Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.369

c13.369

The association of the four colours white, red, yellow and black respectively with the four varṇas shows their relative social status.¹ In representing the *Nāṭyaśāstra* prescribes red for the brāhmaṇa and the kṣatriya,² and dark or deep blue for the vaiśyas and śūdras.³ This work also lays down that in the auditorium a white pillar should be erected for marking seats for the brāhmaṇas, a red pillar for the kṣatriyas, a yellow pillar for the vaiśyas and a blue-black pillar for the śūdras.⁴ Gold and ear ornaments should be thrown at the foot of the brāhmaṇa pillar, copper at the foot of the kṣatriya pillar, silver at the foot of the vaiśya pillar and iron at the foot of the śūdra pillar.⁵ Such provisions are similar to the fiction invented by Plato that philosophers were made of gold, warriors of silver, and agriculturists and artisans of brass and iron.⁶