The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c14.155

c14.155

As this snake-charmer exhibited his art not only in the court of the king but also among the people, so also the other "worldly" Brâhmaṇas with whom we have hitherto had to do, and as functions of whom we have come to recognise sacrifice, prophecy and magic, are not exclusively employed in the service of a king. As little then as to-day, when the sign-reading and prophesying Brâhmaṇa is an indispensable personality¹ for every Hindu, do the Brâhmaṇas scorn to give man, where they can, the benefit of their wisdom for the sake of reward.