Significance of Candala
The term Candala, across various texts, consistently refers to a marginalized social group or individual within ancient Indian society. They are frequently described as outcasts or belonging to the lowest caste, often associated with impurity, undesirable occupations, and social exclusion. The term highlights themes of social hierarchy, purity, and the consequences of actions. Depending on the specific text, Candala may be linked to rebirth, specific duties like cleaning, or be subject to taboos. Some traditions emphasize the possibility of spiritual merit or liberation for individuals of this group, while others underscore the impact of their presence on ritual purity.
Synonyms: Outcaste, Untouchable, Pariah, Social outcast
In German: Candala; In Finnish: Candala; In Spanish: Candala; In Swedish: Candala; In Malay: Candala; In French: Candala; In Portugese: Candala; In Polish: Candala; In Italian: Candela; In Dutch: Canadees
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Candala'
In Buddhism, Candala represents a multifaceted concept. It encompasses individuals converted by the Buddha, those associated with warnings of death, and members of a low-caste community. They are often marginalized, performing menial tasks, and linked to issues of social status and purity.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) A person converted by the Buddha in the kingdom of Gandhara, and the conversion of the candali was placed in Gandhara, according to the A yu wang tchouan.[1] (2) A community often marginalized and linked to issues of purity and morality within the context of societal structures.[2] (3) An outcaste who helped the king by cutting the upper part of his body to create a wick for the homage.[3] (4) Individuals who rang a bell and shouted warnings about Vitashoka's imminent death during his reign.[4] (5) An outcast who is commanded by the prince to assist in the act of self-sacrifice.[5]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) A group hired by Shyama to procure a dead body to disguise her plan, reflecting societal structures and roles.[6]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) People who also make effort and uphold sila, according to the Buddha, in his argument.[7]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Candalas are described as low-caste people living in a great village near a frontier village where the Bodhisatta abode.[8] (2) A term referring to a low caste in ancient India, used to describe Matanga initially by Dittha-mangalika.[9] (3) A term used to refer to an outcast or a person of lower social status, which Setaketu encounters and discriminates against in the story.[10]
From: Mahavamsa
(1) Candalas were assigned tasks such as street cleaning, sewer maintenance, corpse bearing, and cemetery watch duty.[11]
Hindu concept of 'Candala'
Candala in Hinduism primarily refers to individuals of the lowest social standing, often considered outcasts or untouchables. They are associated with impurity, sin, and societal marginalization, sometimes linked to specific taboos and restricted interactions within the caste system.
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A person from a lower caste, who captures and beats King Harishcandra, symbolizing the social and moral degradations the king faces.[12] (2) A term for people traditionally considered outside the caste system, associated with impure occupations.[13] (3) A term for individuals belonging to the lowest caste, often marginalized in society.[14] (4) Refers to the outcastes or lower classes, whom the supreme devotee honors and worships, indicating a transcended sense of social separation.[15] (5) A class of individuals considered outcasts in the traditional Hindu social structure, who ordered the execution of the queen.[16]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The Candala is an individual whose conduct is questioned by a person of the royal order, with the Candala's actions and background being a central topic of discussion.[17] (2) A class of individuals considered low in caste, often associated with sinful deeds and births in lower orders.[18] (3) A term used for people associated with a low social status, often seen as outcasts in traditional Indian society.[19] (4) A term for individuals considered outside the four pure orders, often associated with negative social implications.[20] (5) An individual born of a low order in society, specifically noted as one who cannot achieve the status of a Brahmana due to being begotten on uncleansed souls.[21]
From: Markandeya Purana
(1) These are individuals of degraded castes who are satisfied by shraddhas performed with ill-gotten wealth, highlighting the consequences of unethical practices.[22] (2) A term referring to a low outcast or untouchable, into which Harishcandra descends to repay his debts.[23] (3) A group of individuals with whom Dattatreya was associated during his spiritual practices, highlighting his disregard for social boundaries.[24] (4) A term referring to an individual of a lower caste, linked to the downfall of King Harishcandra.[25]
From: Bhagavad-gita Mahatmya
