276 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(2) Then the divine self existent (Svayambhu, himself) indiscernible (but) making (all) this, the great elements and the rest discernible, appeared with irresistible (creative) power, dispelling the darkness.
(3) But for the sake of the prosperity of the worlds, he caused the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, and the Shudra to proceed from his mouth, his arms, his thighs and his feet.
(4) But in order to protect this Universe. He, the most resplendant one, assigned separate (duties and) occupations to those who sprang from his mouth, arms, thighs and feet.
(5) To the Brahmans he assigned teaching and studying (the Vedas), sacrificing (performing sacrificial ceremonies) for their own benefit and for others, giving and accepting (of alms).
(6) The Kshatriya he commanded to protect the people, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), and to abstain from attaching himself to sensual pleasures.
(7) The Vaishya to tend cattle, to bestow gifts, to offer sacrifices, to study (the Veda), to trade, to lend money and to cultivate the land.
(8) One occupation only the lord prescribed to the Shudra, to serve meekly even these (other) three castes.
(9) A student, an apprentice, a hired servant, and fourthly an official; these must be regarded as labourers. Slaves are those who are born in the house and the rest.
(10) The sages have distinguished five sorts of attendants according to law. Among these are four sorts of labourers (mentioned above). The slaves (are the fifth category, of which they are) fifteen species.
(11) One born at (his master’s) house; one purchased; one received by gift; one obtained by inheritance; one maintained during a general famine; one pledged by his rightful owner.
(12) One released from a heavy debt; one made captive in a fight; one won through a wager, one who has come forward declaring ‘I am thine’ an apostate from asceticism; one enslaved for a stipulated period.
(13) One who has become a slave in order to get a maintenance; one enslaved on account of his connection with a female slave; and one self sold. These are fifteen classes of slaves as declared in law.
(14) Among these the four named first cannot be released from bondage, except by the favour of their owners. Their bondage is hereditary.
(15) The sages have declared that the state of dependence is common to all these; but that their respective position and income depends on their particular caste and occupation.
(2) Manu I. 6; (3) Ibid., 1. 31; (4) Ibid., I. 87; (5) Ibid., I. 88; (6) Ibid., I. 89; (7) Ibid., I. 90; (8) Ibid., 1. 91; (9) Narad V. 3; (10) Ibid.. V. 2; (11) Ibid., V. 26; (12) Ibid., V. 27;
(13) Ibid., V. 28; (14) Ibid., V. 29; (15) Ibid, V. 4.