A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism Klaus K Klostermaie

caæõäla 48
famous for its realistic, almost
Machiavellian tone. It gives a very valuable
detailed description of the administration
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 KØÆŒA and 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 important
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 NÄSTIKA systems.
caste
The word ‘caste’ is derived from the
Portuguese casta: ‘pure, clean’, designating
purity of descent. Hindu society
has been characterized by caste divisions
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, ‘birthgroups’,
or castes proper. A large number
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 ASCETICS were
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 (forest-dweller
stage), and samnyäsa (stage
of renunciation, homelessness). (See
also CASTE.)
cauõa
Tonsure of the whole head before initiation
(upanayana), leaving only a little
tuft at the back (ÿikha). It is repeated
every fortnight thereafter. (See also
SA§SKÄRA.)