Who is a Chaandaal?

[3/56/18]
This expression of Chaandaal for Raavan has its own impact. The nomenclature of Chaandaal is not the present day 'untouchable' 'outcaste' or a 'pariah' etc., because he is also a member and an important functionary in Hindu system of castes. 

The analogy is between the Vedic-scholar and profaner, [meaning: one who is not initiated into religious rites or any esoteric knowledge...] and between the Altar of Fire and Fire of Pyre, and between the Vedic Ritual and Funeral Rites, both involving Vedic-hymns. 

A Vedic scholar may perhaps conduct a Yagya but he is no authority to conduct Antyeshti Kriyaa (funerals or last rites) till its end. At best, a priest's function is until the lighting of the pyre, and even perhaps until Kapaal Moksh (breakage of cranium...) and from then on it is the function of this Chaandaal to take care of the corpse consigned to fire and for its complete cremation; since leaving half-burned corpse to vultures and foxes or wolves, is sinning. 

Thus, if a Vedic scholar conducts Jaat (Aadi) Kriyaa (rites from birth onwards...) as an initiator, whereas a Chaandaal conducts Antya (Uttar) Kriyaa (rites of death afterwards...) as a terminator. Thus, Raavan being a Vedic scholar is now conducting himself as a self-cremator.

[Taken from Valmiki Ramayan 3/56]

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