[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646)](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934) › v2.c19.s2.t2.14 # Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c19.s2.t2.14 Social and Political Life in the Vijayanagara Empire (A.D. 1346 – A.D. 1646) v2.c19.s2.t2.14 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c19.s2.t2.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.14) The validity of the claims of the Brahmans to take upon themselves the duties of the Kshatriyas now deserves to be examined, especially from the standpoint of classical and Vijayanagara theory. Manu says: "Twice born men may take up arms when (they are) hindered (in the fulfilment of) their duties, when destruction (threatens) the twice-born castes (varṇa) in (evil) times, in their own defence, in a strife for the fees of officiating priests, and in order to protect women and Brāhmaṇas; he who (under such circumstances) kills in the cause of right, commits no sin".⁴ According to Nārada: "In times of distress, a Brahman is allowed to gain his substance in the mode prescribed for the caste next to him in rank; or he may gain his substance like a Vaiśya..."⁵ Nārada, however, enjoins this stipulation: "When a Brahman has lived through times of distress, with the wealth acquired by following the occupations of a Kshatriya, he must perform a penance and relinquish the occupations of a Kshatriya. When, however, a Brahman takes delight in those occupations and persists in them, he is declared a Kāṇḍapṛishṭha (professional soldier) and must be expelled from society, because he has swerved from the path of duty".⁶ - [Previous: v2.c19.s2.t2.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.13) - [Next: v2.c19.s2.t2.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.15) - [Up: v2.c19.s2.t2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2) ## Linked texts (2) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Nāradasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.narada) — Nārada, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.saletore-1934.v2.c19.s2.t2.14) · Pramāṇa