History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c83.22

v7.c83.22

Ethical standards are the only criteria for the distinction between high and low among men. Purity of conduct elevates a man even as impurity degrades him All other distinctions are irrelevant The *Chāndogya Upaniṣad* refers to *patitas*. The Cāṇḍālas are those given to stealing, drinking, adultery and murder. These four are fallen *ete patanti catvāraḥ*.² A *patita*, a fallen man, is a wicked man, a small-minded selfish man, not an untouchable.