Questions tagged [shudra]
Questions regarding Shudra, the fourth Varna (social order).
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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
...
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205 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?
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510 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 ...
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1answer
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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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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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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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What is shudra-brahmin?
What is shudra-brahmin / shudra-kshatriya ?
Which is mentioned in Shiva purana
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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 ...
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1answer
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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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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?
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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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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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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 ...
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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).
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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 ...
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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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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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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
237 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 ...
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1answer
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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,
...
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1answer
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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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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 ...
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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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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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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
251 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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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.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 ...
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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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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 (...
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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
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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 ...
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What is the meaning/definition of the word Shudra?
I would like to know the meaning/definition of the word Shudra?
Some 3-4 years back, in a commentary of an Upanishad I found someone explaining the word Shudra to mean the one who is always in grief (...
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2answers
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Are shudras allowed to wander near sacrifices?
This question is asked by the curiosity created by my previous question.
Are shudras allowed to wander near sacrifices?
Are they allowed to put a sight on a sacrifice?
Are they allowed to touch ...
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1answer
512 views
What was the traditional justification for why Chandalas were not allowed in temples?
Traditionally, Chandalas and I believe even Sudras were not allowed in temples.
What was the justification for this and is it based on scriptures?
