Questions tagged [shudra]
Questions regarding Shudra, the fourth Varna (social order).
59
questions
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Difference between Matanga and Vishwamitra
Matanga, born as Chandala, does penance to become a Brahmana. Indra tells him that he will not become a Brahmana and explains the birth cycles and durations to become a Brahmana. Indra says it's not ...
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0answers
40 views
Varna of Nandagopa and Maa Yashoda?
Gopala bhatta goswami in his sat kriya sandarba mentions the 11 jatis of shudra varna (pic below)
While Swami karpatri had said that they're Vaishyas (like other gowala-s)
So were Nandagopa, Maa ...
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0answers
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Is Manu Smriti anti-brahmin? "A brahmin who drank alcohol must drink red-hot wine until his body is fully burnt", but no such punishment for Shudras?
Manu Smriti 11.90
सुरां पीत्वा द्विजो मोहादग्निवर्णां सुरां पिबेत् ।
तया स काये निर्दग्धे मुच्यते किल्बिषात् ततः ॥ ९० ॥
surāṃ pītvā dvijo mohādagnivarṇāṃ surāṃ pibet |
tayā sa kāye nirdagdhe
mucyate ...
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0answers
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Proportion of gunas in four varnas obtained by birth
I read the following lines by Ramanujacharya from this answer
The nature of Brahmanas, Ksatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras are due to
their respective inherent dispositions. The meaning is that their past
...
2
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3answers
304 views
Shudras and learning Sanskrit
Were shudras not allowed to learn Sanskrit in the past times? If yes, then around when did this practice of not being allowed start?
4
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1answer
534 views
Offspring due to marriage between a Sudra man and a Brahmana woman
The following passage is from this answer quoted from Agni Purana
An anuloma marriage is a marriage where the husband is from a higher
class than the wife. The offspring of such a marriage belong to ...
3
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1answer
179 views
Why cannot a Shudra earn wealth as per Mahabharata?
https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/19101/19211 This answer says that Shudras should serve other orders as menial by "massaging" and obeying their "wishes".
Another section of ...
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2answers
452 views
Why does Manu Smriti say to cut tongue of Sudra if he insults a Bramhana but just fine a Bramhana if he insults a Sudra?
Manu Smriti 8.270 : If a once-born person insults a twice-born one with gross abuse, he should suffer the cutting off of his tongue; as he is of low origin
Manu Smriti 8.268 : For abusing a Kṣatriya, ...
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0answers
36 views
Isn't the varna determined, by the Vedic varnashram, by birth? [duplicate]
As far as I know, varnashram is originally a Vedic idea, by which Shudras that were Not recognised as dvija were Not entitled for Upanayana that usually used to take place at the age of 8-11 years of ...
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2answers
320 views
Are there any proofs in Hindu Scriptures as well as cited by scholars that Shudras might have / can read Vedas?
Can there be any proofs from Hindu Scriptures where we could say that Shudras read Vedas ?
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1answer
120 views
Why Krishna Yajur Veda 7.1.1.5 is contrdicting RV 10:53:4?
Krishna Yajur Veda 7.1.1.5 prohibit a shudra to perform sacrifice.
was created, the Vairaja Saman, of men the Çudra, of cattle the horse. Therefore the two, the horse and the Çudra, are dependent on ...
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2answers
706 views
How can killing a Human being and killing an Animal be on the same level?
Why does Manu Smriti say that by killing certain Animals one should perform the same penance that must be done for killing a Sudra?
Manu 11.131 - Having killed a cat, an ichneumon, a blue jay, a frog,...
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0answers
49 views
Is it true that anyone who is born, is a Shudra by default? [duplicate]
I have heard that any one who is born is shudra by default.
How true is it?
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2answers
179 views
Why do some people confuse Shudras with untouchables? [closed]
In various questions in this platform, I have seen people classifying Shudras as untouchables whereas in reality, Shudras are a caste within the pale of the Varnâshrama system but untouchables(...
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2answers
406 views
Why are Sudras fined very harshly for adultery whereas Dwijas aren't fined much? Also why is killing a Sudra same as killing animal?
A Dwija is expected to be sincere, honest and self satisfied without seeking any external pleasure. Then why are Shastras fining Dwijas very less for Adultery and Sudras a lot? I know Dwijas have huge ...
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3answers
536 views
Why do Bramha sutras say that Shudras cannot listen to Vedas?
Bramahasutras mention that it is forbidden for Shudras to listen to Vedic Mantras.
Any specific reason for this?
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2answers
230 views
What is shudra-brahmin?
