The Vedas, upon which the whole structure of Hindu religion and ethics professes to be based, give no countenance to the present regulations of caste. The Sanscrit word for caste is _verna_, meaning colour, and this leads us to the true origin of caste distinctions. The _verna_, or colour, of the light-complexioned Aryan invaders who entered India from the Northwest and the _verna_ of the dark-skinned aborigines whom they subjugated established the first distinctions of caste. There are four principal castes to-day among the Hindus, namely: 1. _Brahmin_, or priest caste. 2. _Kshatriya_, or warrior caste. 3. _Vaisya_, or merchant caste. 4. _Sudra_, or servant caste. A fifth class, called _Pariahs_, are of no caste, and are practically outside the law. The first three upper classes or castes are also called "twice-born" men, because they are supposed to be regenerated or "born in the Veda." So, generally, are the distinctions of caste recognized that Pope Gregory XV. found it advisable to publish a bull sanctioning caste regulations in the Christian churches of India. The Hindus attach great importance to the marriage. It is regarded by them as one of the ten _sankars_, or sacraments, necessary for the regeneration of men of the twice-born classes, and the only sacrament for women and _Sudras_. The Veda says: "A Brahmin immediately upon being born is produced a debtor in three obligations: to the holy saints for the practice of religious duties; to the gods for the performance of sacrifice; to his forefathers for offspring." Manu ordains that "after a man has read the Vedas in the form prescribed by law, has legally begotten a son and has performed sacrifices to the best of his power, he has paid his three debts and may then apply his heart to eternal bliss." The Hindus hold the marriage relation in such respect that the question of the validity of a marriage is rarely submitted to the courts for judicial determination. The law of the Catholic Church treats marriage as a sacramental contract dissoluble only by death, but the Hindu law goes further by declaring against the remarriage of widows. This rule of Hindu has been legislated upon by Act XV. of 1856, which makes a Hindu widow eligible for a new marriage, but the marriage of a widow has never been the practice among Hindus. Mann says: "A widow who from a wish to bear children slights her deceased husband by marrying again brings a disgrace on herself here below and shall be excluded from the seat of her lord." Polygamy, or plurality of wives, is permitted by the Hindu law, but is rarely practiced. Polyandry, or plurality of husbands, is contrary both to the Hindu law and the provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The three higher castes are permitted to intermarry with the caste next below their own, the issue taking the lower caste or sometimes forming a new caste.