Caste in India: The Facts and the System c7.s2.9

c7.s2.9

One preliminary remark: In spite of their dogmatic tone and systematic appearance, we do not need to scan the prescriptions very closely to perceive that a meticulous pursuit of very slight details covers a great many uncertainties and deficiencies. The lofty exclusiveness of the language hides weakness of authority and laxity of practice. This is to be seen in other places besides India. The authorizations are often uncertain and the degree of precision always low. More serious still are the contradictions which, explicit or implicit, are constantly met with from one passage to another.