Caste and Race in India c7.90

c7.90

The Mahābhārata says that the Śūdra can have no absolute property, because his wealth can be appropriated by his master at will.² If the master of a Śūdra has fallen into distress, the latter shall support him, and his treasure, if any, shall be placed at the disposal of the poor master.³ The king is enjoined to appoint only persons of the first three classes over villages and towns for their protection.⁴ A Śūdra trying to hear the Vedic texts shall have his ears filled with molten tin or lac; if he recites the Veda his tongue shall be cut off, and if he remembers it he shall be dismembered. If he assumes a position of equality with twice-born men, either in sitting, conversing, or going along the road, he shall receive corporal punishment.⁵ A Śūdra, committing adultery with women of the first three castes, shall suffer capital punishment, or shall be burnt alive tied up in straw.⁶ Kauṭilya restricts the punishment by burning only to the crime of the violation of a Brahmin female.⁷ When a Śūdra calls himself a Brahmin, either his eyes shall be destroyed by means of a poisonous ointment, or he shall be fined eight-hundred "paṇas".⁸ If he intentionally reviles twice-born men or criminally assaults them, the limb with which he offends shall be cut off.⁹ Kauṭilya, too, lays down the same punishment, but only in the case where the assault is directed against a Brahmin.¹ On the other hand, a Śūdra can be abused by a Brahmin without entailing any punishment.² A Snātaka (a Vedic student) is exhorted not to go on a journey alone in the company of a Śūdra.³ For a Brahmin to eat the food given by a Śūdra is a sin that must be expiated; and to avoid taking it is one of the few things the practice of which assures a Brahmin of bliss in heaven.⁴ Gautama goes further and forbids a Snātaka to accept water given by a Śūdra.⁵ Though, as we shall see later on, marriage between a Brahmin male and a Śūdra female is contemplated, yet it is said that such a wife is espoused merely for pleasure and not for the fulfilment of a religious purpose.⁶ Cohabitation with a Śūdra female is a sin, which a Brahmin must wipe out.⁷ A Brahmin who marries a Śūdra wife and dwells for twelve years in a village, where only well-water is obtainable, becomes equal to a Śūdra.⁸ A Śūdra committing adultery with an Aryan woman shall have his organ cut off and his property confiscated.⁹ Altogether so unworthy is the Śūdra that, if he comes as a guest, he shall be fed together with one's servants and that, too, perhaps after getting some work out of him.¹⁰