[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958) › c12.206 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.206 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.206 - **Language:** English ### [c12.206](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.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. - [Previous: c12.205](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.205) - [Next: c12.207](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.207) - [Up: c12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12) ## Linked texts (1) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.8.104) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.206](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.206) · Pramāṇa