Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.568

c13.568

Altogether in Gupta and post-Gupta times we encounter a large number of rituals which are to be performed by the śūdras. Some of these are in the form of *pākayajñas*, which involve the feeding of the brāhmaṇas. Others are in the nature of rites connected with maternity, birth, marriage, funeral rites, etc., and are called *saṃskāras*. Still others are in the nature of rites for acquiring longevity and are called *pauṣṭikakarmāṇi*.⁸ An early medieval lawgiver permits *pūrta-dharma*, i.e. charity, social service, etc., to the śūdra but without Vedic rites.¹ It is likely that rites meant for warding off the threat and evil effects of the planets were also prescribed for the śūdras. All these rituals taken together betoken a tremendous change in the religious position of the śūdras towards the end of the ancient and the beginning of the early medieval period.