Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.498

c13.498

The untouchables, and the caṇḍālas in particular, are portrayed in very disparaging terms. It is stated that the antyāvasāyins are characterised by impurity, untruth, theft, heterodoxy, useless quarrels, passions, wrath and greed.¹ Ferocity appears as a special trait of the caṇḍāla’s character. In the Mṛcchakaṭika the caṇḍālas argue that they are not caṇḍālas, though born in their family, but caṇḍālas and sinners are those who persecute a virtuous man.² A Buddhist text contends that, if a brāhmaṇa does not cultivate truth, asceticism, sublimation of passions, and compensation for all beings, he is like a caṇḍāla.³ In the same spirit it is provided that by serving kine and brāhmaṇas, practising the virtues of abstention from cruelty, compassion, truthfulness of speech and forgiveness, and, if need be, by saving others by laying down their very lives, persons of the mixed castes can achieve success.⁴