Chapter 242 - Eighteen Prakṛtis (Castes and Sub-castes)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:

1. O grandfather, what are the eighteen Prakṛtis (castes and sub-castes)? Tell me. What is their avocation? What is their duty? Tell me everything in detail.

Brahmā said:

2. I was born from the inside of a lotus grown from the navel of the Lord when the Lord of the universe woke up at the end of his self-calculated measure of time.

3. After a lapse of a great deal of time formerly, I was remembered by Keśava who desired mentally to create various types of Rājasic progeny.

4. I became his four-faced son born of the lotus. Through the hollow stalk of the lotus at his navel, I entered his belly and surveyed.

5. Thereupon, millions of cosmic eggs came within my view. Again I reflected with wonder and began to hasten for the activity of creation.

6. By the time I came out through the hollow stalk of the lotus, everything pertaining to the process of creation was forgotten by me.

7. Again I went in as before and created the four types of subjects. I came out through the hollow stalk at the navel and my innermost soul sank into obliviousness.

8. I became sluggish and insentient as it were. An unembodied speech issued forth, “O highly intelligent one, practise austerity, practise austerity. Sluggishness is not proper for you.”

9. Then I performed penance for ten thousand years. Thereafter, the imperishable ethereal voice spoke to me:

10-H. The voice became manifest, due to the power of the penance originally in the form of the Vedas. Thereafter, I was commanded by the Lord: “Create thou, the multi-formed progeny.” Resorting to the Rājasa Guṇa carry out the creation of living beings devoid of impurity.” At the outset, the mental creation was thought about by me.

12. Then Brāhmaṇas (sons of Brahmā), the leading sage Marīci and others were born. You were born as the youngest of them. You became a master of wisdom, well-versed in the Vedāntas.

13. They were steadfast in their holy rites always. They were always ready for the sake of creation. (But you) were free from activities, a devotee of Viṣṇu, solely devoted to Brahman.

14-15. You are my mental son, free from egotism and Mamatā (sense of possession).

Gradually, in order to preserve the Vedas the first mental creation of the Dvijas etc., was begun by me. Then, O Nārada,

I started the organic (pertaining to body) creation.

16. Brāhmaṇas were born from the mouth of mine and then Kṣatriyas from the arms. Vaiśyas were born from the thighs and Śūdras issued forth from the feet.

17. Further, there was a mingling of these castes in due order from the higher to the lower and contrarily from the lower to the higher. Thus (castes) lower than Śūdras were born from the sole of the feet.

18. All these are Prakṭtis born out of the parts of mine, O Nārada; learn their names which I shall tell you.

19-23. Brāhmaṇa, Kṣatriya and Vaiśya—these three alone are called Dvijātis (Twice-born). The Vedas, their study, penance, sacrifice, worship and Dana (etc. should be adopted by a Brahmaṇa [Brāhmaṇa?]). His livelihood shall be through teaching and that too with very little remuneration. Thanks to his austerities, a Brāhmaṇa may deserve the remuneration. Yet it is better to refrain from accepting it and thus there is the preservation of his power of austerities.

Vedic chanting, adoration of Viṣṇu, meditation on Brahman, non-covetousness, absence of anger, eschewal of impurities, forbearance to the utmost, nobility and magnanimity, promptness to perform holy rites, active indulgence in charity etc., should be adopted by a Brāhmaṇa. He should always be adorned with the qualities of truthfulness etc. He who is thus endowed is called a Vipra (Brāhmaṇa). Yajña, Tapas and Dāna should be practised by a Kṣatriya.

24-25. He must chant the Vedas and be devoted to Brāhmaṇas. He maintains (himself) through weapons (military profession). For the sake of protecting women, children, cows, Brāhmaṇas, earth (kingdom) etc. he must wield weapons. When there is a danger to his Lord (kings etc.) he must be active. The very word Kṣatriya indicates that he must be a refuge unto the affected ones and protect the distressed ones. Such Kṣatriyas are made by Brahmā.

