Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.108
Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.108
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c9.108
The Sabhā Parvan, which is regarded as one of the earliest portions of the Mahābhārata, tells us that respectable śūdras were invited to the great coronation sacrifice (rājasūya) of Yudhiṣṭhira.² The contradictory statement that no non-sacrificing śūdra was present on the occasion³ probably reflects a later attempt to exclude śūdras from political power. At any rate it seems clear that at least some sections of the śūdras participated in the coronations of kings.