Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/59



T is necessary to present here some phases of the Hindu social theory. I have already said that the Hindu society is a system of castes. According to Hindu theory the whole world is divided into a number of jātis, i.e., castes or tribes. These jātis differ from each other as far as sacredness and purity are concerned. While Brāhmaņas, who are always pure in speech and action, who increase their personal sacredness by the study of the Vedas and eating only pure food, are holiest and therefore at the top, the tribes like Christians and Mohamedans, who are characterized by cruelty and by the use of impure food, are most impure.