Significance of Shudra
Shudra is identified as the lowest caste in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy, known for its association with labor and service roles. Originating from the feet of the virat-purusha, Shudras historically perform tasks that support the higher castes but are often excluded from educational and religious privileges, particularly those related to Vedic studies. Despite this, some texts suggest that individuals from this caste can achieve spiritual elevation through devotion and service. Shudras exemplify the laboring class in the structured caste system of Hindu society.
Synonyms: Labourer, Worker, Servant, Artisan, Menial, Lower caste, Laborers
In German: Shudra; In Finnish: Shudra; In Spanish: Shudra; In Dutch: Sjoedra
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Shudra'
In Buddhism, the term Shudra represents a class within the traditional Indian social hierarchy, characterized by labor and service roles, and is differentiated from higher castes, emphasizing the diverse social structure in Indian culture.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) A class in the traditional Indian social hierarchy often associated with labor and service, distinguished from the higher castes.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Shudra'
In Hinduism, Shudras represent the lowest caste, primarily composed of laborers and service providers. Despite their traditional restrictions, individuals can attain higher status through proper initiation, emphasizing virtues over birth.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A member of the lowest caste in Hindu society to whom the offering of leavings is particularly restricted.[2] (2) A term referring to a specific social class within the traditional caste system, with outlined minimal purification rituals.[3] (3) A member of the lowest caste in Hindu society, whose property is designated for seizure by the master.[4] (4) One of the varnas in Hindu society, traditionally regarded as the laboring and service class, whose actions are specified as inappropriate for a learned Brahmana.[5] (5) A social class in Indian society, here referenced in context to avoiding travel or association with them.[6]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) The lowest caste in the traditional varna system, tasked with serving the other castes; associated here with neglect of spiritual duties.[7] (2) A member of the laboring class in ancient Indian society, with particular penance required for their murder.[8] (3) The lowest caste in the varna system, traditionally associated with service and labor.[9]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) A term representing a caste in the traditional social hierarchy of India, often associated with laborers and lower status.[10]
From: Vasistha Dharmasutra
(1) The lowest caste, primarily serving the higher castes and engaged in various forms of labor.[11]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) A term referring to a member of the laborer or working class in ancient Indian society, particularly in the context of the rites.[12]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The lower caste in the Hindu social order, mentioned in the text as a contrasting category to the twice-born (Dvija).[13] (2) The lowest caste in the Vedic hierarchy, which may take Rudraksha beads without prior purification.[14] (3) A member of the lowest caste, traditionally laborers and service providers.[15] (4) The working class associated with the use of black Rudraksha seeds.[16] (5) The laborer class who achieve happiness from the hearing of the sacred narrative.[17]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A lower social class mentioned in relation to expiation practices when consuming food with a Brahmana or other classes.[18] (2) The servant class that emerged from the feet of Brahman, tasked with serving the other three orders as menials.[19] (3) The lowest varna caste in the hierarchy who performs certain duties; a Brahmana becomes a Sudra when he falls away from his duties.[20] (4) The lower class of society mentioned in the context of education and social hierarchy.[21] (5) One of the four social classes, often associated with service roles, and not defined solely by birth.[22]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) The laboring class whose role is to serve the other three castes.[23] (2) A member of the laboring class, primarily responsible for serving the upper three castes.[24] (3) The working class in the ancient Indian social hierarchy, serving the other three varnas (classes).[25] (4) The lowest caste in the traditional division of labor in Hindu society.[26] (5) Members of the laboring class in the social order who serve the higher classes.[27]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) The laboring class who are said to fare well through engaging with Vishnu鈥檚 narratives.[28] (2) The laborer caste symbolized by Tamas quality, not entitled to perform initiation or read the Vedas.[29] (3) A term used to refer to the lowest caste in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy, associated with labor and service.[30]
From: Sanatsujatiya (English translation)
(1) A term referring to a member of the lowest caste in traditional Indian society, used in the context of Vidura's hesitations.[31]
From: Brihaddharma Purana (abridged)
