Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.263

c12.263

Manu introduces varṇa distinctions even in the ceremony of naming the child, which naturally emphasises the low position of the śūdra. According to him a brāhmaṇa’s name should denote something auspicious, a kṣatriya’s name power, a vaiśya’s name wealth and a śūdra’s name something contemptible.¹ As a corollary to this he states that the titles of the members of the four varṇas should respectively imply happiness, protection, prosperity and service.² We have no evidence that this practice was widely followed, but Manu’s provisions with regard to names show that the members of the lower orders were generally objects of contempt in brāhmaṇical society. Thus the word vṛṣala used for the śūdra was a term of abuse and opprobrium. While illustrating a rule of Paṇini regarding the formation of the samāsas Patañjali states that “like the female slave” or “like the vṛṣali” are terms of abuse,³ suggesting thereby that śūdras and slaves were considered despicable elements in society. The vṛṣala was placed in the category of the thief, and both aroused brāhmaṇical hostility.⁴ We also learn that the vṛṣala, the dasyu and the thief were treated as contemptible people.⁵