THE SHUDRAS : THE BRAHMANIC .... STATUS OF THE SHUDRAS 45
Food given by a physician, a hunter, a woman of bad character, a macebearer, a thief, an Abhisasta, and eunuch, (or) an outcaste must not be eaten.
Nor that given by a miser, one who has performed the initiatory ceremony of a Srauta-sacrifice, a prisoner, a sick person, a seller of the Soma plant, a carpenter, a washerman, a dealer in spirituous liquor, a spy, an usurer, (or) a cobbler.
Nor that given by a Shudra. [1]
Some call that Shudra race a burial-ground.
Therefore the Veda must not be recited in the presence of a Shudra.”
Now they quote also the (following) verses which Yama proclaimed :
The wicked Shudra-race is manifestly a burial-ground. Therefore (the Veda) must never be recited in the presence of a Shudra. [2]
Some become worthy receptacles of gifts through sacred learning, and some through the practice of austerities. But that Brahmana whose stomach does not contain the food of a Shudra, is even the worthiest receptacle of all. [3]
If a Brahmana dies with the food of a Shudra in his stomach, he will become a village pig (in his next life) or be born in the family of that Shudra.
For though a (Brahmana) whose body is nourished by the essence of a Shudra’s food may daily recite the Veda, though he may offer (an Agnihotra) or mutter (prayers, nevertheless) he will not find the path that leads upwards.
But if, after eating the food of a Shudra, he has conjugal intercourse, (even) his sons (begotten on a wife of his own caste) will belong to the giver of the food (i.e., to the Shudra) and he shall not ascend to heaven. [4]
(D) The Manu Smriti says :
“He (Brahmin) may not dwell in the kingdom of a Shudra nor in one full of unrighteous people, nor in one invaded by hosts of heretics nor in one possessed by low-born men. [5]
A Brahmin who performs a sacrifice for a Shudra should not be invited to dine with other Brahmins at a Shraddha ceremony. His company will destroy all merit that which may otherwise be obtained from such a dinner. [6]
One should carry out by the southern town-gate a dead Shudra, but the twice-born by the western, northern and eastern (gates) respectively. [7]
1 Chapter XIV, Verses 1-4
2 Chapter XVIII, Verses 11-15
3 Chapter VI, Verses 26.
4 Chapter VI, Verses 27-29
5 Chapter IV, Verse 61
6 Chapter III, Verse 178
7 Chapter V Verse 92.