Caste and Race in India c7.88

c7.88

We cannot agree with Professor Max Müller when he says that the Gṛhya Sūtras never expressly exclude the Śūdra from the rite of initiation.¹ The ages at which this rite was to be performed are laid down only for the three classes and not for the Śūdra. To us it appears that this is sufficient evidence that the Gṛhya Sūtras did not contemplate the initiation of the Śūdra. The initiation ceremony opened the door to the study of the Veda. The Śūdra has, throughout, been debarred from that study. He has never been allowed to hear Vedic recitations. How possibly could the Gṛhya Sūtras, under these circumstances, even dream of the Śūdra being initiated? The fact appears to be that undeserving as he was of this rite, he was simply ignored.