Caste in India: The Facts and the System c7.s4.20

c7.s4.20

The three terms are sometimes found together ; they palpably comprise the entire Āryan people. One verse asserts that the Viśas (clans) bow spontaneously to the chief (rājan), who is preceded by a Brahman (*Brahman*)¹; that is to say, in technical language, before the king who has a *purohita*, or family-priest. While proving that the claims of sacerdotal power are already established, it presents the situation in its true light: the king and the priest, in the function proper to them, on the one side, and on the other the people. We are then in the presence of classes, more or less exclusive and jealous, but not of castes.