History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.t2.683

v4.c63.t2.683

Numerous caste customs have been recognized from ancient times to these days. Gaut. XI. 20, Vas. I. 17, Manu I. 118, VIII. 41 and 46, Kauṭ. III. 7, Śukra IV. 5. 47 emphasize the validity of caste customs and call upon the king to enforce them. Yāj. I. 361 advises the king to punish those who swerve from the usages of their family, caste, guild, or group. Kātyāyana (40) enjoins¹⁷²¹ that the king should not disregard the fixed usages even of *pratiloma* castes and of the inhabitants of inaccessible places (mountain forts or habitations), even if they be opposed (to the rules of smṛtis). In the Paribhāṣāprakāśa Mitramiśra holds¹⁷²² that the usages of good śūdras free from moral defects are binding on their sons and others even though they do not know the Veda.