258 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
or psychological defilement, and (3) ethical defilement. The rule [1] for the purification of ethical defilement which occurs when a person entertains evil thoughts are more admonitions and exhortations. But the rites for the removal of notional and physical defilement are the same. They include the use of water. [2] earth. [3] cow’s urine, [4] the kusa grass [5] and ashes. [6] Earth, cow’s urine, Kusa grass and ashes are prescribed as purificatory agents for removing physical impurities caused by the touch of inanimate objects. Water is the chief agent for the removal of notional defilement. It is used in three ways (1) sipping, (2) bath, and (3) ablution. [7] Later on panchagavya became the most important agency for removing notional defilement. It consists of a mixture of the five products of the cow, namely, milk, urine, dung, curds and butter.
In Manu there is also provision for getting rid of defilement by transmission through a scapegoat [8] namely by touching the cow or looking at the sun after sipping water.
Besides the individual pollution the Hindus believe also in territorial and communal pollution and purification very much like the system that prevailed among the early Romans. Every village has an annual jatra. An animal, generally a he buffalo, is purchased on behalf of the village. The animal is taken round the village and is sacrificed, the blood is sprinkled round the village and towards the end toe meat is distributed among the villagers. Every Hindu, every Brahmin even though he may not be a beef eater is bound to accept his share of the meat. This is not mentioned in any of the Smritis but it has the sanction of custom which among the Hindus is so strong that it always overrides law.
II
If one could stop here, one could well say that the notion of defilement prevalent among the Hindus is not different from that which obtained in Primitive and in Ancient Societies. But one cannot stop here. For there is another form of Untouchability observed by
Chapter V. 105-109; 127-128.
Chapter V. 127.
Chapter V. 134-136.
Chapter V. 121, 124.
Chapter V. 115.
Chapter V. 111.
Chapter V. 143.
Chapter V. 87.