Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c10.501.3

c10.501.3

In the *Sāmaññaphala Sutta* Ajātaśatru of Magadha, after pointing out the advantages derived by mahouts, horsemen, home-born slaves, cooks, barbers, bath attendants, confectioners, garland-makers, washermen, weavers, basket-makers and potters from their occupations,² enquires of the Buddha whether the members of the Order, who have given up the world, derive any corresponding advantages visible in this life from their own profession. In his reply the Buddha lays bare the contrast between the luxurious and full life of the king, who is in possession of the five pleasures of sense, and the life of a slave-servant who rises up earlier, goes to bed later, is always keen to carry out the master's orders and anxious to make himself agreeable to his master in everything.³ The Buddha further adds that the slave wants to live like a king and in order to earn merits for that purpose becomes a recluse.