[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Travellers (1500–1858)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel) › [Storia do Mogor](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci) › [Storia do Mogor (Irvine)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine) › 254.2.7 # Storia do Mogor 254.2.7 Storia do Mogor (Irvine) 254.2.7 - **Language:** English ### [254.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.254.2.7) There is another class of persons called Nostiguer (?Nastika), who not only may not be looked upon when eating, but may not hear the sound of any human voice while so occupied. So far is this carried \[116\] that, when eating, they cause a copper vessel to be beaten hard at their door. Men of this caste do not allow their beard to be touched, either by the razor or by scissors, but it is dragged out, hair by hair, with a small pincers. The first time that the pulling out of the hair of the head and beard is begun, if the patient betrays no sign of pain, he is accepted as a firm disciple ; if, on the contrary, he weeps, cries, or makes faces, they say he is too tender, and thereby unworthy to be admitted into the confraternity. These men are not the only ones who may not be seen eating, for other castes may not look at Brahmans who are eating. In regard to this these Hindus have a rather amusing habit. The Brahmans, according to their view, are the noblest family of all mankind, and the one most venerated, not merely as superiors, but as gods. Other castes cannot wait on them or fetch them water, nor cook for them. They must wait upon each other for these two purposes, or do it each for himself. With all that, however, they may carry water and cook for the other castes, which appears a moral contradiction, for if it dishonours them to be served by others, how can they be servants to others ? - [Previous: 254.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.254.2.6) - [Next: 254.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.254.2.8) - [Up: 254.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.254.2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.254.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.travel.manucci~en-irvine.254.2.7) · Pramāṇa