Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.144

c9.144

There is an indication of the lack of civic status of the śūdra in a minor ceremony described in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa. In explaining a rite of new and full-moon day ceremonies (darśapūrṇamāsa) it is argued that the śūdras who are in front of their masters seek their favour, and those who are not capable of making contradictions are to be treated in the same manner as the śūdras.¹ This would suggest that the śūdras were not expected to speak against their master, and were thought to be completely servile.