OF BHARATATAKSA OE INDIA. 
97 
in the marriage ceremonial, the meaning of which he pro- 
bably does not know. Considering how jealous the Brahman 
priests are of keeping secret their sacred verses, it is very 
strange indeed that the Valluvar knows and uses some of 
them. This knowledge must have been acquired long ago, 
perhaps at a time when friendly relations still existed 
between the Brahman settlers and the original population. 
He is most probably the representative of the ruling class 
of ancient times, and his name can still be easily discerned, 
as it is preserved in historical records and geographical 
accounts. I need only mention the VaUuvakdn, of Valluva- 
nadu, the king of the Valluvar, who presided at the great 
assembly of Keralam, when a new Perianal was chosen every 
twelfth year to rule over the whole of Malayalam. I 
pointed out some years ago the connection which exists 
between the Valluvar and Pallavas and shall recur to this 
question later on. 
All this splendour of the Valluvan has departed and he 
is now known only as the priest of the Pariahs and Pallar. 
He occupies the highest position among the Pariahs, while 
his name connects him with the Pallar, and among the 
kindred of the latter, i.e., among the Pulayar of Cochin, the 
Valluvar still rank highest. We may perhaps be justified 
in regarding him as representing a link between the first 
and second Dravidian stage. 
This suggestion will naturally be repudiated by the 
Valluvar, for they regard themselves as much superior to 
the people committed to their spiritual charge. 
To accept the assertions of every individual Hindu would 
be to admit a separate creation for each tribe, sect, trade, 
profession, and calling. The pride of caste, even among 
the lowest in the country, the tendency towards exclusi '^e- 
ness, and the firm belief in individual superiority combined 
with a strong spirit of conservatism, divide the Indian popu- 
lation into innumerable sections. And as if the existing 
