Historical Elements in the Matsya Purana

by Chaitali Kadia | 2021 | 91,183 words

This page relates ‘Varna (4): The Shudras’ of the study on the historical elements of the Matsya-purana: one of the eighteen Mahapuranas which are Sanskrit texts that have preserved the cultural heritage, philosophy, religion, geography, etc of ancient India. This Matsyapurana was originally written in 20,000 verses and deals with topics such as architecture, ancient history, polity, religion and philosophy.

Varṇa (4): The Śudras

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The words ‘Śudra ’, ‘Antaja ’ and ‘Pādaja ’ are used in the Matsya Purāṇa to denote this order. The word ‘Śudra ’ is found in the Ṛgveda (RV-10/90/12). In the Matsya Purāṇa it is said that Śudra originated from the feet of Vāmadeva and as a result he was called ‘Pādaja’.^[1] From this explanation it is understood that the Śudras are the lowest caste of the society and the servants of all. It is said in the Matsya Purāṇa that the Śudras, like all other castes, were engaged in their work during the Kṛtya Yuga . Their duty was to serve members of other castes.^[2] But in Kali Yuga the Śudras will sit on the King’s seat in their power.^[3] However, the Brahmin writers do not approve of this phenomenon because it is not a matter of their choice and it is considered as a horrible origin of the Kali era. This undesirable condition was later ended by Pramati’s activities.^[4]

The position of Śudras in the society was deplorable. There were various obstacles in their lives. For example, they could not receive Vedic education and participate in Vedic sacrifices. Nowhere in the Matsya Purāṇa is it mentioned that the Śudras could generally participate in Vedic education and Vedic activities. It is only mentioned that in the ungodly and perverted Kali Yuga , they manifested themselves by overcoming all their obstacles and participated in Vedic teachings with everyone else.^[5] According to the author of Dharmasāstra , only the Matsya Purāṇa allowed the Śudras to perform Śrāddha without chanting Vedic mantras. It is said in the Matsya Purāṇa that the Śudras will be able to perform general Śrāddha and Vṛddhisrāddha .^[6] The Sudras must be generous because charity will fulfill all their desires.^[7] The Śudras could also perform some vows. E.g. Rohinicandrasāyana vow (MP-57/6) and Angaraka vow (MP-72/28). However, it was advisable to recite a few Vedic mantras to perform these two vows.^[8] There is an example in the Matsya Purāṇa that under the direction of Bāli, his wife Sudesṇā sends one of his maid, Dhātreyikā, for intercourse without going herself to Dirghatamā.^[9] This is a harsh and cruel incident which proves how low class the Śudras were. This further proves that the Śudras were employed properly, but they had no honor. Or it can be said that the Śudra maids did not have much knowledge about sex so they were made to do these things. On the other hand, it can be said that they may have done this in silence for lack of food. There is also a mention in the Matsya Purāṇa that the Śudras also worked as servants in the house of a prostitute. In the house of a prostitute named Lilāvati, a Śudra named Śounda used to work as goldsmith. He and his wife helped Lilāvati in donate Lavanācala and made an idol and a gold tree for Lilāvati just for free for religion only. God was pleased with his and his wife’s service, which resulted in the birth of thesupreme king Dharmamurti and his wife, the most beautiful Bhanumati.^[10]

King Yayāti freed the Śudras from bandits and saved their lives. All these examples prove that the Śudras , no matter how inferior they were, were protected from the kings. And in terms of religion, they also got some benefits like other castes. Because the Matsya Purāṇa sanctioned that, like other castes, they too would be reborn as inhabitants of Śivapurā incase of death in the Avimuktakṣetra (MP-181/19).

Antyaja:

There are two types of words used in the Matsya Purāṇa–‘Antyaja ’ and ‘Antajanmana ’. There are many such races in the ancient Vedic literature which have been called Antyaja in the Smṛti . Different races like Candāls , Pulakas etc. were generally called Antyaja .

The general meaning of the word ‘Antyaja ’ or ‘Antajanmana ’ is ‘last birth’ or ‘low birth’. Naturally it is thought to be the Śudras who lived at the lowest level of society. In the Matsya Purāṇa , these two terms mean Śudra . And in Manusmṛti also Śudra nation is meant in the sense of ‘Antyaja ’.^[11] In the bull-sacrifices law (Vṛṣotsarga Vidhi ) of Matsya Purāṇa , it is said that the black bull is suitable for the oppressed, i.e. for the Śudras .^[12] It is also said in the Matsya Purāṇa that if one has intercourse with a śudra girl, one has to make a vow of Cāndrāyana as penance.^[13] If a Brahmin unknowingly has intercourse with a Śudra girl, eats food or receive alms from her, then that Brahmin falls from his religious. And if he knowingly has done this then that Brahmin is equal to that lower caste.^[14] The house of the oppressed nation was considered evil and it was believed that if the shadow of this house fell, there was a fear ofbeing shot (MP-255/14).