The Rashtrakutas and their Times c21.81

c21.81

The unanimous opinion of the Vedic and Smriti writers that the Sudras were not to be permitted to read the Vedas is supported by Alberuni from whom it appears that the rule was actually enforced in practice.(56) A number of later Smritis like Baijavāpa,(57) Jātūkarṇya,(58) Aus'anas, and Laghu-vishṇu(59) distinguish a pious Sudra (Sachchhūdra) from an ordinary one (Asachchhūdra), and extend to the former the privilege of Srāddha, Saṃskāras and Pākayajñas. Somadeva, a Jain writer of the Deccan of our period, confirms the testimony of these Smritis when he observes that internal and external purity qualifies even a Sudra for spiritual duties connected with gods, Brahmanas, and ascetic life.(60) There is no epigraphical evidence to show that these privileges were actually enjoyed by the Sudras of our period, but it is not likely that the Brahmanical writers would have enunciated religious privileges not countenanced by the society. We may, therefore, take it as certain that the respectable among the Sudras used to perform the S'rāddhas, Sanskaras, and other Smārta rites throughout India, of course through the medium of the Brahmanas and with Pauranic Mantras.