History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c91.32

v7.c91.32

This gives rise to interesting questions. The śūdras had no right to study the Veda. But as a matter of fact the Purānas contain as exemplified above a good many Vedic mantras. It is stated in the Bhāgavata1468a 'women, śūdras and brāhmanas in name only are beyond the pale of the three Vedas; therefore the sage (Vyāsa) composed through compassion for them the Bhārata tale'. The Devībhāgavata states 'study of the Veda is not accepted for women, śūdras and brāhmaṇas in name only and Purāṇas are compiled for the purpose of benefitting them'. From this it follows that in the case of śūdras the listening to the Bhārata was deemed to bring about the same results that the Veda does for *dvijas* and that even the śūdra may acquire the knowledge of the Self (and *mokṣa*) from the Bhārata.