What is shudra-brahmin / shudra-kshatriya ?
Which is mentioned in Shiva purana
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0answers
65 views
Shudra doing Tapas
As discussed in this answer,
SRSTIKHANDA of Padma Purana says:
Shudras are not entitled to do penance in all the three yugas, except the Kali Yuga.
Does it mean Shudras are allowed to penance in ...
5
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1answer
333 views
Does the Aitareya Brahmana ask sudras to serve the other three castes?
I'm sorry, I don't know the exact verse however I'm attaching a verse from (Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda, Published 1922, The Panini Office, Allahabad)
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0answers
73 views
Do Shudras have samsakaras according to smritis?
Do Shudras have samskaras prescribed for them? If yes, how many samskaras can they undergo according smriti and which are they?
Can a shudra go to Gurukula?
5
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1answer
292 views
Do Smritis mention of any samskaras to be given to a shudra?
Any purification process (Samskara) is there for the shudras?
Does any smriti tell about purification process for a shudra person?
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0answers
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Can shudra wear thread on waist?
Can shudra wear thread on waist ?
What Dharma Shastra is telling that shudra can wear thread around their waist(A ceremony which is called Molathadu in Telugu)?
If not, then any sacred thread for ...
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2answers
513 views
Why is ISKCON giving upanayana samskara to shudras and mlecchas when it is contrary to Ramanujacharya's teachings?
Why is ISKCON giving upanayana samskara to shudras and mlecchas?
Isn't it against Ramanujacharya's teachings?
In his Brahma sutra (Vedanta sutra) bhashya, Ramanujacharya says (1:3:36) that Shudras are ...
4
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1answer
123 views
What does Parashara Smriti tell about Upanayana Samskara?
What does Parashara Smriti tell about Upanayana Samskara?
Parashara Smriti tells that all can have sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana).
4
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1answer
243 views
Do any authentic scriptures other than Valmiki Ramayan talk about Shambuka's story (from Uttara Kanda)? [duplicate]
According to the Ramayana, Shambuka, a Shudra ascetic, was slain by Rama for attempting to perform penance. This act of Shambuka was perceived by Rama as the act in violation of dharma as he believed ...
3
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1answer
114 views
Performing Puja/Havan for Shudras
In this answer it states that Brahmins should not perform vedic rituals for Shudras.
Question is: does this mean most of the brahmins who are in temple or in priest role are breaking the rules by ...
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0answers
149 views
Shudra learning and chanting Vedas
Does below say Shudras can learn Vedas?
YathA imAm vAcham kalyAnim AvadAni janebhyah (1)
BrahmarAjanyAbhyAm sudrAya cha AryAya cha (2)
SwAya cha aranAya cha (3)
Meaning
May i speak the sacred word ...
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168 views
What should a Shudra do in order to eligible to read Vedas?
Context: I found out after a lot of research that my ancestors were either Kshatriya or there is some sort of story that they were sprung up from Lord Shiva. But neither my family from atleast 3 gens ...
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1answer
247 views
Do scriptures mention anyone who is Pratiloma or Shudra born having successfully read and recited Vedas?
To be clear, please don't conflate reading and reciting the Vedas to having understood the Vedas.
I didn't come across anywhere in KMG Mahabharata where Karna is said to have read/recited vedas. At ...
4
votes
1answer
505 views
Does scripture uniformly agree with this citation from Parashara smriti?
Parashara Smriti 8.25 says:
25. Even a Brahmin of a bad character deserves respect;
but not so a Shudra, even though his passions may
have been subdued by him. Who would quit a wicked cow,
...
4
votes
1answer
410 views
Is there any vedic statement which deny entry of Shudra in temple?
As per Parashara smirti, Shudras were considered less pure to perform some auspicious activities.
Is there any vedic statement which supports this claim?
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2answers
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How come Shankaracharya and some Sri Vaishnava Acharyas prohibit women and shudras from reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama?
The Vadakalai sect of Sri Vaishnavism says that women and shudras are not allowed to recite the Vishnusahasranama, but can only hear it. In fact, Iyers before the past 50 years also prohibited women ...
4
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1answer
278 views
Why did Ekalavya become Lord Krishna's arch rival? Was he punished because he was a Shudra?
While debating on Quora on how the Bhagavad Gita does not advocate the present day birth-based casteism, a user pointed out that,
From Vishnu Parva, Chapter 84, it seems that Krishna with his ...
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1answer
620 views
Is there any commentary of Brahma Sutras 1/3/38-39 that does not recommend physical torture of the sudras?
