Caste in India: The Facts and the System c6.s7.50

c6.s7.50

The penances are serious; they may take the form of a pilgrimage to some renowned temple, immersion in the Ganges, or a mere fast. The guilty person may be condemned to have his moustache shaved off, to be branded, or to have his tongue burnt; or else he may have to swallow the beverage called *pañchagavya*, which is supposed to have purifying powers, but which sounds very disgusting, being a mixture of the five products of the cow—milk, whey, butter, and the rest. In any case he must humble himself before the assembled caste and offer public evidence of his docility and repentance.³ Above all, he must offer to his caste a repast, of which he bears the expense.