OF MALABAR. 



179 



The first class Tamprakal. They have no sub-division. 

 Their privileges are — (1), Bhadrasanam, or the chief seat in 

 an assembly ; (2), Brahma Samrajyam or Brahminical sover- 

 eignty ; (3), Brahma Yarchas or holiness resulting from the 

 study and observance of the Vedas ; and (4), Sarvamanyam or 

 universal respectability. At the present day there is only a 

 single family in the whole of Malabar who are of this class. 

 They are called the Aluvanchery Tamprakal. 



The second class has also no sub-division. Their privilege 

 is to attain beatitude without the due performance of Yagas 

 (sacrifices). 



The third class contains three sub-divisions. (1), Akkithiri 

 or those who have performed the ceremony called Agnichayana; 



(2) , SomdtMri or those who have performed the Somaydga; and 



(3) , Atithiri or those who have performed the ceremony called 

 Adhana, 



There is nothing special to be noticed in the fourth class* 

 The next class is divided into four sub-divisions : 



(1) . The Ashta Vaidyan or 8 physicians. 



(2) . Those who have become soldiers. 



(3) . Those who are either physically or mentally incapable 



of reading the Vedas. 



(4) . Those who have become the slaves to passions, and 



hence do not read the Vedas. 



The Sanketikas who form the next class have 6 sub- 

 divisions ; they are known at the present day as Emprans. 



1. Akkaradesi. 4- Tiruvalladesi. 



2. Ikkaradesl. 5. Carnatacadesi. 



3. Trippuni thuradesi. ) 6. Toulan. 



The next class comprise those who are not permitted to 

 read the Vedas. The cause of this is their doubting the 

 identity of Sri ParaSurania. 



