Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s3.13

v2.c20.s3.13

The Śūdras, known generally as Kaulas, are not despised as impure or untouchable. Impurity, according to the Balinese conception, is the consequence of certain acts such as, for example, (1) using water in which a dead body has been washed, (2) being reduced to slavery by legal process, (3) attempt to commit suicide, (4) refusing to become a *Sati* (i.e., burning herself with her dead husband) after making a declaration to that effect, *etc.* The duration of impurity varies according to circumstances. Sometimes men of higher castes are degraded to the rank of a Śūdra.