Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.316

c9.316

In addition to the śūdra’s exclusion from the general Vedic sacrifice, there are instances of his dissociation from certain specific Vedic rituals. For instance, the Soma sacrifice (soma-yāga) is prescribed for the brāhmaṇa, the vaiśya and the rājanya.² The agnihotra (an oblation to Agni) is to be performed by an ārya, who according to the commentator, is a member of the three higher varṇas.³ The śūdra is expressly prohibited from milking the cow for the milk required at the agnihotra,⁴ because he is supposed to be born of untruth.⁵ Accordingly the earthen pot for milking (sthālī) is to be prepared by an Āryan.⁶ But such a prohibition does not occur in the Vājasaneyi and the Taittirīya collections of the Yajus; it occurs only in the supplementary portions of the Maitrāyaṇi and Kapiṣṭhala collections. The corresponding passage in the Kāṭhaka Saṃhitā is without accent, which suggests its later insertion. Furthermore, the Āpastamba Śrautasūtra, which is considered as the oldest of its kind,⁷ gives the alternative provision that the śūdra can milk the cow.⁸ The commentator tries to circumvent this meaning by pointing out that he can do it when allowed.⁹ All this would show that the ban on the śūdra’s milking of the cow at the agnihotra may not belong to the genuine portions of the Saṃhitās. It may be ascribed to the time of the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa.¹⁰