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'''Shudra''' (]: शूद्र ''{{IAST|Śūdra}}'') was the fourth ], as prescribed in the Purusha Sukta of the Rig veda, which constitutes society into four varnas or Chaturvarna. The other three varnas were ] - priests, ] - those with governing functions, ] - agriculturalists, cattle rearers and traders. The Shudra performed functions of serving the other three varna. The varna system became rigid in the later Vedic period<ref>.</ref> '''Shudra''' (]: शूद्र ''{{IAST|Śūdra}}'') is the fourth ], as prescribed in the '']'' of the '']'', which constitutes society into four varnas or Chaturvarna. The other three varnas are ] - priests, ] - those with governing functions, ] - agriculturalists, cattle rearers and traders. According to this ancient text, the Shudra perform functions of serving the other three varna. The varna system became rigid in the later ] period<ref>.</ref>
==Origins== ==Origins==
Whilst the origins of the other varnas can be traced to ] words, the word ''varna'' is translated as the ] word for colour. In the '']'', it is said that there was only one Varna—Brahmana—in the beginning. The other varnas were formed depending on the dominance of the three ]s—], ], and ]—in one's self. The varnas were socio-economical roles that people take in a society.<ref></ref> Whilst the origins of the other varnas can be traced to Vedic words, the word ''varna'' is translated as the ] word for colour. In the '']'', it is said that there was initially only one varna, being Brahmana. The other varnas were formed depending on the dominance of the three ]s — ], ], and ] — in one's self. The varnas were socio-economical roles that people take in a society.<ref></ref>


It is also mentioned in the '']'' of the '']'' that ''shudras'' are said to have emanated from the feet of the Virat Purush (पद्भ्याम् शूद्र् अजायत ''padbhyām śūdro ajāyata'').<ref></ref> It is also mentioned in the ''Purusha sukta'' of the ''Rig Veda'' that ''shudras'' are said to have emanated from the feet of the Virat Purush (पद्भ्याम् शूद्र् अजायत ''padbhyām śūdro ajāyata'').<ref></ref>
===Singaya-Nayak inscriptions=== ===Singaya-Nayak inscriptions===
An inscription of ''Singaya-Nayaka'' (1368 CE) declares that belonging to the fourth ''varna'' was a matter of pride:<ref>{{cite book |last=Sastri |first=K. Rama |title="Akkalapundi grant of Singaya-Nayaka: Saka-Samvat 1290" Epigraphica Indica, vol. XIII |year=1982 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |location= India| pages= 259ff., v.5–7}} </ref> An inscription of ''Singaya-Nayaka'' (1368 CE) declares that belonging to the fourth ''varna'' was a matter of pride:<ref>{{cite book |last=Sastri |first=K. Rama |title="Akkalapundi grant of Singaya-Nayaka: Saka-Samvat 1290" Epigraphica Indica, vol. XIII |year=1982 |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |location= India| pages= 259ff., v.5–7}} </ref>

Revision as of 17:04, 13 August 2011

Shudra (Sanskrit: शूद्र Śūdra) is the fourth Varna, as prescribed in the Purusha Sukta of the Rig veda, which constitutes society into four varnas or Chaturvarna. The other three varnas are Brahmans - priests, Kshatriya - those with governing functions, Vaishya - agriculturalists, cattle rearers and traders. According to this ancient text, the Shudra perform functions of serving the other three varna. The varna system became rigid in the later Vedic period

Origins

Whilst the origins of the other varnas can be traced to Vedic words, the word varna is translated as the Sanskrit word for colour. In the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata, it is said that there was initially only one varna, being Brahmana. The other varnas were formed depending on the dominance of the three Gunas — Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas — in one's self. The varnas were socio-economical roles that people take in a society.

It is also mentioned in the Purusha sukta of the Rig Veda that shudras are said to have emanated from the feet of the Virat Purush (पद्भ्याम् शूद्र् अजायत padbhyām śūdro ajāyata).

Singaya-Nayak inscriptions

An inscription of Singaya-Nayaka (1368 CE) declares that belonging to the fourth varna was a matter of pride:

The three castes, Brahmanas and the next (Kshatriyas and Vaishyas), were produced from the face, the arms and the thighs of the Lord; and for their support was born the fourth caste from His feet. River Ganges, the purifier of the three worlds also sprang from Lord's feet. The members of this caste are eagerly attentive to their duties, not wicked, pure-minded, and are devoid of passion and other such blemishes; they ably bear all the burdens of the earth by helping those born in the other caste.

Another inscription relates how his relative Kapaya-Nayaka, "rescued the Andhra country from the ravages of the Mohammedans".

Notable Shudras

See also

Further reading

  • "Who were the Shudras", B. R. Ambedkar
  • Shudras in Ancient India, R. Chandra and K.L. Chanchreek. New Delhi, Shree Pub., 2004, ISBN 81-88658-65-0.

References

  1. .Law of prevention of atrocities on the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes By T. R. Naval
  3. Law of prevention of atrocities on the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes By T. R. Naval
  4. Sastri, K. Rama (1982). "Akkalapundi grant of Singaya-Nayaka: Saka-Samvat 1290" Epigraphica Indica, vol. XIII. India: Archaeological Survey of India. pp. 259ff., v.5–7.
  5. Sastri, K. Rama (1982). "Akkalapundi grant of Singaya-Nayaka: Saka-Samvat 1290" Epigraphica Indica, vol. XIII. India: Archaeological Survey of India. p. 261.
  6. Ṭi. Ecc. Pi Centāraśśēri (1 January 1998). History of the Indigenous Indians. APH Publishing. pp. 62–. ISBN 9788170249597. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
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