Caste and Race in India c8.145

c8.145

We have already noticed that Vishnu enjoins the householders of the first three castes not to travel in the company of the Śūdras. The reason for this injunction was that probably the Śūdra was considered to impart pollution by contact. As a matter of fact, according to the interpretation put by the commentator on another rule, the Śūdra's touch defiled objects like vehicles and seats and thus rendered them unfit for use unless water was sprinkled over them.¹ Aṅgiras requires a Brahmin to sip water for purification if he comes in contact with a washerman, a leather-worker, a fisherman, or a cane-worker. A Brahmin, drinking water from the vessel of a Caṇḍāla, has to undergo the penance of living on cow's urine for a number of days. Nay, Laghuśaṅkha goes even further and prescribes this penance if a Brahmin happens to drink water from a well from which a Caṇḍāla has drawn water. Saṃvarta's opinion is still more stringent inasmuch as he regards even running water as defiled, if it is used by the Antyajas or outcasts. Atri declares a washerman, a leather-worker, a cane-worker, a fisherman, and a Bhil to be Antyajas or outcasts. Vedavyāsa adds to this list several other castes. According to Uśanas, the Caṇḍāla was to enter a village for sweeping, etc., in the first half of the day, carrying a broom under his armpit and a small pot hanging at his neck.² These regulations remind one of Poona life in the days of the Peshwas.