The duties and relations of the four castes are defined and
stated in the laws of Manu."
"We have not been introduced to him," suggested Mrs. Woolridge.
"He is regarded as the author of the most noted law-book among the Hindus;
but there is so much that is mythical and contradictory said of him, that I
will say nothing more about him; but he is authority among the Brahmins. In
modern caste the Brahmin is the minister of religion; he alone mediates
between God and man, makes sacrifices, and teaches the sacred Veda. His
life is portioned off into periods of special duty. As a student he learns
the Veda; then he gets married, becomes a householder, and must every day
perform the appointed sacrifice. Some of them live in the woods, as
hermits, or live like monks, till they are said to be absorbed into Brahma.
"The soldier's sphere is in connection with the State, to support the
Brahmin, and execute the laws he makes or interprets. The third class
cultivate the soil as proprietors, and engage in trade and commerce. The
Sudra is the servant of all the others. Resulting from the intermarriage of
members of different castes there are various mixed classes. The lowest is
the child of a Brahmin mother and a Sudra father, though in Southern India
the Pariah is still lower.
"Of the vast population of India, three-fourths are Hindus in religion.
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