OF BHARATAVARSA OR IKDIA. 
79 
their subversion by other kindred Dravidian tribes. Yet, 
considering the unstable nature of the Indian states, the 
continual disturbances and fighting which give to Indian 
history such an unpleasant and unsatisfactory appearance, 
there seems nothing peculiar in the claims advanced by those 
Pariahs, who are in reality the descendants of the original 
inhabitants. The Pariah calls himself to this day the elder 
brother of the Brahman, claiming in this manner precedence 
of the Brahman. The Brahmans on the other hand ascribe 
the origin of the Pariahs, Candalas, and other low castes to 
the connection of Brahman women with low caste men, or to 
the curse which sages, like Visvamitra, were so fond of utter- 
ing against their own flesh and blood, or against any one 
who was unfortunate enough to come across them at an 
inauspicious moment. The legend of the curse of Yisva- 
mitra's sons is interesting, as it ascribes to them the origin 
of some wild tribes like the Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, 
and Pulindas.^" 
The Pariahs have according to the NdnareUi eighteen 
titles like the Yellalar and possess also the same insignia.*' 
The chief goddess of the Pariahs is called Attdl or Atnmdl, 
mother, and represents Parvati as mother of the earth, while 
5" The elder fifty of tlie hundred sons of Visvamitra offended their father, 
and being cursed by him, became outcastes and the forefathers of all the 
wild tribes. 
According to an old tradition, found in the Puranas and retold in the 
Ktdasankaramdld of Veiikatacalacaryar of Eayapuram and in the Kanarese 
Soniesvaras'itaka, Vasistha waSthe son of TJrvasi, the famous divine prosti- 
tute, and the husband of a Candala woman of tlie Cakkili caste, who was in 
reality Arundhati, reborn as a Candall. A.S such she bore him one hundred 
sons, ninety-six of whom disobeyed their father and reverted to the Pancama 
(fifth) or Pariah caste, while the four others remained Brahmans. — Agastya 
was, as already intimated on p. 52, n. 25, in this birth the brother of Vasistha. 
^' Among these insignia are mentioned the following : white, earth-circle 
umbrellas ; lion, swan, green and white, monkey {HaHuman), cuckoo, plough- 
handle, wheel and lion faced flags ; a trumpet ; closely carried torches {aruku) 
and day torches ; victorious bells, two white chowries, white elephant ; 
white horse ; ivory palanquins ; cuscus fan, flute ; white petticoat, two poles 
with cloth across the street {makaratSrana), golden pot, &c. 
