Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.99
Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.99
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c9.99
Again, the śūdra appears in another ceremony of the rājasūya sacrifice, in which the sacrificer gives first gold to the brāhmaṇa and purchases splendour with it; then a bow with three arrows to the rājanya and purchases lustre with it; next a goad to the vaiśya with which he purchases nourishment; and finally a pot of beans to the śūdra with which he purchases longevity.¹ Although varṇa distinctions are maintained and śūdras are probably represented as labourers engaged in agriculture, none the less they are brought into contact with the king and are considered capable of conferring longevity on him.