Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.649

c13.649

A similar assertion is made with regard to all the four varṇas if they recite the hymns dedicated to Mahādeva.¹¹ If vaiśyas, women and śūdras listen to the story of the Dakṣa-Śiva conflict from the brāhmaṇas, they receive a place in the Rudra-loka.¹ Like the members of the three higher varṇas, a śūdra devotee of Śiva is also promised the status of Gaṇapati provided he is not a drunkard.² Thus it would appear that Śaivism also kept its doors equally open to the śūdras.