Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.358

c13.358

Similarly, like Manu, the *Śānti Parvan* defines a vṛṣala (i.e. a śūdra) as one who defies the established order (dharma).¹ The hostile attitude of the śūdra can be also inferred from a passage of the *Nārada Smṛti*. It declares that, if the king does not exercise the power of the sword (daṇḍa), brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas will all abandon their work, but the śūdras will surpass all the rest.² Yājñavalkya repeats the provision of Kauṭilya that the śūdra who pierces the eyes of others,³ pretends to be a brāhmaṇa, and acts against the king should be fined a sum of 800 paṇas.⁴ Certain sections of śūdras such as actors, gamblers, keepers of gaming houses and other persons of this kind are considered sources of disorder to the state, for they cause harm to the better classes of subjects (*bhadrikāḥ prajāḥ*).⁵ A passage from a manuscript of the *Śānti Parvan* ordains that dāsas and mlecchas should be dealt with through the same agencies, and that force should be used against the caṇḍālas and mlecchas.⁶ All this suggests that the old antagonism between śūdras and the ruling classes continued in some form or other, but it probably lost in intensity thanks to the provisions for śūdra ministers, the association of the head of the guilds of artisans with the work of the district administration, the lessening of varṇa distinctions in the administration of law, and finally the recognition of the śūdras’ right to bear arms in times of emergency.