Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c11.30

c11.30

¹ See the Uddâlaka Jâtaka. “Khattiya, Brâhmaṇa, Vessa, Sudda, Chaṇḍâla and Pukkusa can all be virtuous, self-restrained and can attain Nirvâṇa; is there any among them, when they have all attained peace of the soul, who is better or who is worse?” Also the Sîlavîmaṁsa Jâtaka (III, 194). Ambâ Jâtaka, IV, 205. “Among the Khattiyas, Brâhmaṇas, Vessas, Suddas, Chaṇḍâlas and Pukkusas, he is the best from whom one can learn what is right.” In the Tittira Jâtaka (I, 217), on the other hand, some Buddhist monks admit that Brâhmaṇa or Kṣatriya brethren were entitled to the best diet and accommodation. Buddha, however, would admit no such caste-privileges. For the primacy of Kṣatriyas over Brâhmaṇas, Minajacca, III, 452, V, 257. Fick, the Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha’s Time, tr. Shishirkumar Maitra, pp. 81—90. Pukkusa means a despised mixed caste, generally, the offspring of Niṣâdas with Śûdra females. *Cf.* Manu, IV, 79; X, 18, 38; XII, 55.