Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies - DUBOIS, Abbé Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies, Dubois | Page 225

ENDLESS ABLUTIONS 185 would not take or touch the letter, and left in anger, considering he had been grievously insulted. He preferred to lose any advantage he might have gained from this letter of recommendation, rather than be the bearer of a missive that had been thus defiled. There are several kinds of animals, especially dogs \ to touch which would defile a Brahmin. It is very interesting to watch their movements, and the care they will take to avoid the familiar caresses of these faithful companions of man. If, in spite of their efforts, the dog really does touch them, they are obliged to hurry off immediately and plunge, with all their clothes on, into water, and thus remove from both their person and their garments the stain which they had involuntarily acquired by the touch of one of these unclean animals. There is an infinity of other kinds of exterior defilement to which Brahmins are exposed, but I think what has been already said is sufficient to make known their views on the subject. It is obvious that so many external defilements neces- sitate endless ablutions. There are certain rivers and tanks which are held to possess peculiarly cleansing properties, and those Brahmins who live near them are perpetually bathing in their waters, while those who from living at a greater distance are deprived of this advantage, have to content themselves with whatever water or tank is nearest to their dwelling-place. In many places they do not allow Sudras to approach the place where they bathe, either for the purpose of drawing water or to make their own ablu- tions. But they are obliged to be less exclusive in places where they are not supreme. A Brahmin rarely passes a day without bathing at least once 2 while those who wish to call public attention to it, , Amongst the many animals looked upon as unclean by Jews, the dog was particularly numbered. But it was only by eating the flesh, or touching the dead carcase of one, that they were defiled. The touch 1 of a living dog did not matter. Furthermore, every commentator of the Holy Scriptures has agreed that these defilements were only figura- tive of other and far more important uncleannesses, namety, the sins and offences which we commit against God and our neighbour. Dubois. 2 One bath every day is compulsory, and is invariably taken. Ed.