Shudra Dharma (शूद्रधर्मः)
According to the Bhagavata Purana, a Shudra is to render service to the dvijas (brahmanas, kashtriyas and vaishyas) whose means of livelihood constitute his means of subsistence also.[1]
शूद्रस्य द्विजशुश्रूषा वृत्तिश्च स्वामिनो भवेत् ॥ १५॥[2]
śūdrasya dvijaśuśrūṣā vr̥ttiśca svāmino bhavet ॥ 15॥
And the characteristics of a Shudra include submissiveness, purity, faithful (untreacherous) service of the master, performance of the five daily yajnas by bowing down only (without uttering the mantras) abstention from theiving, truthfulness and protection of the cattle and the brahmanas.[3]
शूद्रस्य सन्नतिः शौचं सेवा स्वामिन्यमायया । अमन्त्रयज्ञो ह्यस्तेयं सत्यं गोविप्ररक्षणम् ॥ २४॥[2]
śūdrasya sannatiḥ śaucaṁ sevā svāminyamāyayā । amantrayajño hyasteyaṁ satyaṁ goviprarakṣaṇam ॥ 24॥
References
- ↑ Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.964.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bhagavata Purana, Skandha 7, Adhyaya 11.
- ↑ Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.966.