Chapter 7 Why lawlessness is Lawful? - Page 83

68 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES

  1. Let (the first part of) a Brahman’s name (denote something) auspicious, a Kshatriya’s be connected with power, and a Vaishya’s with wealth, but a Shudra’s (express something) contemptible.

  2. (The second part of) a Brahmana’s (name) shall be (a word) implying happiness, of a Kshatriya’s (a word) implying protection, of a Vaishya’s (a term) expressive of thriving and of a Shudra’s (an expression) denoting service.

  3. Let him (a Brahmana) not dwell in a country where the rulers are Shudras, nor in one which is surrounded by unrighteous men, nor in one which has become subject to heretics, nor in one swarming with men of the lowest castes.

  4. When the King cannot himself decide the causes (of litigants) then he should appoint thereto a Brahmana learned in the various Shastras.

  5. Where a Brahmana (endowed with the qualities enumerated) cannot be had (the King) should appoint a Kshatriya or a Vaishya, proficient in the Sacred law, but the (the King) should carefully avoid a Shudra as a Judge.

  6. Whatever is done by others (as Judges) than these must be regarded as done wrongly, even if they be officers (of the King) and even if by chance the decision is according to the Sacred texts.

  7. A Brahmana who subsists only by the name of his caste (Jati), or one who merely calls himself a Brahmana (though his origin be uncertain), may, at the King’s pleasure interpret the law to him, but never a Shudra.

  8. The Kingdom of that Monarch, who looks on while a Shudra settles the law, will sink (low), like a cow in a morass.

  9. A Brahmana who knows the law need not bring any (offence) to the notice of the King, by his own power alone he can punish those men who injure him.

  10. His own power is greater than the power of the King; the Brahmana therefore, may punish his foes by his own power alone.

  11. The Brahmana is declared (to be) the creator (of the world), the punisher, the teacher, (and hence) a benefactor (of all created beings); to him let no man say anything unpropitious, nor use any harsh words.

INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CLASSES

I

  1. In the inverse order of the four castes slavery is not ordained.

(11) Manu 11.31; (12) Ibid., 11.32; (13) Ibid., IV.61; (14) Katyayana 63; (15) Ibid., 67;

(16) Ibid., 68; (17) Manu VI1I.20; (18) Ibid., VIII.21; (19) Ibid., XI.31; (20) Ibid., XI.32;

(21) Ibid., XI.35.

(1) Narada V.39.

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