The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c16.s1.67

c16.s1.67

The Kûrma Purâṇa. ing in the future tense in the Puranic style, it laments that in that age Brâhmaṇas will associate with Śûdras, and join them in the performance of religious rites. "Princes surrounded by Śûdras, shall persecute the Brâhmaṇas." Śûdras will occupy higher positions than Brâhmaṇas. All alike will insult and disparage the Vedas and gods.³ These fulminations probably point to Buddhist or Jaina ascendancy in certain quarters. They leave no doubt that in certain ages and regions Brahmanic supremacy was undermined, that Śûdras attained to the highest positions and guided the