Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.206

c12.206

For the expiation of the sin of murder Manu prescribes the performance of the lunar penance, which varies in length according to the varṇa of the murdered person. A penance lasting for three years is prescribed in the case of the murder of a brāhmaṇa and a penance for 2½ months in the case of the murder of a śūdra.¹ For killing a śūdra Manu prescribes a wergeld of ten cows and a bull,² such as is found in the earlier law-books. But he adds that this fine is to be paid to a brāhmaṇa.³ Similarly, like the earlier lawgivers, he prescribes the same penance for killing a śūdra as for killing a number of small animals and birds.⁴ Such provisions leave no doubt that Manu attaches very little importance to the life of a śūdra. Curiously enough, in one provision of Manu’s rules regarding murder there is no trace of varṇa distinctions. If the case involves the death of a member of any varṇa, a falsehood may be spoken and the sin arising therefrom may be expiated by making offering to the Sarasvatī.⁵ Manu also declares that slaying women, śūdras, vaiśyas and kṣatriyas is a minor offence, causing loss of caste.⁶ But this rule is probably merely meant to emphasise the importance of the life of a brāhmaṇa.