Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.438

c13.438

The view that members of the higher varṇas can take wives from the members of the lower varṇas is expressed in the texts of this period also.² But there also recurs the idea that wives from the lowest order, i.e. śūdras, are to be espoused for the sake of pleasure.³ The Kāmasūtra does not differentiate the maid servants, kumbhadāsis (maid servants employed in carrying water or harlots?) and wives of washermen and weavers from the prostitutes.⁴ According to this work intercourse with a śūdra woman is neither prohibited nor considered wise.⁵ Vātsyāyana commends marriage within one's own varṇa.⁶ In particular, the idea that the brāhmaṇa should wed a śūdrā, or have intercourse with her or beget sons on her, is strongly discounted in the texts of the period.⁷ But there are cases of deviations from this rule. In the Mṛcchakaṭika the brāhmaṇa Cārudatta marries the prostitute Vasantasenā, although this is done with the special permission of the king.⁸ The same drama represents the brāhmaṇa Śarvilaka as marrying his slave Madanikā.⁹ The literature of the period also supplies instances of kṣatriyas marrying śūdra women.¹⁰