31
votes
Accepted
Which scripture is the source of the verse "janmana jayate shudrah.. " (everyone is born a shudra)?
No this shloka is not from Shreemad Bhagvat Purana.
This shloka is given in Skanda Purana Vol.18 Book VI , Nagar Kanda , Chapter 239 , ( Efficacy of Adoration , Penance etc.) Verse 31-34
जन्मना ...
18
votes
Accepted
Why can't sudras read vedas according to smritis?
I have used this YajurVeda mantra in more than one answers of mine till date. One such answer is this one.
The correct translation, word to word, is as follows:
YathA imAm vAcham kalyAnim AvadAni ...
12
votes
Can't Shudras read the Bhagavad Gita?
There are no specific restrictions for reading and understanding Bhagavad Gita based on castes, differentiation apart from two cases, where Krishna himself emphasizes on to whom this Gita knowledge ...
12
votes
Accepted
Why are Sudras fined very harshly for adultery whereas Dwijas aren't fined much? Also why is killing a Sudra same as killing animal?
Please do read the summary and appreciate the post as the detailed part is disastrously long.
Summary: There are a few things to keep in mind:
Adultery (intercourse outside marriage) is a sin.
...
11
votes
Shudras and learning Sanskrit
Various Śūdra and Dalit people have made contributions to Sanskrit literature, so they must have been able to learn Sanskrit to begin with, including the following -
King Śūdraka (apparently Śūdra ...
9
votes
Accepted
If my father doesn't study the Veda, does this make me ineligible to learn Vedas?
If the father is not learned in the Vedas, even then the son is allowed to study them.
Manu Smriti 3.136. If there is a father ignorant of the sacred texts
whose son has learned one whole ...
9
votes
Why can't sudras read vedas according to smritis?
Let us see what the Yajueveda 26.2 mantra is actually saying.
यथेमां वाचं कल्याणी मावदानि जनेभ्य:। ब्रह्मराजन्याभ्यांSS शुद्राय
चार्याय च स्वाय चारणा य च । प्रियो देवानां दक्षिणायै दातुरिह
भूयासमयं ...
9
votes
Why can't sudras read vedas according to smritis?
According to Swami Vivekananda, Sudras are eligible to read the Jnana Kanda of Vedas.
Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda / Volume 6 / Epistles - Second Series / VIII:
The Achârya(Adi Shankara) ...
8
votes
Which Manusmṛti verses were written exclusively for vaiśyas and śūdras?
From Wikipedia, the author of that article - Devdutt_Pattanaik is an Indian author known for fictional work and interpretations of ancient Indian scriptures
Someone with a scientific bent of mind ...
8
votes
How have traditional Vedic commentators interpreted Shukla Yajurveda 26.2?
Both Uvata and Mahidhara (who lived prior to Sayana), who have written commentaries on the Shukla Yajur Veda, explain this verse plainly. In other words, they take the meaning at face value.
Uvata:...
8
votes
Accepted
Do the Vedas allow Shudras to do undergo Upanayanam or perform Yajnas?
No, the Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajur Veda forbids Shudras from engaging in sacrifices.
7.1.1 says:
From his feet he meted out the Ekavinça Stoma. After it the Anustubh
metre [5] was ...
7
votes
Does Manusmriti go against Vedas?
No, prohibiting Shudras from studying the Vedas does not go against the Vedas. In fact, encouraging them to study the Vedas is going against the Vedas. This is because you can only study the Vedas if ...
7
votes
Are shudras allowed to wander near sacrifices?
Who is Shudra (or Sudra)
A Sudra is not a Sudra by birth alone--nor a Brahmana is Brahmana by birth alone. He, it is said by the wise, in whom are seen those virtues is a Brahmana. And people term him ...
7
votes
Accepted
What was the traditional justification for why Chandalas were not allowed in temples?
PV Kane in his History of the Dharma Sastra Vol 2 Part 1 Page 93 says
There is no taint of untouchability when a person is touched by an
untouchable in a temple, religious processions and marriages, ...
7
votes
Accepted
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?
1. The Prescription of Fine
(See table below to avoid reading)
The basic rule for fine in case of verbal abuse has been dealt with in Dharmashastras like Brihaspati which purport to derive their ...
6
votes
Are shudras allowed to take up sanyasa?
Shudras are not allowed... Whether, even the Kshatriyas or Vaishyas are also allowed, is something that is unclear, if we go by the minor Upanishads called the Sannyasa Upanishads.
The Narada ...
6
votes
Are shudras allowed to take up sanyasa?
Exception - Nothing can prevent a true brahma jnani from renouncing everything (including his body, food to nourish the body, medicine to preserve it, or any relationships arising from the body), ...
6
votes
Why can't sudras read vedas according to smritis?
Literal reading of scriptures can force one to do gymnastics with the letter and spirit of the Vedas.
I do hereby address this salutary speech for the benefit of humanity,
the Brahmanas, the ...
6
votes
Accepted
Does Manusmriti go against Vedas?
As per the purusha suktam the shudras emerged from the feet of virAta purusha. This has created a confusion that since they are related to feet, they are inferior. However, it is not the case, the ...
6
votes
Which Manusmṛti verses were written exclusively for vaiśyas and śūdras?
I am not sure what he means by saying that "there are only two verses for the Sudras". There are many more such verses which either contain instructions for a Sudra or are related to them in some way. ...
6
votes
Accepted
Are shudras allowed to wander near sacrifices?
Can a Sudra perform a Vedic sacrifice?
Usually no. Given below are the duties of the 4 Varnas.
1.88. To Brahmanas he assigned teaching and studying (the Veda), sacrificing for their own ...
6
votes
Do any authentic scriptures other than Valmiki Ramayan talk about Shambuka's story (from Uttara Kanda)?
Yes, besides Uttar Kanda sargas 73-76 of Valmiki Ramayana, Puranas also mention this incident of Killing of a shudra ascetic called Shambuka by Shree Rama. For instance in Padma Purana- Shristi ...
6
votes
Accepted
Do Smritis mention of any samskaras to be given to a shudra?
Smritis don't mention any Samskaras for Sudras using Vedic Mantras but leave them free to acquire knowledge from all sources than Vedas.
A Sudra cannot commit an offence, causing loss of caste and
he ...
6
votes
Is everyone who receives a paycheck a Shudra?
The claim is not true because as per Hindu scriptures even the Vaishyas are qualified to receive wages.
36 If someone finds lost property whose owner is unknown, he should
disclose it to the king. 37 ...
5
votes
Accepted
What is the meaning/definition of the word Shudra?
In ChAndogyo Upanishad 4.2.3 the Shudra word is found.
The translator of my book (SwAmi GambhirAnanda) says that according to ShankarAcharya and according to Brahma Sutra 1.3.34-35, here the word's ...
5
votes
Do Vedanta Sutras contradict Vedas on whether mantras can be heard by Shudras?
That is what i always intended to say the back answer of yours say women must stay away from rituals and same for shudra but vedic richas are even created by women that's why i always intend to find ...
5
votes
Accepted
How do Neo-Vedantists intepret Vedanta Sutras 1.3.38?
There is no direct reference to that verse in Complete Works and that's because Swami Vivekananda did not agree that Shudras are forbidden to study the Vedas.
Complete Works / Volume 6 / Epistles - ...
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