Caste and Race in India c7.117

c7.117

The Vaiśya, though traditionally classed with the first two varṇas, is grouped on many occasions with the Śūdras. As we shall see later on, the occupations ordained for these two classes are almost identical. Gain by labour is mentioned as a special mode of acquisition, both for Vaiśya and Śūdra.² Apart from this increasing similarity of occupations, the special occupations of the Vaiśya were such that they could not be well defined. "The humblest tender of cows for a master may be of this caste, or the work may be done by one outside the Aryan ranks."³ The Vaiśyas are understood to consist of labourers.⁴ Kauṭilya leaves no doubt as to the equality of occupational status between the two castes. The Bhagavadgītā proudly proclaims that its religious doctrines can lead even the Vaiśyas and the Śūdras to salvation.⁵ In this matter these two classes stand in marked contrast to the other two classes. We are led to believe that the Vaiśya, in spite of the injunction of the Brahmins that he should fulfil the duties prescribed for him in the sacred law, had so much fallen off that a less rigid and elaborate way of working out one's salvation was necessary for him. Out of the eight forms of marriage, the two prescribed for the Vaiśyas are the same as those recommended for the Śūdra. According to Vasiṣṭha when a Brahmin marries outside his varṇa, his sons by a Vaiśya and a Śūdra wife shall inherit equal shares.⁶ Similarly only one common formula of welcome need be used for a Vaiśya and a Śūdra guest. Both of them are to be fed together with one's servants.⁷ In the chaos that is supposed to have ensued after Paraśurāma had slaughtered the Kshatriyas, we are told that both the Śūdras and the Vaiśyas discarded the Brahmanic rules of discipline and violated Brahmin females.¹ The moral of this story is clear: The Vaiśyas, like the Śūdras, were ready, as soon as the strong ruling arm was off, to rebel against the Brāhmanic rules of conduct. And the growth of Jainism and Buddhism, particularly their quick appeal to the Vaiśyas, fully corroborates this inference.