The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c16.28

c16.28

So far, we have spoken of caste as a single, coherent system. But it is striking that, where we have only a single word, caste, India has at least two terms: the well-known set of four *varṇas* and the numerous *jātis*. The question then is how the *jātis* are related to the *varṇas*. The answer is obvious: through mixed unions. But here is the catch. Such unions represent the abomination of *varṇasaṃkara*, the confusion of the *varṇa* order, which is based on strict separation of the *varṇas*. The interesting point is that the *jātis* came about through exchange in its weightiest form, namely, marriage. The *jātis* stand for asymmetrical exchange relationships, and that is exactly what is rejected by the *varṇa* theory. Here we come up against the same problem as before. The *varṇa* order and the *jāti* order are each other’s opposites. Hierarchical interdependence upheld by “worshipful” and disinterested exchange may mask the pivotal problem, but it will not solve it.