In their commentaries to Brahma-Sutra 1/3/38-9, Acharya Shankara and Acharya Ramanuja BOTH quote slokas from the Smriti-s that prescribe pouring molten lead into the ears of a Shudra if he ...
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1answer
150 views
What is the basis for Vaishampayana's claim that the Saraswati became invisible because of her contempt for Sudras and Abhiras?
As mentioned in the Mahabharata:
Vaishampayana said, "Then Valadeva, O king, proceeded to Vinasana where the Sarasvati hath become invisible in consequence of her contempt for Sudras and Abhiras. ...
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1answer
276 views
Are Shudras and women more fortunate than Brahmanas according to the Vishnu Purana?
Are Shudras and women more fortunate than Brahmanas according to the Vishnu Purana? Or is it better to be a Brahmana?
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1answer
203 views
Who was the earliest Sudra king?
Was it the Rig Vedic king Sudas? He is said to have fought in the battle of ten kings.
5
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1answer
145 views
Why is it ordained that Shudras should serve the Dvijas, and especially Brahmanas, as their foremost duty?
Why is it ordained that Shudras must serve the Dvijas, and especially Brahmanas, as their foremost duty?
Does this oppress Shudras or is it actually beneficial for them to serve the twice-born?
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1answer
282 views
Who was the first śūdra to be born or appear on Earth?
Who was the first śūdra (or the śūdra-couple) to be born?
Likewise, who was the first brāhmaṇa, the first kṣatriya and vaiśya to be born?
Some might argue, the first śūdra could not have been ...
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1answer
803 views
Do the Vedas allow Shudras to do undergo Upanayanam or perform Yajnas?
Can Shudras do Upanayanam or perform Yajnas as per Vedas?
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955 views
How have traditional Vedic commentators interpreted Shukla Yajurveda 26.2?
Shukla Yajurveda 26.2 states:
That I to all the people may address this salutary speech,
To priest and nobleman, Sûdra and Arya, to one of our own
kin and to the stranger.
Dear may I be to ...
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3answers
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Can't Shudras read the Bhagavad Gita?
It is well known that Vedanta Sutras prohibit Shudras from Jnana by saying Smritis prohibit them from having Upanayana. But Bhagavad Gita is a book which contains Vedantic statements. As Vedanta ...
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2answers
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Can a Sudra attain higher caste according to Manusmriti?
Manusmriti Verse 9.335 says:
शुचिरुत्कृष्टशुश्रूषुर्मृदुवागनहङ्कृतः ।
ब्राह्मणाद्याश्रयो नित्यमुत्कृष्टां जातिमश्नुते ॥ ३३५ ॥
śucirutkṛṣṭaśuśrūṣurmṛduvāganahaṅkṛtaḥ |
...
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Which Manusmṛti verses were written exclusively for vaiśyas and śūdras?
In his column What exactly is the Manusmriti?, Devdutt Pattanaik makes the following claim.
Of the nearly 2,500 verses, more than a thousand are for brahmins, more than a thousand for kings, ...
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2answers
2k views
Does Manusmriti go against Vedas?
Doesn't barring Sudras(who form feet of Purusha) from studying Vedas and making them non-Vedic handicap the Purusha?
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0answers
34 views
Astrological signs and śūdra-like nature [duplicate]
According to this answer on Quora.com:
In the astrological context, which determines a person’s character, everyone born under the rising signs (lagna) of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius is ...
7
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2answers
265 views
According to guṇa-based varṇa system, at what age can one be certified a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, etc?
According to proponents of guṇa-based varṇa system (i.e., those that do not believe you are born into one specific Hindu varṇa), at what age can a person be certified as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, etc?
...
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1answer
576 views
Do Vedanta Sutras contradict Vedas on whether mantras can be heard by Shudras?
Shukla Yajurveda 26.2 states:
May I speak the sacred word to the masses of the people (janebhya) (1) to the Brahmana, Kshatriya, to the Shudra and the Arya (2) and to our own men and the strangers (...
7
votes
2answers
449 views
How do Neo-Vedantists intepret Vedanta Sutras 1.3.38?
Neo-Vedantists as we know, believe people of all varnas are eligible to study the Vedas. Notable examples of such people include the great Swami Vivekananda. However, Vedanta declares that Shudras are ...
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1answer
298 views
How can subhuman treatment of a person be justified because he was "born" in a particular varna?
I was very shocked to read recently that venerated gurus of vedanta like Adi Shankara and Ramanuja said shudras (and women) have no right to study vedas when infact vedas clearly don't say so . Quite ...
