THE SHUDRAS : THE STORY OF RECONCILIATION 199
Turning to the Pratilomas, [1] Manu no doubt calls, all of them as the basest of men. At the same time, the stigma on the Pratilomas is not evenly distributed among all of them. In the matter of rights and privileges, the Ayogava and the Kshattar are treated with incredible consideration, while the Chandala is subjected to unspeakable condemnation. As an illustration of this discrimination one can cite the following provisions in the Manu Smriti :
As to the Ayogava, the Manu Smriti merely says :
Carpenting (shall be the occupation) of an Ayogava.—X.46. As to the Kshattar the Manu Smriti says :
……. catching and killing animals that live in holes (is the occupation) of Kshattar.—x.49.
They are only assigned low occupations.
Compare with this what the Manu Smriti has to say about the Chandala :
“A Chandala and a boar, a cock and also a dog, and a woman in her courses and an eunuch, may not see the Brahmins eating.”—
iii. 239.
One may not abide with outcasts, nor Chandalas, nor Pukkasas, nor idiots, nor proud (people), nor with the low-born (people) nor with Antyavasayins.—iv.79.
One becomes pure by bathing if one has touched a Chandala, or a woman in her courses, an outcaste, also a woman lying-in, a corpse or one who has touched it.—v.85.
Manu declared the flesh of (a beast) killed by dogs (to be pure); also the flesh of an animal killed by other carnivorous (animals) (or) by Chandala (and) other Dasyus.— v. 131.
Two-fold should be the fine of a criminal sentenced within a year, and just as much if one cohabit with a Vratya woman or a Chandala woman.— viii.373.
The man, however, who foolishly allows this to be done by any other (wife) than the one of his own caste when the latter is at hand, has been, of old, looked upon as (no whit better than) a
1 Gaut. Dh, S., IV. 21, quoted by Kane, II, Part I, p. 229.
Father Mother Name of the caste
Shudra Brahmin Chandala
Shudra Kshatriya Kshattar
Shudra Vaishya Ayogava
Vaishya Brahmin Suta
Vaishya Kshatriya Vaidehaka
Kshatriya Brahmin Magadha