Caste System

7 Pages 1870 Words

allowed to learn Sanskrit, and study the Veda’s. Brahmins were created from the mouth of Brahma so they could instruct mankind. This was why they are considered the highest of the four castes. They were considered to be the most intelligent. Hindu’s believe that knowledge is the only thing that remains with a person throughout life. Therefore, Brahmins were highly respected. The Brahmins conducted the daily rites, the purification ceremonies sacrifices and taught the Vedas.
Since Brahmins are the teachers, preachers and priests they have to be extremely knowledgeable of the Veda’s. They have to maintain a strict code of conduct and demonstrate model behavior. They are to be kind and gentle. They are respected by all, to the point that they were treated almost like gods by common people and kings. They were given special gifts, never experienced oppression and never received capital punishment. It was considered to be the gravest of sins to kill a Brahmin.
Purity and ritual cleanliness is of great importance, especially for the higher caste Brahmins. They have a very strict diet that must be followed to stay pure. Food has to be prepared by certain people and meat is not allowed. Generally speaking higher castes are more pure than lower classes by nature. A person’s cleanliness is situational, depending on many things. For example, one who has just bathed is more pure ...