Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.343

c9.343

The contradiction in the position of the śūdra during the later Vedic period may be partly explained by the chronological position of the references. Generally the non-admission of the śūdra to rituals, which permeated all spheres of life, is to be found almost exclusively in later texts. But we also find rights and disabilities existing side by side. This may be accounted for by the existence of decaying tribal features alongside growing varṇa distinctions. As a member of the Āryan tribes the śūdra retained some of the tribal rights of taking part in various rituals, even when he was being thrown into the ranks of the serving order.