Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.370

c12.370

Notwithstanding these provisions, we hear of some teachers instructing śūdras. Manu provides that he who instructs śūdra pupils or learns from a śūdra teacher should not be invited at the śrāddha.⁴ It is not clear whether the śūdra teacher or pupils refer to heretics. In a list of ten kinds of people who may receive education from the teacher occurs the name of the śuśrūṣu, who is taken by Kullūka as a servant (paricāraka),⁵ and perhaps may refer to a śūdra.