Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.87

c13.87

The period shows a number of other signs which indicate the general weakening of the institution of slavery and the increasing freedom of the śūdras from the obligation to serve as slaves. As it is shown earlier, Kauṭilya's laws of manumission of slaves generally apply to those who are born of āryan parents or are āryans themselves. But Yājñavalkya introduces a very important principle when he asserts that nobody can be reduced to slavery without his consent; such a person has to be emancipated.¹ According to the commentary of Jagannātha Tarkapañcānana this means that a śūdra, a kṣatriya or a vaiśya employed in servile work without his own consent shall be released by the king.² Thus the above provision completely reverses Manu’s precept, which provides for the forcible enslavement of a śūdra.³