________________
40V
pouw u Druiwui injowiwi UI DIU J
U MJ
most middling (Vimajjhima), (IV) the middling (Majjhima), (V) the excellent (Uttima) and (VI) the most excellent (Uttimottsma)
In the 'worst class are included those men who are without the knowledge of the nature and significance of) Dharma, Artha, Káma, etc. in man's life as well as their contribution to its upkeep, stability, growth and development. These persons are given to inaction, and as such, never strive for acquiring merits The men reckoned in this group may conceivably be equated with the inen of Tāmasic properties as illustrated in the Bhagavadgitā 137 Like the men of Tămasic disposition, these persons never strive for the future world, are devoid of meritorious deeds, and, therefore, even the smallest particle of pleasure derived from the experience of five sense objects is unknown to them. These stupid and uprighteous people perpetrate cruel acts and always engaged in sinful practices, they are never happy in this life and hereafter.
It is to be noted here that the men included in the above group are the outcastes and barbarous tribes subsisting by the most reprehended occupations. These, as enumerated by Śilanka, are pig-dealers (Soyariya=Saukarıka), Karvartas (Keva
a), Bhılla, Pulinda, charcoalburners (Ingaladāhaya), wood-cutters (Katthacchindaya), donkey-drivers (Kharavāhaya) and hunters (Loddhaya) and similar others.138 In Silãnka's opinion, their incapability of doing righteous deeds is the result of grievous stupidity inherent in their nature from their condemned birth due to the bad acts done in the previous birth. Thus, Silänka is not inclined to give them any concession regarding the possibility of redemption from their doomed life here and hereafter This shows in him lack of that liberal outlook which is shown by the epic poets at several places in the Mahābhārata For, the epic tells us that men born even in the lowest and most condemned castes have every possibility of redeeming them137. XVIII 28, 32, 35, 39 13s त य सोयरिया केवट्टा भिल्ला पुलिंदा इगालदाह्या कट्ठच्छिदया खरa164T STIGATEUI...
CMG, p. 2,
