Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.89

c9.89

But the position of the śūdra ratnins needs further clarification. Firstly, they are not specified by their varṇa name, as is to be found in the case of the brāhmaṇa, the rājanya and the vaiśya ratnins.⁸ Secondly, in respect of powers, functions and representation the scales may have weighed heavily against the śūdra ratnins, whose appearance in political rituals in course of time may have been reduced to a matter of form. The number of the śūdra ratnins in individual lists varies from two to three.⁹