[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v2.c4.s7.234 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s7.234 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s7.234 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.s7.234](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.234) 1. \*The Names of the Castes.\*—The most regular names are Brāhmaṇa, Rājanya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra,⁴⁰ or later Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Śūdra.⁴¹ There are many other variants: Brahman, Kṣatra, Śūdrāryau;⁴² Brahman, Rājanya, Śūdra, Ārya;⁴³ Brahman, Rājanya, Vaiśya, Śūdra;⁴⁴ Brāhmaṇa, Rājan, Viśya, Śūdra;⁴⁵ Deva, Rājan, Śūdra, Ārya;⁴⁶ and Brahman, Kṣatra, Viś, and Śūdra.⁴⁷ In other cases the fourth class is represented by a special member: Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya, and Cāṇḍāla.⁴⁸ Often only the three upper classes are mentioned, as Brāhmaṇa, Rājanya, Vaiśya;⁴⁹ Brahman, Kṣatram, Viś,⁵⁰ etc.⁵¹ Three castes—Brāhmaṇa, Rājan, Śūdra—are mentioned in the Atharvaveda,⁵² and two castes are repeatedly mentioned together, either Brahman and Kṣatra, or Kṣatra and Viś.⁵³ - [Previous: v2.c4.s7.233](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.233) - [Next: v2.c4.s7.235](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.235) - [Up: v2.c4.s7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.234](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s7.234) · Pramāṇa