The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c17.56

c17.56

The work which the slaves had to do was naturally extremely manifold and differed with the social position of the master and the intelligence of the slave. Many might be employed, like the slave Kaṭāhaka, in higher employments, like those of the store-keeper, treasurer or private secretary; as a rule, however, the work of the slaves was of a lower nature. The slave Piṅgalā in the Silāvimamsa Jātaka (III. 101) before she can go to a rendezvous must wash the feet of her master; only when he is tranquillised does she sit on the door-sill and await his pleasure. With considerable detail the duties of a slave are described in the Kaṭāhaka Jātaka. The slave Kaṭāhaka who gives himself out as the son of his master and marries the daughter of a Seṭṭhi friendly to his master, hears that his master has gone to the country and is afraid that he may come to him. He resolves to meet him and propitiate him by doing a slave's work (dāsakammam katvā I. 452). Everywhere he explains loudly how little respect other young people show to their parents, as they sit at the same table with them, instead of serving them; he himself would, when his elders took their meals, set before them the dishes, place the spitoons in their position, take particular care of their drink and stand behind them with a brush; up to the most common performances.