(A similar ceremony existed in Greece in the last half
o f the fifth century, B.C., analogous in sentiment as
well as solemnity of the sacred nte, of which Grote
relates Vol. vi., p. 368—that “ at Athens, and also at
Argos, on the festival o f 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.’’)
Transmigration of the soul is one of the tenets of
the Hindus, as it is that of the Buddhists, with a
different interpretation, however, 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 principal
ones. Firstly, the Brahmins, or priestly class,
the highest and most reverenced of a ll; secondly, the
Kshatriyas, or military ; thirdly, the Yaisyas, or husbandmen
and merchants; and fourthly, the Sudras,
or artisans and labourers. The latter or lowest caste
can only be employed in the meanest and most servile
duties, and is looked upon by all others as an outcast
; he dare not enter the hut of even a Vaisya,
much less eat with him. I t is this system of caste,
rather than the effect of an enervating climate, which
necessitates in India a numerous staff of servants.
Mr. Lewis Rice, in his excellent “ Gazetteer of Mysore,”
published in 1877, gives 413 as the known
number of castes.
There is a remarkable difference in the bearing
of a Hindu and that of a Mussulman; the former is
commonly fawning and obsequious, seldom looking
you in the face, but letting his eyes wander about,
whilst the latter is always quiet, calm, and self-
possessed ; the former is as licentious as the latter is on
the whole moral and sober.
The happiest life at Benares lead the cow and the
monkey, both sacred to the Brahman ; they fill street
and temple, and are never interfered with ; they are
fed and tended, and no one would think of giving them
a kick, even on the sly, to get them to move out of his
path.
The native houses at Benares are mostly painted
on the outside in glaring colours, often designing
mythological objects as gods, or brutes with several