Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.212

c9.212

In one of the supplementary formulae of the *Vājasaneyi Saṃhitā*, to be used in connection with various seasonal and domestic sacrifices, a desire is expressed for talking *kalyāṇivāk* to the member of all the varṇas.³ It is contended that this refers to the equal right of all classes to the study of the Veda.⁴ But the term *kalyāṇivāk* does not stand for the Veda. The commentators are right when they take it in the sense of kind and courteous speech.⁵ It would imply that nice words were to be used in talking to the members of all the varṇas. A distinction, however, appears in the *Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa*, where, in the instructions for the performance of a certain ceremony, modes of address vary according to the varṇas. Thus the terms ‘come hither’ (*ehi*), ‘approach’ (*āgahi*), ‘hasten hither’ (*adrava*) and ‘run hither’ (*ādhāva*) are respectively used in calling the preparer of the offerings (*haviṣkṛt*) from the brāhmaṇa, the rājanyabandhu, the vaiśya and the śūdra varṇas.⁶ Such discriminations are frequently noticed in the social intercourse of post-Vedic times.