A Brahmin , a member of the Hindu priest, had a great reputation for holiness, and received many presents so that he became rich. One day, he took a fancy to dress himself as a poor peasant. In this attire , he went into the market place but no one saluted him and no one gave him any presents.
The Brahmin then returned to his house and, dressing himself in rich garments, once more set out for the market place. This time, everybody saluted him and made way for him and many handed him presents. This was the usual custom when holy Brahmin happened to make his appearance in the market place.
Once again, the Brahmin returned to his home and changed his clothes. Then, taking the rich garments, he set them up on a shrine near the market. As he prostrates himself before them, cried continually: “Oh mighty garments, you are esteemed above all else in this world...”
The people gathered around in wonder, and in time came to worship the clothes as this Brahmin was doing.
婆罗门是印度神职人员的一种，享有很高的声望，神圣不可侵犯，人们都向他赠送礼物，因此他很富有。有一天，一个婆罗门突发奇想，把自己打扮成一副贫苦农民的模样走进市场。结果，根本没人跟他打招呼，也没人给他礼物。
婆罗门回了家，穿回了有钱人的衣服，又去了市场。这次，每个人都向他行礼、给他让路，还有很多人给他奉上礼物。一般来说，有神圣婆罗门造访市场，就会受到这般礼遇。
婆罗门再次返回家中换了衣服，这次，他把有钱人才穿的衣服带来摆在了市场附近的神龛上。然后，他拜倒在衣服面前，连声喊道：“喔，伟大的衣服啊，我们都尊敬您，因为在这世上您高于一切而存在……”
人们惊讶地聚拢过来，马上效仿婆罗门朝着衣服拜了起来。
-brahmin [ˈbrɑːmɪn] n. 婆罗门
-attire [əˈtaɪə(r)] n. 服装
-shrine [ʃraɪn] n. 神龛
-prostrate [ˈprɒstreɪt] v. 使……拜倒
“婆罗门”(brahmin)就是“梵”，原意“祈祷”或“增大的东西”，是印度种姓制度中最高等级或僧侣阶级、祭司贵族。他们主要掌握神权、占卜祸福、垄断文化和报道农时季节，居于社会顶层，因而享有许多特权。人们认为婆罗门已经以自己的虔诚行为偿清了债务，所以免于交税；人们相信婆罗门是神圣不可侵犯的，所以他们不得被处以死刑或任何肉刑。向婆罗门赠送礼物的人会得到祝福，在今生或来世获得善报。礼物之中最受欢迎的是土地，它可以“解除赠送者的一切罪孽”。通常，婆罗门占有大量地产，甚至拥有整座村庄。