MYSORE, CANARA, AND MALABAR. 
21 
as the noble cast of Br&hmans could wish, many of that sacred order CHAPTER 
have been obliged to betake themselves to what they consider as 
unworthy employments, such as being governors and judges of cities, 
collectors of revenue, and accomptants ; nay some even condescend 
to cultivate the earth by means of slaves. Hence arises the dis- 
tinction of Brahmans into Vaidika and Lokika , or Lomdica; the former 
of whom follow the proper duties of the cast, while the Lokika de- 0 
base themselves by dedicating their labours to worldly affairs. The 
diversity of employment, however, does not create an absolute dis- 
tinction of cast ; the daughter of a Vaidika Brahman may marry a 
Lokika , and the son of a Lokika may betake himself to the occupa- 
tions of a Vaidika Brahman ; but instances of either circumstance 
are not common. It is however not so unusual for a poor Vaidika , 
to be tempted to give his daughter to a wealthy Lokika Brcihman ; 
as for the son of a Lokika Brahman to acquire the character of a 
pure Vaidika. He is always considered as a new man ; and several 
generations, devoted to study and mortification, would be required 
to wash away the stain of ignoble birth, before the merits or 
learning of a Lokika family could enable them to procure a com- 
fortable subsistence by charity. 
The Brahmans are considered as the priests of the Hindus ; yet 
there are none, even of the lowest among the Lokika , who would 
intermarry with the families of the Brcihmans that officiate in the 
temples of Vishnu and Sim : and in this country no Brahman of- 
ficiates in any of the temples of the inferior gods, whose altars 
are stained with blood. 
The highest among the Brahmans are certain Vaidika , who by more 
than usual mortification attain a large proportion of divine favour. 
They cut off their hair ; dress in a yellow or red cloth ; eat but 
once a day ; abstain entirely from women ; and, relinquishing all the 
domestic enjoyments of society, live in Pagodas , or matams , that 
is to say convents, where they dedicate their time entirely to de- 
votion, and the instruction of those who are less pious, and who 
