Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c17.18

c17.18

We have now roughly indicated the legitimate careers marked out for the four castes for which they must prepare in the period of their education. It is, however, to be noted that though the lines of differentiation of occupations normally followed those of caste, the lines were not at all rigid and inelastic. They were departed from under difficulties, distress, or emergencies. Under the pressure of necessity which has no law, the promiscuous pursuit of occupations is permitted, thus exposing the real character and significance of caste as determining the destiny of labour. As a matter of fact, the social and economic divisions were not always coinciding. On this point,¹ "the text of Yājñavalkya is pertinent: 'a Śūdra should serve twice-born men; but if he cannot thus subsist, he may become a trader'; and the profession of a husbandman is allowed to the Śūdra by the *Narasiṁha Purāṇa*, 'let him rely on agriculture for his subsistence.' On this ground, the practice of money-lending by a Śūdra has been mentioned" [Colebrooke's *Digest of Hindu Law*, vol. ii, p. 356].