Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.525

c13.525

The old maxim that the śūdras have no religious rights is repeated in this period. It is argued⁷ that their sacrifice consists in performing the service of the three higher varṇas.¹ In keeping with this attitude Nārada states that consecrated water should not be given to atheists, vrātyas and slaves.² But Viṣṇu provides that under certain circumstances a śūdra has to undergo the ordeal by sacred libation (kośa).³ There also appear other indications of changes in the religious position of the śūdras. The Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa assigns the duties of making gifts (dāna) and performing sacrifices (yajña) to the śūdra.⁴ There is no doubt that the śūdras were conceded the right to perform the five great sacrifices (pañcamahāyajñas).⁵ Manu does not clearly state this, but Yājñavalkya makes it explicit that a śūdra can perform five sacrifices with the namaskāra mantra.⁶ Hopkins is not correct when he says that this statement does not appertain to the śūdras,⁷ for it is corroborated by other sources.⁸ While Manu regards initiation into sacrifice (yajñadikṣā) as one of the births of the twice-born,⁹ this special privilege is not mentioned in the corresponding passage of Yājñavalkya.¹⁰ This is in consonance with the latter's liberal attitude, which allows sacrifice to the śūdras. The Śānti Parvan unequivocally declares that the trayi (three Vedas) allows the śūdra the use of svāhākāra namaskāra and mantra, and adds that with the help of the first two he can perform the pākayajñas, after being formally consecrated.¹¹ In justification of this reform the precedent of the śūdra Paijavana is cited. It is said that in ancient times he performed one of the *pākayajñas*, and according to the rules of the *aindrāgni* (a one-day sacrifice) he made the gift of a hundred thousand vessels full of rice (*pūrṇapātras*).¹ This reminds us of similar practices of modern social reformers who hunt out old precedents in favour of widow marriage, divorce etc. While allowing domestic sacrifices to the śūdras the *Śānti Parvan* makes the important assertion that all the varṇas enjoy the right to perform sacrifices provided they possess faith.²