4. Varna system (d): Sudras

The sudras constitute the fourth step of the ladder forming the social structure. The Brahma Purana also like the famous Purusasukta states that the sudra was treated out of the feet of lord Narayana (56.22,23) and it implied that he was lowest among the four classes and was bound to serve all the people. The Brahma Purana states that there were different classes in different dvipas corresponding to the sudra class. Thus the sudras were called Bhaving on Plaksadvipa (20.17), Mand has in the Kusadvipa (20.39), Khyatas in Krauncadvipa (20.53,54), Mandagas in the Sakadvipa (20.71,72). The sudras of the salmaladvipa were black in colour (20.30).

1 233 The Brahma Purana provides reference to the sudras which gives us an idea about their condition. They had gathered together with the members of other classes to witness the sacrifice conducted by the sages (1.8,9). This shows that their presence in the sacrifice was not considered to be unworthy, and that they were not banned from religious observance, though, of course, they are not mentioned here as performing the sacrifice. Again, it is said that the holy sudras who desire the highest bliss in this world and who are engrossed in serving the three castes should worship king Prthu (4.121). This shows that their function was to serve the people of the other three castes and that they were considered fit to receive the highest bliss. ing the sacrifice. formed the sacrifices (20.30), those of the Kusadvipa performed all the rites enjoined by the sastras and also performed the sacrifices, those of Sakadvipa also performed the sastra-enjoined karmans (20.39,71,72). In the Utkalapradesa, the sudras were very religious, peaceful, adhered to their own karmans and restrained (28.8,9), (41.29). The sudras are also described as performThus the sudras of the Salmaladvina porthat they lived in Ujjain (43.30). The Brahma Purana also states 1 The sudras of the Purusottamaksetra are said to adhere to their own Dharma (46.8). At one place, the Brahma Purana states that the snana and

234 japa to be performed by the people of the first three varnas should be accompanied by the vedic mantras whereas the snana and japa to be performed by the women and sudras should be done without the accompaniment of the vedic mantras (67.19). It is said that a brahmin who did not study the vedas was equal to a suara. This also shows that a sudra was not allowed to study the vedas (110.7,8) This shows that they were banned from the vedic studies. In the region of king Dasaratha, they lived happily (123.6) and in the kingdom of Rama, they served the first three varnas (213.148). As regards the performance of sraddha, the Brahma Purana states that women and the sudras should perform the sraddha without kindling fire, performing sacrifice and reciting the mantras (220.4), (222.13,14). This is in consonance with the Dharmasastras.38 y The longest period of impurification viz.of one month is attached to the sudras; and they can resume their work after that period (220.63,64), (221.147,158). As regards the duties of the sudras, the Brahma Purana states that a suara should serve the twice-born and should maintain 38 Kane P.V., HDS., Vol.7 II, PP.117 ff.

235 himself by buying and selling things or through architecture. He should give dana and perform the Pakayajonas without the mantras (222.13-14). born, a sudra was allowed other means of maintenance. This shows that besides serving the twiceThe sudras followed various religious creeds. Thus it is said that the sudras of the Plaksadvipa worship lord Visnu in the form of Vayu, those of the Kusadvipa worshipped lord Visnu in the form of Brahma, those of Sakadvipa worshipped lord Visnu in the form of Sun (20.30,39,71,72). The sudras of the Utkalapradesa also worshipped lord Sun and it is said that those who worship the Sun with pure faith and devotion got the desired things and the highest status (28.37), Again it is stated that the sudras attain Rudraloka by hearing the stuti composed by Daksa in the honour of lord Siva (40.46,136). The Brahma Purana again states that the sudras who worship Nrsimha get freedom from all the pains and obtain the status of gods, Gandharvas, Yaksas, Vidyadharas and other desired objects (58. 61,62). Some other sudras are said to have worshipped lord krsna, Balarama and Subhadra (66.10-12). The sudras get the highest siddhi by devoting themselves to lord Narayana (178. 185-186), (226.14). Those pious sudras who want prosperity should bow down to king Prthu (4.119). The status of a sudra is considered to be very low

236 and it is evidenced by the Brahma Purana when it states that one is. sudra by his very nature. If a brahmin follows the Karmans of a vaisya adhering to greediness and infatuation, he becomes a sudra. If he is discarded by the caste, he falls down from the Brahmaloka and gets sudratva. When a ksatriya or a vaisya performs an action proper for a sudra, the condition of varnasamskaratva arises. Those who do not follow their own 1Karmans get sudrahood (223.19-21). Again, it is said that lord Brahma himself has laid down that one should not take the food of a sudra. A brahmin who dies with the food of sudra in his belly obtains the condition of a sudra even though he be an agnihotrin or a performer of sacrifices (223.22-25). From the above account, it could be seen how base the sudras were considered to be but at the same time the Brahma Purana shows a lenient attitude by providing for them the means to reach the elevated positions. Thus it states that a sudra who sudra purifying himself by knowledge, maintains himself by following his own Dharma gets the merit of that Dharma (223.20-22). Again, it states that a sudra who performs all the actions A according to the sastric injunctions, who takes the food remaining after the reception of guests, who serves higher

237 people, never thinks ill of others, always treads on the right path, ar receives gods and pitrs has a firm determination of receiving all the persons, has intercourse with the wife at the proper time and in the Rtukala, dines punctually and takes the food remaining from that eaten by the learned men and the sages and never eats meat, gets the birth of a vaisya (223.32-36). It is also said that a sudra who passes the life according to the actions prescribed by the sastras should be considered to be holier than the twice-born (223.54.58 1 While describing India, the Brahma Purana states that the Sudras live in the middle of India and serve others (27.17,18).