26-27. A Vaiśya is one who increases capital wealth. He is a farmer and he breads cattle. He sells Rasas (juices) etc. and adores Devas and Brāhmaṇas. Through the interest earned, he causes increase of wealth. He causes people to perform Yajñas and other rites. It is cited that Dāna and Adhyayana (self-study) constitute his duties.

28-32a. A Śūdra always causes all these to be carried out but without the utterance of the Mantras. He performs regular Śrāddhas (worship) for six deities. He gives libations by mere utterance of Mantra. Through obeisance he earns devotion to the deities and the twice-born ones.

Even a Śūdra should get up early in the morning and pay respects to the feet (of elders). Reciting verses full of devotion to Viṣṇu, he shall attain the status of Viṣṇu. It has been mentioned that a Śūdra householder also regularly performs the annual Vratas on the proper lunar days, days of the week and (with the proper) presiding deities. He should offer cooked food to all living beings. Such a Śūdra, performing the holy rites without the utterance of the Mantras, becomes liberated.

Even a Śūdra regularly observing Cāturmāsya Vrata shall attain identity with Hari.

32b-34. The eighteen Prakṛtis (castes with various subcastes) are as follows: Śilpin (artisan), Nartaka (dancer), Kāṣṭhakāra (lumberman), Prajāpati (pot-maker), Vardhaki (carpenter), Citraka (painter, artist), Sūtraka (spinner of threads), Rajaka (washerman), Gacchaka (tree-feller), Tantukāraka (weaver), Cakrika (oil-monger), Carmakāraka (cobbler), Sūnika (butcher), Dhvaniv [dhvanikacśaivea—Dhvani/Dhvanika?] (drummaker), Kaulhika (acrobat?), Matsyaghātaka (fisherman), Aunāmika and Cāṇḍāla.

35. The following six are the highest among Prakṛtis: Śilpika, Svarṇakāra (goldsmith), Dāruka (wood-worker), Kāṃsyakāraka (brazier), Kāḍuka (?) Kāṇḍakāra (maker of arrows) and Kuṃbhakāra (potter).

36. The following five are the lowest ones: Kharavāhī (donkey driver), Uṣṭravāhī (camel driver), Hayavāhī (using horse as beast of burden), Gopāla (cowherd) and Iṣṭikākara (brick-maker):

37. The following seven are the meanest Antyajas (lowest ones): Rajaka, Carmakāra, Naṭa, Buruḍa, Kaivarta, Meda and Bhilla.

38-39. If anyone is of a lower caste than another that man is the eighteenth one (unto him). There are three types of all the Prakṛtis: the excellent, the medium (middling) and the Sama (equal, low level). This classification is in accordance with the decision of the Smṛtis. It should be known that the seven Śilpins (artisans) have been cited as the excellent.

40. Those seven are: goldsmith, Kambuka, (conch-shell artisan), Tandulī (rice-dealer), Puṣpalāvaka (flower-dealer, florist), Tāmbūlī (betel-leaf merchant), Nāpita (barber) and Maṇikāra (lapidary, artisan dealing with jewels).

41-42. These Prakṛtis are not subject to injunctions pertaining to: holy ablution, Homa unto the deities, penance and restraints, self-study of the Vedas, offering oblations to deities, ritualistic cleanliness and marriage rites. But the adoration of the preceptor at all times is necessarily laid down. The greatest of the rites enjoined upon the Prakṛti is making gifts to Brāhmaṇas.

43. O great sage, devotion to Viṣṇu is always auspicious in the case of all Varṇas, Āśramas and all the Prakṛtis (lower castes).

44. Thus, everything pertaining to the Prakṛtis has been narrated to you. Listen to the highly meritorious story how a Śūdra attained purity.

45. This Purāṇa is highly sacred and pure. A person of clear intellect who listens to it or reads it, shakes off all the sins incurred earlier. Engaged in holy rites he attains the abode of Viṣṇu.