Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.661

c13.661

⁷ Several provisions, however, stress the necessity of observing the rites, especially on the part of the brāhmaṇa. If he does not say his prayers, or perform the agnihotra, and takes to the duties of a trader or a cultivator, he is reduced to the position of a śūdra or vṛṣala. *Anu. P.*, (NE) 104. 19-20; (SE) 161.20, (SE) 217. 10-12; *Aśvamedhika Parvan*, (SE) 116. 11-12; cf. *ŚP*, XII. 63. 3-5; Non-observance of the religious rites and *saṃskāras* such as keeping fire, *upanayana*, vows etc., and officiating for non-sacrificing people as well as serving the śūdras are regarded as so many *upapātkas* for a brāhmaṇa. *Yāj.*, III. 234-242.