(1) The laboring class formed from the feet of Vishnu, tasked with serving the higher castes and conducting agriculture.[32]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) The laboring class in society who achieve their assigned duties through service to the twice-born and relatively less effort.[33]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) The servant or laboring caste in Hindu society, typically tasked with serving the other three castes.[34]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)
(1) Those who served all, never from their duty swerved, addressing their proper worship to various entities.[35]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A caste that originated from the feet of the virat-purusha, representing the labor class.[36] (2) Shudras are generally considered the laborers or service class in the varnashrama system, who, according to tradition, do not possess the qualifications to study or teach the Vedas.[37] (3) The lowest caste in the traditional social hierarchy, typically associated with serving the higher castes and included in the promise of devotional service.[38] (4) A term referring to the lowest caste in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy, of which Vidura was a son.[39] (5) Traditionally considered the lowest caste, often associated with service roles; however, characteristics and qualities of the person take precedence over birth.[40]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) cudrah; the laboring class in Hindu society, traditionally tasked with service and support roles.[41]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) The lowest caste in the traditional varna system, also mentioned in the context of discussing Vaishnavas.[42]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) the lowest of the four castes in the varnashrama system.[43]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) These individuals are mentioned as the group for whom specific prohibitions are outlined within the text, and these prohibitions limit their access to Vedic knowledge and practices.[44] (2) A Shudra is a person who is not qualified for initiation; the text indicates that Gautama did not initiate Jabala until he ascertained that he was not of this caste.[45] (3) The Shudras are not qualified for the knowledge of Brahman, which is a conclusion derived from the analysis of Janashruti's status and associated signs.[46] (4) This refers to a group of people whose claim to knowledge is being questioned in the context of the text, and their eligibility is under scrutiny.[47] (5) The fourth caste in the traditional Indian social hierarchy, described in the text as 'once born' and lacking qualifications for rituals.[48]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The fourth caste in the Hindu caste system, traditionally associated with servitude and not permitted to perform certain ceremonies.[49] (2) The class of laborers or service providers in the traditional Vedic social structure, which the text indicates is not connected to the Samvarga-vidya.[50]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Shudra is the lowest caste in the Hindu social hierarchy, from which a boy transitions to become a Brahman upon undergoing upanayana.[51] (2) The fourth original caste in Hindu society, which has access to certain marriage rites including gandharva.[52]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) The working class in Hindu society, explicitly restricted from performing certain fire-rites.[53]
From: Abhinaya-darpana (English)
(1) The lowest caste, indicated by the hand gesture Shikhara with the left hand and Suci with the right.[54]
From: Manasara (English translation)
(1) The laboring and service caste, regarded as the lowest in the traditional Hindu caste system.[55]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) A 'Shudra' refers to the class associated with toil and labor, playing a role in the social and ritualistic hierarchy present in the sacrificial system.[56]
From: Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India)
(1) The lowest caste in the Varnashrama system, with no defined role in the descriptions provided by the Kamasutra.[57]
From: Shukra Niti by Shukracharya
(1) Members of the laboring or service class, who are usually excluded from holding positions of authority in legal matters.[58]
From: Brihat Samhita
(1) The labor class that will suffer if the rainbow appears black at night.[59]
The concept of Shudra in local and regional sources
Shudra signifies various aspects within the text, including a learning capacity, a lower caste in Hindu society, and an evolving relationship with Brahmins, reflecting changing societal attitudes towards this group traditionally linked to labor and servitude.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Shudra is one of the four principal castes and is used in the context of social distinctions and equality in the Satya-Yuga.[60] (2) A specific group or class whose right to study the Vedas and Upanishads is questioned, with the letter writer examining the Acharya's statements on this matter.[61] (3) The Shudras were and still are only the waiting Aryas 鈥� Aryas in novitiate, indicating a group of people.[62] (4) This term refers to a specific group, and the text discusses the changing attitudes toward them, from harsh restrictions to encouragement to imitate the Brahmins' customs.[63] (5) The people who are not Aryans at all, and they are the aborigines of the country, as stated in the text.[64]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) A term denoting a member of the lower caste in the traditional varna system of Hindu society.[65]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The lowest caste in the traditional Varna-samstha or caste system, often associated with labor and manual work.[66]