Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism

famous for its realistic, almost

Machiavellian tone. It gives a very valu-

able detailed description of the adminis-

tration of the Maurya empire.

caæõäla (‘wicked or cruel’)

A generic designation of people of the

lowest CASTE, someone who has a Ÿüdra

father and a brahmin mother, and is

therefore an OUTCASTE.

caæõana

Sandalwood, used in many forms of

worship and also valued for its cooling

properties when applied as a paste.

Caæõï, also Caæõikä, Caæõä

The goddess Durgä (Ambä) in the form

she assumed to kill the demon Mahi•a.

Caæõïdäsa

(‘Caædï’s slave’) (15th century)

Medieval author of poetry celebrating

the loves of KØÆŒAand the GOPÏS.

Candra

The moon, as both planet and deity.

Caraka (first century CE)

A writer on medicine who is reputed to

have lived in Vedic times. Author of the

Caraka Saƒhitä, one of the most impor-

tant texts of Indian medicine through

the ages. (See also AYURVEDA.)

Cärväkas

The followers of an ancient materialistic

system of philosophy, which denies the

validity of Vedic rites and encourages a

hedonistic lifestyle. Hindus have always

condemned it as the most objectionable

of all NÄSTIKAsystems.

caste

The word ‘caste’ is derived from the

Portuguese casta: ‘pure, clean’, desig-

nating purity of descent. Hindu society

has been characterized by caste divi-

sions from time immemorial. The four

classes (catur varæa) mentioned in the

VEDA, namely Brahmanas (teachers),

K•atriyas (soldiers), Vaiÿyas (traders)

and Ÿüdras (servants) are subdivided

into a great multitude of jätïs, ‘birth-

groups’, or castes proper. A large num-

ber of people who for various reasons

were excluded from these formed the

so-called OUTCASTES, who, however,

also maintained caste-like ranking

among themselves. (See also SOCIAL

ORDER.)

cat school

See TEŒGALAI.

caturmäsya (1) (‘four months’)

The rainy season, when ASCETICSwere

obliged to stay in one place. Vi•æu was

believed to be resting during this time.

caturmäsya (2)

A feast observed at the beginning of

each four-month period into which the

Vedic year was divided.

catur–varæa–äÿrama–dharma

Comprehensive designation of the

Hindu SOCIAL ORDER dividing society

into four (catur) classes (VARŒA); whose

life is to be regulated by four stages:

brahmacarya (studenthood), gøhastya

(householder stage), vänaprasthya (for-

est-dweller stage), and samnyäsa (stage

of renunciation, homelessness). (See

also CASTE.)

cauõa

Tonsure of the whole head before initi-

ation (upanayana), leaving only a little

tuft at the back (ÿikha). It is repeated

every fortnight thereafter. (See also

SA§SKÄRA.)

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