Caste and Race in India c7.79

c7.79

The statement that God created the Śūdra to be the slave of all is repeated and he is given the name " pādaja " (born from the feet). He is to be supported, to be fed, to be clothed with the remnants and castaways of food and raiment by the three varṇas.¹ He is contrasted with the Ārya, who, though younger than he, must be respected by him by rising from his seat.² Whereas in the Vedic period, as we have seen, the Dāsa was described as the black race, in this period the Śūdra is given that appellation.³ Vasiṣṭha declares him to be a burial ground. The Veda must not be recited in his presence, no advice must be given to him, nor the remnants of the offerings to the gods. Holy law must not be expounded to him, nor must he be asked to perform a penance.⁴ He shall use the old shoes, discarded garments, etc., of the members of the other varṇas, and eat the leavings of their food.⁵ So great was the feeling against the Śūdra performing a sacrifice that Gautama exhorted a person to cast off his father if he either sacrificed with the money given by a Śūdra or officiated at his sacrifice.⁶ It is well known that in the story of the Rāmāyaṇa, Rāma is represented to have killed a Śūdra who was practising austerities.⁷ The Śūdra was regarded to be so despicable, that a Brahmin, when, out of sheer necessity, he had to take up the Śūdras' occupation, was asked not to mix with them.⁸