Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.364

c12.364

Manu reproduces the old injunction confining Vedic studies to the twice-born.¹¹ In contrast to them the śūdras are called ekajāti, i.e. having one birth.¹² The first birth of the āryan is from his natural mother, but the second birth takes place on the tying of the girdle of muñja grass.¹ Therefore a twice-born man who, not having studied the Veda, applies himself to other occupations is reduced to the condition of a śūdra, and his descendants also meet the same fate.² The presence of the śūdra is to be scrupulously avoided while the study of the Veda goes on.³