Caste in India: The Facts and the System c7.s2.23

c7.s2.23

As was to be expected, the same impression emerges from the Epic. The discrepancies here are of precisely the same nature as in the law-books. Some of them are interesting; but what strikes us most forcibly is the number of cases in the epic stories where facts are in contradiction to doctrine. We have been prepared for the strict distinction of all professions, and yet all castes take part in an armed conflict.⁵ Droṇa, although a Brahman, is one of the chief heroes of the struggle, and, although the son of a shepherd, Karṇa is one of the most celebrated military leaders. The prestige of Yajatra and Vidura does not suffer although they are descended from a Śūdra.¹ Alliances between Kshatriyas and Brahmans, even between these high personages and the lowest castes, are frequent.² We scarcely find any traces of general religious education for young nobles, although this is enjoined by law;³ still less do we see abstinence from meat or liquor observed by warriors.⁴ And yet the rule is known. More than once the theoretic condemnation is given a prominent place in the same story that bears witness to its violation.⁵ After this, it is not surprising to meet with kings of any and every caste,⁶ when Manu himself admits the possibility of a Śūdra enjoying kingly power.⁷