The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c17.141

v1.c17.141

This ambiguous position of the Çūdra is amply recognised in the Vedic texts: on the one hand, he is emphatically regarded as being impure and not fit to take part in the sacrifice: after consecration, in some cases, the mere speaking to a Çūdra is absolutely forbidden. He was not allowed even to milk the cow for the milk needed for the offering to Agni. In the Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā illicit connexions between Āryan and Çūdra are severely reprobated; but, in other places, sin against Ārya and Çūdra is referred to, prayers are uttered for the glory of Ārya and Çūdra, and we learn of rich Çūdras. The Sūtras, while they emphasise many points not attested by the Brāhmaṇa texts, such as the danger of sitting near Çūdras, their exclusion from the study of the Veda, and the prohibition of eating food touched by them, yet recognise that they may be merchants or indeed exercise any trade.