History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v1.c6.s91.27

v1.c6.s91.27

He first starts with the discussion that the Śūdra is not authorised to study the Vedas, but that he can listen to the recitation by Brāhmaṇas of smṛtis and purāṇas and religious rites are to be performed for Śūdras with Purāṇic *mantras*. Then the following subjects are dealt with :— worship of Viṣṇu and other deities by Śūdras and the observances of *vratas* and fasts by them ; Śūdra can make gifts of works of public utility (pūrta) ; Śūdra can adopt a son ; the conflicting views as to the number of saṁskāras for a Śūdra, most authors holding that he is entitled to ten saṁskāras (without Vedic *mantras*), viz. garbhādhāna, puṁsavana, sīmanta, jātakarma, nāmakaraṇa, śiśuniṣkramaṇa, annaprāśana, cūḍākarma, karṇavedha and vivāha ; the five great daily yajñas were to be performed for the śūdra according to the Vājasaneyaśākha ;¹⁰⁹² śrāddhas for Śūdra (to be performed with uncooked food) ; actions prescribed and forbidden in the case of Śūdras ; the details of various rites and saṁskāras of Śūdras ; the daily duties of Śūdras ; impurity on birth and death ; rites after death ; duties of wives and widows ; persons of mixed castes who have to follow the rules laid down for Śūdras ; rules for those who are born of *pratiloma* connections ; about *Kāyasthas*.