Hindus believe that Shudras, according to the creator’s plan, should humbly serve the other varnas. This term, meaning “category”, is used along with the names of the four main
castes in India .
According to the Vedic scriptures, people originated from a disunited first man. “His mouth became a
Brahmin , his arms – a
Kshatriya , his thighs – a
Vaishya , his legs – a Shudra”. This transformation of the divine principle implies a division not into castes, but into components of the social structure.
History
Today, the division into varnas is formal. Previously, upon initiation into discipleship, Shudras were given a special distinguishing cord, symbolizing different varnas, which they were obliged to wear all their lives. This stratification of society occurred in ancient Indian society, but in fact, the four varnas speak of the nature of man. Representatives of each varna have their own life purpose and perform completely different tasks.
In the sixth century BC, representatives of the lowest caste in India – the Shudras – were much more dependent than they are today. The Shudras included farmers, tenants, hired workers, artisans, and servants. But there were cases when they occupied a higher social status, including ruling “positions”. The original varna system subsequently changed, losing its original meaning, and began to resemble the medieval division into estates.
It is believed that the varna of Shudras formed later than all the others. In the beginning, it included aborigines, subjugated by conquerors (Aryans), slaves, tenants, and all those who did not have their own land. Later, agriculture, cattle breeding, and crafts began to be included in the Shudra varna. Even later, in the Middle Ages, the Shudras began to be divided into higher and lower (those from whom a Brahmin cannot accept food).
Duties and Restrictions
Service to the three higher varnas can be anything, it is not only physical labor, but also, for example, acting. Unlike all other varnas, Shudras were previously considered “single-born”, they were not allowed to perform rituals. There was no dedicatory ritual for representatives of this caste, due to the lack of initiation they had curtailed religious rights, they were forbidden to study the Vedas.
The interaction of Shudras with people of higher varnas had clear prescriptions. There were also restrictions in the social and legal sense. In practice, everything was not as unambiguous as in theory.
In addition to the general division into varnas, the Shudras, in turn, were also divided into several varieties. In addition, in some areas, the agrarian population, due to its large numbers and ownership of large land plots, played a significant role in economic and social policy. Those engaged in agricultural work hired representatives of other varnas to work for them, for example, for trade, rented land from them, etc.
However, even with this position, relatively equalizing the status quo, inter-varna marriages are always forbidden, including today. The rules regarding rituals related to food are less strict for Shudras, and in general there is a “wider space” for various prescriptions in any sphere of life. Sometimes more is allowed here than for representatives of other varnas, for example, the marriage of widows and divorced women.
Traditions
Craftsmen are considered lower Shudras than representatives of agriculture. Their craft is passed down through inheritance, but apprenticeship also takes place. If a craftsman can buy land, he is not forbidden to acquire a higher status.
At the same time, representatives of craft professions have long been in such relations with higher varnas that prescribe providing services without receiving money for it, remuneration is given in kind.
Affiliation to the varna is determined using Vedic numerology. Birth under a certain varna indicates the presence of certain qualities inherent only to one of them. Under the divisions into varnas, in fact, it means belonging not to a caste, but to a certain class, with its own characteristics.
That is, the classification into varnas does not imply social division, but is based on the level of development of human consciousness of each individual. This degree of development is confused with Indian castes, and this is incorrect.
However, the confusion arose a long time ago, and it happened because in ancient Indian society belonging to varnas was inherited (that is, the heirs of Brahmins were also Brahmins). In this classification, Shudras are also “lower beings”.
They cannot effectively manage, but they are excellent performers, not independent, they require control. Their nature is such that they are predisposed to subordination and physical labor, which, however, is not always only unskilled.
Lemtyugina Yulia Viktorovna
India is a very unusual and special place, it can be called a paradise. There is a very pure and positive aura, everyone is happy with their lives. I will definitely go there. My aunt was there, she told how she meditated with others, did yoga. She didn't want to leave.
Oleg Korol
Being in India for only a few days, I was surprised by the fact that there are no residents who are unhappy with their lives. Historically, the inhabitants of this country believe that having lived without suffering and complaints about their material or social situation, in the next life it will be easier, since you will live in a higher caste! And everyone is happy
Arkady Samoletov
I love India very much. But their division of people into castes, varnas is very complex. To understand this, you need to spend time, This article helps to understand the division into varnas. Very useful information