Storia do Mogor 281.14.7

281.14.7

Above all others the priests, called Brahmans, insist wherever they are on a very strict observance of this custom; they allow none of the other castes to build houses in their midst or in their streets; above all, they will not tolerate those who eat flesh or fish. They fear either that the odour emitted by these articles when cooking might subject them to temptation, they never eating such things; or, possibly, there are other reasons, which I consider would take too long to set forth, and therefore pass over in silence as outside my subject. Thus it is obvious that to enter upon anything opposed to the above-named custom is likely to upset everything, and to expose oneself at some time or other to a rising not only of the caste affected, but also of others who claim to be upholding their own usages by helping to maintain those of others. Or else there may be a total desertion of their homes by these people, who go where they find themselves better treated, and are allowed to live peacefully in accordance with their customs, without any constraint by force or otherwise.