Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c10.371

c10.371

The Dharmasūtra’s exclusion of the śūdra from Vedic education naturally led to his exclusion from sacrifices and sacraments, which could be performed only with the Vedic mantras. A rule of the *Āśvalāyana Gṛhyasūtra*⁸ is interpreted as suggesting that the śūdra could hear the Vedic mantras to be recited on the occasion of the *madhuparka* ceremony.¹ Similarly Jaiminī quotes an old teacher Bādari as stating that the Vedic sacrifice can be performed by members of all the four varṇas.² But he does not approve of this idea,³ and thus seems to represent the dominant view of his age. The śūdra could not lay the sacred fire for the Vedic sacrifice.⁴ He could not perform any sacrament.⁵ He came to be excluded from the Vedic sacrifice to such an extent that in the performance of certain rites even his presence and sight were to be avoided.⁶ Ordinarily a śūdra could not use even the current exclamation *namaḥ*;⁷ he could do this only if he was especially permitted to do so.⁸ Gautama, however, quotes certain authorities who allow a śūdra to perform a select list of small Vedic sacrifices known as the *pāka-yajñas* (simple domestic rites).⁹ Baudhāyana quotes others as stating that submersion in water and bathing are prescribed for all the varṇas, but sprinkling water over the body along with the recitation of the mantras is the particular duty of the twice-born.¹⁰