Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.593

c13.593

The śrāddha rites, as laid down in the Gṛhyasūtras, are not prescribed for a śūdra,⁸ but the texts of this period clearly allow these rites to a śūdra.⁹ He can perform not only the ordinary (sādhāraṇa) śrāddha but also the extraordinary (vṛddhi) śrāddha,¹⁰ in which offerings are made to dead ancestors on special occasions such as the birth of a son.¹¹ We further learn that after death Prājāpatya is the heaven assigned to the brāhmaṇas who perform the ceremonies, Aindra to the kṣatriyas who do not flee in battle, Māruta to the vaiśyas who carry out their duties, and Gāndharva to the śūdras who are engaged in menial service.¹²