Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.179

c12.179

Generally Manu lays down very severe punishments for śūdras offending against the members of the superior varṇas. Thus if a śūdra insults a twice-born with gross invective, he shall have his tongue cut out.⁵ The term twice-born (dvijāti) indicates only the brāhmaṇa and the kṣatriya, for this punishment is expressly forbidden in the case of a śūdra reviling a vaiśya.⁶ Manu further provides that, if a śūdra mentions the names and castes of the twice-born (dvijāti) with contumely, an iron nail, ten fingers long, shall be thrust red-hot into his mouth.⁷ If he arrogantly teaches brāhmaṇas their duties, the king shall cause hot oil to be put into his mouth and into his ears.⁸ Jayaswal suggests that these provisions are directed against the ‘dharma’-preaching learned śūdras, i.e. the Buddhist or Jain śūdras and śūdras who claim equality with the higher classes.⁹ Apparently these provisions are laws against the author’s political opponents, who flout the established order.¹⁰