Some say "Mlechchha" word was used in ancient times to describe a particular set of foreign people. Maybe so. However I have seen in the rural areas of north India, Hindus using this word 'Mlechchha' to describe anyone with unclean habits, even another Hindu. In my childhood, during winters, when we children used to be reluctance to take bath, I remember my own grand father scolding us as '...are you Mlechchha!'
I think whatever be the historical origin of the word, 'Mlechchha' had come to be widely used not in the racial terms but practical terms. Mlechchha meant anyone of unclean habits, 'Ashauch'. And this was important for Hindus, since Shauch - cleaneliness - is the first Niyam of Ashtanga Marg, and a great divine virtue. In this thread, I would like to discuss, what are those habits, which Hindus would traditionally treat 'unclean'.
1. Aversion to daily bathing. Europeans as well as Arabs, were known to not take very frequent bathes. Remember the Muslim culture of public 'Hammams' and weekly baths before the Namaz of Jumma. There are paintings of Mughal Emporers being given bath by their servants. Bathing was an "occasion".
2. As a result of not bathing, bodily stink. And to fight the stink, heavy use of perfumes. Usage of heavy perfumes by males of ordinary populace, is distinctively muslim culture, from Egypt to India.
3. No concept of 'Juthan'. Once the food from the plate has been tasted by a person, in Hindu civilization it is considered not fit for consumption by other. Hindus offer the food to God before eating it. This offering is different from Christian/Muslim/Jewish 'prayer' of thanks. For Hindus, the act of eating is a holy and spiritual exercise - a Yagna indeed, and food its Samidha. Hindus eat Juthan of God and nobody else's. Food that has been tasted by another person is not fit for offering to God. This concept is alient to Europeans or Muslims. Is there a proper English word for 'Juthan'? Closest that may come is 'Ort', but even that does not express what is expressed by 'Juthan'. Likewise, Muslims don't have any concept like this. Whole Muslim party may eat from one single plate. Have you ever seen a muslim marriage feast - if you have then you know what I mean. Recently, there was a news shown on Indian News channels that at some spot in Mumbai, near a dargah, water of Arab Sea had turned sweet. They were repeatedly showing a scene where Muslims of the area had collected the water in a flower-pot (gamlaa) and all were drinking from it directly (putting their lips on it, one by one).
4. Marrying the cousins or close relatives. Hindus maintain the need to avoid marriages among same Gothra, thereby avoiding marrying a "blood" relative. Modern knowledge of genetics supports this to avoid various genetic deseases. However, Europeans and Muslims very commonly marry their cousins and other close relatives. (I read somewhere, Mumtaj Mahal was Shahjahan's real Maami - wife of brother of mother) For Hindu eye, this is incest of the first order, and very deplorable.
5. Eating forbidden food - including meat and tamasic food as a regular diet.
6. Taming animals of tamasic temparament as domestic pets. This includes fouls, cats, pigs, turkey etc.
There are many more things, but this is to start with...what do the other members think?
I think whatever be the historical origin of the word, 'Mlechchha' had come to be widely used not in the racial terms but practical terms. Mlechchha meant anyone of unclean habits, 'Ashauch'. And this was important for Hindus, since Shauch - cleaneliness - is the first Niyam of Ashtanga Marg, and a great divine virtue. In this thread, I would like to discuss, what are those habits, which Hindus would traditionally treat 'unclean'.
1. Aversion to daily bathing. Europeans as well as Arabs, were known to not take very frequent bathes. Remember the Muslim culture of public 'Hammams' and weekly baths before the Namaz of Jumma. There are paintings of Mughal Emporers being given bath by their servants. Bathing was an "occasion".
2. As a result of not bathing, bodily stink. And to fight the stink, heavy use of perfumes. Usage of heavy perfumes by males of ordinary populace, is distinctively muslim culture, from Egypt to India.
3. No concept of 'Juthan'. Once the food from the plate has been tasted by a person, in Hindu civilization it is considered not fit for consumption by other. Hindus offer the food to God before eating it. This offering is different from Christian/Muslim/Jewish 'prayer' of thanks. For Hindus, the act of eating is a holy and spiritual exercise - a Yagna indeed, and food its Samidha. Hindus eat Juthan of God and nobody else's. Food that has been tasted by another person is not fit for offering to God. This concept is alient to Europeans or Muslims. Is there a proper English word for 'Juthan'? Closest that may come is 'Ort', but even that does not express what is expressed by 'Juthan'. Likewise, Muslims don't have any concept like this. Whole Muslim party may eat from one single plate. Have you ever seen a muslim marriage feast - if you have then you know what I mean. Recently, there was a news shown on Indian News channels that at some spot in Mumbai, near a dargah, water of Arab Sea had turned sweet. They were repeatedly showing a scene where Muslims of the area had collected the water in a flower-pot (gamlaa) and all were drinking from it directly (putting their lips on it, one by one).
4. Marrying the cousins or close relatives. Hindus maintain the need to avoid marriages among same Gothra, thereby avoiding marrying a "blood" relative. Modern knowledge of genetics supports this to avoid various genetic deseases. However, Europeans and Muslims very commonly marry their cousins and other close relatives. (I read somewhere, Mumtaj Mahal was Shahjahan's real Maami - wife of brother of mother) For Hindu eye, this is incest of the first order, and very deplorable.
5. Eating forbidden food - including meat and tamasic food as a regular diet.
6. Taming animals of tamasic temparament as domestic pets. This includes fouls, cats, pigs, turkey etc.
There are many more things, but this is to start with...what do the other members think?