Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.24

c12.24

The above-mentioned references also show that distinctions between the functions of the vaiśyas and the śūdras were being gradually obliterated. Manu lays down that, if in times of distress the vaiśya finds it difficult to support himself by his own occupations he should take to the occupations of the śūdras, i.e. live by serving the members of the twice-born caste.¹ This is also supported by a passage of the *Questions of Milinda*, where cultivation, trade and tending of cattle are described as the functions of the ordinary folk such as the vaiśyas and the śūdras,² there being no separate mention of the functions of these two classes.