Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.580

c13.580

It is laid down that a brāhmaṇa should not accompany the corpse of a śūdra to the pyre; if he does so, he is purified by bathing, touching fire and eating ghee.⁵ The old rule providing for the highest period of impurity in the case of death in a śūdra’s family is maintained by several texts of the period.⁶ But in such a case Yājñavalkya prescribes one month for an ordinary śūdra and fifteen days for a pious (nyāyavartin) śūdra, thus placing the latter in the rank of the vaiśya.⁷ Vaiśyas and śūdras are also placed in the same category in connection with the observance of fasts. It is provided that the vaiśyas and śūdras should observe fast for only one night.⁸ If from folly they observe fasts for two or three nights, these do not lead to their advancement.¹ On special occasions, however, they can perform fasts for two nights.² But sometimes it is also asserted that only the brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas can observe the vow of fasts.³