(1) A social class often viewed with disdain, representing individuals who, due to their former deeds, receive harsh rebirths.[26] (2) Males and females representing strong sin and censure, respectively, who approach the brahmana in a significant encounter during the narrative.[27]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) The group where Satyavrata went to live after being forsaken.[28]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) A group traditionally regarded as outcasts in society, yet the text affirms that devotion to the divine is accessible to all, transcending caste distinctions.[29]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) A term referring to an outcast or someone belonging to the lowest caste in the social hierarchy.[30]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) King Lavana saw himself as this outcaste due to the illusion imposed by Shambarika, the Siddha.[31]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) A group that, along with persons of higher caste, should never touch or see the slayer of a brahmin.[32]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A distinct social group. Individuals born into this community inherit their social standing, affecting their social interactions and opportunities.[33] (2) The passage identifies the Candala as a man born of the low caste, whose touch is considered defiling in specific ritual contexts, according to the information.[34] (3) Candala is a person whose sight, along with an outcast or a woman in her courses, in the evening necessitates looking at the rising sun, as per Apastamba.[35] (4) The Candala is the individual from whom the Sopaka is born when combined with the Pukkasa woman, as explained within the provided text's context.[36] (5) A term used to describe a low caste, often viewed with disdain and associated with unclean occupations in traditional Indian society.[37]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) The text says that touching a Candala requires a Brahmana to bathe, indicating that contact with individuals from certain social groups requires purification rituals.[38] (2) This refers to offspring born from females married in the inverse order of the castes, representing a specific category of mixed-caste individuals.[39] (3) A Candala is the offspring of a Shudra parent and a female Brahmana parent, indicating a specific caste affiliation resulting from this parental combination, according to the text.[40]
From: Vasistha Dharmasutra
(1) A term for an outcast, associated with specific taboos and requirements, particularly concerning food.[41] (2) A term used to denote a social group considered to be of very low status, often associated with undesirable occupations.[42]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) A group of people to whom some authorities say food should not be given.[43] (2) A term referring to an outcast or a person of low caste, viewed as sinful in the context of social hierarchy.[44]
From: Paraskara-grihya-sutra
(1) A person associated with a social group whose presence in the village requires a stop in study.[45]
From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra
(1) A Candala is listed as one of the persons to avoid looking at after leaving the village, as it is considered an impediment for studying the Veda.[46]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The foolish low-class persons are headed by them, as mentioned in the text.[47] (2) A term used to reference individuals considered low in caste, described as having no better status than those who do not engage with or respect the study of Shrimad Bhagavatam.[48] (3) Individuals considered to be of the lowest class in society, who can also attain liberation through hearing the holy name of the Lord.[49] (4) A marginalized community often referred to as 'dog-eaters', representing one of the lowest castes in Hindu society.[50] (5) A candala is not a candala if he chants the name of Krishna, symbolizing that one's social status does not define their spiritual worth.[51]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) A socially marginalized group, indicating that Lord Gaura's mercy will extend to all, regardless of status.[52] (2) A term used in the text referring to individuals marginalized in society, whose inclusion in the chanting of holy names is emphasized.[53]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) The lowest caste in the society portrayed, represented by Utpalahasta, the father of Suratamanjari.[54] (2) A term for a person considered outcast in society, illustrating themes of social hierarchy and moral judgments in the narrative.[55] (3) A term used to describe a degraded caste of outcasts, reflecting the lowest social status resulting from Parvati's curse.[56]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) A person to whom the remnant of food can be offered by one knowing Vaishvanara, and it would be an offering to the Vaishvanara-Self.[57]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) A marginalized social group whose habitations and cremation places were located outside the village wall, specifically in the north-west.[58]
From: Kautilya Arthashastra
(1) A term used for someone who might be responsible for public execution or punishment in historical contexts.[59]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) A term referring to a member of a low caste in traditional Indian society, used in a context to illustrate the idea of contagion or influence through touch.[60]
Jain concept of 'Candala'
In Jainism, Candala denotes outcastes or a specific low-caste group. This term reflects rebirth consequences based on actions. Rukmin disdains them, refusing his daughter's marriage to Pradyumna, associating him with this stigmatized Candala group.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Low-caste individuals whom Rukmin expresses disdain for, refusing to marry his daughter to Pradyumna, whom he associates with that group.[61]
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) A term used for outcastes or a particular caste, representing one of the outcomes of rebirth linked to actions.[62]
The concept of Candala in local and regional sources
Candala is identified with two meanings: a group disguised as higher caste students denied entry to Takshashila, and in Indonesian, as a person exiled or forced to leave their home. The term originates from Sanskrit.
From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages
(1) Candala, from Sanskrit, in Indonesian means a person in exile, describing someone forced to leave their home or country.[63]