Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 211

TRAINING YOUNG BRAHMINS
171
which he shows any aptitude, that is, if
wealthy to be able to give him
masters
above all things, to learn arithmetic in its ele-
mentary forms, and to study the various idioms of the
knowledge
for
his parents are sufficiently
:
these are the occupations that fill up his days.
their separate schools, to which children
of other castes, particularly Sudras. are never admitted.
The nature of their studies, the discipline and mode of
teaching, the very principles of education, are all totally
The Brahmachari
different in the one and in the other.
must never chew betel he must never put flowers in his
turban or in his hair, or ornament his forehead with the
and he must never look in a looking-
paste of sandalwood l
glass.
Every day. morning and evening, he must perform
He must take the greatest
the homam. or sacrifice of fire.
pains to conform to the rules and customs of his caste
he must show the most absolute and prompt obedience to
his parents and his teachers
he must be modest, deferen-
tial and respectful to his superiors, and affable to his
equals.
His family and his masters take particular care
to instruct him in the art of lying and dissimulation, cunning
and deceit \ qualities which are fully developed in all
Brahmins, and form the principal traits in their character.
There are. besides, hundreds of minute details most essen-
tial in a Brahmin's education, comprising rules of good
manners and decorous conduct, the art of speaking and
conversing in well-chosen language, the appropriate de-
meanour to assume on different occasions, how to hold
oneself and how to use one's eyes, the different degrees of
hauteur or humility which should be shown under various
circumstances and at different times and places according
to the people who are present.
Nevertheless, in spite of the stress which is laid upon
these petty precepts governing the conduct of young
Brahmins, there are few who conform to them in all essen-
tials.
Even of the rules of conduct many are merely
language
:
The Brahmins have
:
;
;
;
1
This
incorrect.
is
though the smearing
The use
of
it
on the forehead is obligatory,
forbidden until after marriage.
of this paste
on the body
is
—Ed.
-
There
is
no truth
in such
deliberately inculcated.
Ed.
an assertion.
These
evil qualities are
never