Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c10.353

c10.353

Although the early Gṛhyasūtras nowhere clearly refer to the exclusion of the śūdra from the rite of initiation, the Āpastamba Dharmasūtra states that he cannot be admitted to the upanayana and the study of the Veda.¹ The presence of a śūdra, and particularly that of a caṇḍāla, is considered a sufficient ground for stopping the recitation of the Veda.² Under such conditions Baudhāyana and Gautama prefer the interruption of all studies.³ The latter further adds that the study should not be always carried on in the same town.⁴ This has been interpreted by Maskarin to mean a town which is inhabited mainly by the śūdras.⁵ Gautama alone states that, if a śūdra recites the Vedic texts, his tongue should be cut out; and if he remembers them, his body should be split in twain.⁶ This terrible measure seems to reflect the extremist attitude of Manu,⁷ and hence may be treated as an interpolation in the law-book of Gautama. Nevertheless, it is evident that even during this period the idea of imparting Vedic education to a śūdra was vehemently opposed.