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Shudra (IAST: Sanskrit and Hindi: शूद्र Śūdra, normally now spelled Sudra or Súdra in English, which has produced a spelling pronunciation) is the lowest Varna in the traditional four-section division in the Caste system. Their assigned and expected role in post-Vedic North India was that of craftsmen and laborers. The four Varnas are Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. They also worked for the Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Brahmins.

Origins

Whilst the origins of the other varnas can be traced to Vedic words, the word is translated as the Sanskrit word for color of the soul. In the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata, 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 Gunas—Sattwa, Rajah and Tamah—in one's self. The varnas were mere socio-economical roles that people take in a society.

Etymology

The etymology of the word is not certain. One theory is that Shudra comes from the word śuchāt dravanam (शुचात् द्रवनम्) a person who is in suffering/mourning/pain, who needs mental or physical cleansing as seen from a racial bias. It may also have been derived from the sanskrit 'Shud' meaning pure. Shudra was a common Sanskrit word, any person regardless of his/her varna to could be addressed as shudra. An implied version of this common form has become traditionally associated with the varna system. It is also mentioned in the purusha-sukta of Rigveda where shudras are said to have emanated from the feet of the lord (पद्भ्याम् शूद्र् अजायत padbhyām śūdro ajāyata). It denotes that the three other varnas which made up the parts of purusha (पुरुश, the lord) were supported by the shudras as the feet form the supporting system of the entire body. This can be understood clearly from the fact that the shudras were basically farmers, potters, cobblers etc (anything the other three varnas would not do viz, teaching, fighting and trade) and hence they formed a support system for the entire society. Unfortunately, direct misinterpretations of these vedic hymns have caused a lot of unrest and confusion in the modern Hindu society. Vedas do not establish supremacy of any varna over the other nor do they say head of the Lord is superior to his feet. Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita clarifies (Chapter 4 verse 13), stating "catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam" meaning that the fours varnas were established based on one's karma/duties.

Jāti

Main article: Jāti

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The theoretical and the original varnas carried to its extreme in the ages following the "vajj" Indian period. Every Jāti claimed to belong to some varna. Local variations of Jāti sub-castes exist within the Shudra Varna.

Shudras and North Indian society

It is commonly believed that the caste division is more uniform in North India than in South India. Some prominent rulers of North India were believed to have originated from the Shudra caste, e.g., the Nandas. Another feature of North Indian society is the presence of castes or Jatis with conflicting Varna status.

Medieval royal dynasties

Inscriptions of Shudra dynasties declare that belonging to the fourth varna was a matter of pride. An inscription of Singaya-Nayaka (1368 CE) says:

The three castes, Brahmanas and the next , 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. That this caste is purer than the former is self-evident; for this caste was born along with the river Ganges , the purifier of the three worlds. 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 kingly caste.

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

Shudras outside India

Brahma Kumaris

In religion of Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, only Brahma Kumaris followers are topknot souls of humanity called Brahmins. The world shudra applies to all other bhakti religious souls and body conscious humans. Shudra from the word 'shud' means, pure, self-realized. These people of high skill, precision and devotion to their work were considered pioneers. However, it must be stressed that the majority of Hindus do not recognize this view; indeed, the Brahma Kumari are mostly considered as a sect.

Notes

"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.
Early Evidence for Caste in South India

Oxford English Dictionary, s. v. "Sudra" sic
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.
Sastri, K. Rama (1982). "Akkalapundi grant of Singaya-Nayaka: Saka-Samvat 1290" Epigraphica Indica, vol. XIII. India: Archaeological Survey of India. p. 261.

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