There are various other places where a line is drawn between Shūdra and the twice-born; but the ceremonies where the first three varnas differed are mainly those enumerated above.
The rules referred to above appear to be of considerable antiquity,[1] and most probably they were followed. The proper observance and the maintenance of the rules rested with Brāhmanas themselves, and this is one of the strong reasons for its proper maintenance. Even to-day there is not much departure from these injunctions, though often disputes arise regarding the eligibility of certain peoples to be called Kshatriya or Vaishya.[2]
3. Treatment of Different Varnas at Court.
Let us turn our attention to the rules of our text regarding the treatment of different varnas at the court. It prescribed different formalities for different varnas.
- ↑ See Ashv. Grihya Sutra, 1, 16; 17, I; 18; Päraskara, i, 17, 5; 19, 1-6; ii, 1. Apastamba, i, I, 5, 8-32; 1, 2, 33-43 also given by Baudhāyana and Vashishtha. The rule regarding the naming of the child does not appear to be very ancient. It is repeated only in Vishnusmriti (xxvii, 69) which is a very late work but cannot be traced in any of the early texts. The proper observance of the rule presumes a condition of society where the Brāhmanas are numerous enough to be consulted. The negligence of the observance of the rule is not associated with penance of any kind and therefore the chances of the rule being observed become much less. It is also vain to suppose that a Shūdra would have the first part of the name of the child mean something contemptible even if he be a contemptible Shūdra. Again, our text prescribes that the last part of Shūdra's name should mean service, and this rule itself prevents the first one being followed. It is not impossible that Shūdras would have names like Dwija-dāsa.
- ↑ In Uttararäinacharita, act iv, the guests at the hermitage of Valmiki discovered that Kumāra Lava was a son of Kshatriya from his signs, which an initiated boy of Kshatriya varna bears. Notice also in Raghuvamsha threc verses regarding the bringing up of Raghu.
