Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s7.254

v2.c4.s7.254

But the three upper castes in some respects differ markedly from the fourth, the Śūdras. The latter are in the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa⁵⁸ declared not fit to be addressed by a Dikṣita, 'consecrated person,' and no Śūdra is to milk the cow whose milk is to be used for the Agnihotra⁵⁹ ('fire-oblation'). On the other hand, in certain passages, the Śūdra is given a place in the Soma sacrifice,⁶⁰ and in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa⁶¹ there are given formulæ for the placing of the sacrificial fire not only for the three upper castes, but also for the Rathakāra, ‘chariot-maker.’ Again, in the Aitareya Brāhmaṇa,⁶² the Brāhmaṇa is opposed as ‘eater of the oblation’ to the members of the other three castes.