshatriyas, or military ; thirdly, the Vaisyas, or hus- 

 bandmen and merchants ; and fourthly, the Sudras, 



