Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.131

c12.131

The *bhṛtaka* was distinguished by his lacerated body, dishevelled hair and dirty clothers,⁹ for a well dressed person could not find employment in the *bhṛtakavithi*, although he waited there for the whole day.¹ Manu gives some idea of the food and dress of the śūdras who were employed as domestic servants. In this respect he merely repeats and to some extent elaborates the old provision of Gautama. A śūdra servant should be allotted by his master suitable maintenance commensurate with his ability, industry and the size of his family.² He should be given remnants of food, refuse of grain, worn out clothes and old beds³ In the *Milinda-pañha* tender wives of kṣatriyas, brāhmaṇas and gahapatis are described as eating tasteful cakes and meat,⁴ but there is no mention of the wives of śūdras in this connection.