The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-10-12
The Power OF Caste.


When DR.. Norman Macleod was in India, two
years ago, he was the guest of Sir Alexander Gnnf,
at party to which quite number Of the more en-
! lightened and educated HIudus we're invited. Thev
belonged to the Intelligent class, which Il the
strength Of the Brahmo somat Dr. Macleod never
suspected that he doing anything smlss Ia riv-
Ing an account Of it In Good Words In which he
said: rH
There were present, among Others. a deuutx
inspector, the principal Of the training college the
translator OF the Arabian Nights PuudIt. col
lege fellow, and a college student All these wer.
singularly pleasing and Intelligent gentlemen. The
whole of them bad renounced caste, and ate aud
drank with US, although Of them evidently felt
little awkward in doing 50, and good-nsturedy
twitted by the Others on account OF L. None Of
them, however, professed Christianity"
But be had stirred up hornets nest aboutthsseuot
very sturdy Hindus who had really accepted this
invitation ION the sly" never saspeeting an ae-
count of 1t would be published Yhsn the orthodox
Hindus heard of DIR. Macleod's account, they Imme-
diately had these men up for dscipline They
ANONYMOUSLY recanted aud begged for forgiveness,
and were finally restored to caste after paying 6ne
of $3.50 each. Their claim not to have eaten wish
the foreigners, but only to have paTtaken OF little
fruit, eecream, and preserved ginger was not ad-
mttedi nor was Sir A. Granite assertion that they
did nothing contrary 20 caste regarded as Of any
authority. We copy from Missionary Fapsrs the
petition Of one OF the leaders begging to be re-
instated, with the action Of the Brahman pope
Shankar Aeharya, and the assembled shastris and
Puudits. Krisbna Shastri. the leading man among
these reformers. thus petitions:
Most Reverend World GHrn shankar Acharya,
Lord presiding, &c, the petition OF your Lcrdship's
servant, the erring disciple Krishpa shastri Chip
lunksT shenoth. On account Of letter from Bom-
bay, the reverend authority Of Poona instituted an
inquiry, and decided then to put me out Of caste
for having eaten fruit, and ice, and preserved
ginger In this regard, examining the letters
from Europe and the previous papers, your
reverence has the power to meIcifally receive me
back. Let your servant ind sudienee This Is the
prayer of your obedient, Krishna shastri chlplEn=
kar."
Question, by Assembly.-on the ith. &c, you
were put out Of caste. Do you petition to be re-
stored
Answer, by K. shastri.-I do not think myself
guilty of the crime that the court you refer to de-
cded there were strong suspicious Of, and !, ssems
to me that the documents laid before You show me
guitless. But, if your reverence thinks there Is
proof of my guilt, am ready TO take any pravaah-
chit (expiation) that is according the shasras,
with my head bowed low. Or If the authority Of
the shastras is not shown, am ready to obedieutly
take such prdyashehu is pleasing TO all thia as
sembly.
Assembly-You viii write down what you agree
to with regard to not committing such a crime
again.
Krishua.-I do not wish to commit such 4 crime.
This is my agreement.
Assembly = Do you ask prdyasaehift, having re-
pentedY
Krishna.-I have repented.
Assembly.-It seems proved that you ate pre-
served ginger, and fruits and ice-cream. II you
have repented of St, you musf give iuI and true
account of the whole affair
Krishna.-I have written down all I remember Of
the affair. Now, the knowledge that your reverence
and this assembly consider me guilty and being
guilty are the same thing, and for this guilt am
repeutant.
Assembly.-Do you demand prayashelin on the
authority of the shastras will you agree to such
as may be decided uponS
Misunderstanding the authority OF the shas-
tras and the authority Of your reverence as the same
thing, do not say that your authority Is different
from that Of the Shastras
Assembly.-For removing the sin Of eating what
should not e eaten, and drinking what should not
be drank, all twelve kinds Of praydsheh, according
to the proper manner Of our times ard county,
$50 rupees; AnskanP. Is rupees;
md Brahmadand. 125 Eupees-haye been deereed.
and these sums you must pay over.
Krishna.-I agree to pay them according TO the
... -
Evidently this style of Reformed" Hinduism
acks backbone.
A Trp Crop III dofa IL II . -