Shudra Dharma (शूद्रधर्मः)
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According to the Bhagavata Purana, a Shudra is to render seva (सेवा | selfless 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) seva (सेवा | selfless 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॥
Mahabharata
प्रजापतिर्हि वर्णानां दासं शूद्रमकल्पयत्।। 12.59.30 (60.28)
तस्माच्छूद्रस्य वर्णानां परिचर्या विधीयते। 31
राज्ञा वा समनुज्ञातः कामं कुर्वीत धार्मिकः।। 33
अवश्यं भरणीयो हि वर्णानां शूद्र उच्यते।। 34
यंच कश्चिद्द्विजातीनां शूद्रः शुश्रूषुराव्रजेत्। कल्प्यां तेन तु तस्याहुर्वृत्तिं धर्मविदो जनाः।। 37
देयः पिण्डोऽनपत्याय भर्तव्यौ वृद्धदुर्बलौ। शूद्रेण तु न हातव्यो भर्ता कस्यांचिदापदि।। 38
अतिरेकेण भर्तव्यो भर्ता द्रव्यपरिक्षये। 39
उक्तस्त्रयाणां वर्णानां यज्ञस्त्रय्येव भारत। स्वाहाकारवषट्कारौ मन्त्रः शूद्रे न विद्यते।। 40
तस्माच्छूद्रः पाकयज्ञैयजेताव्रतवान्स्वयम्। पूर्णपात्रमयीमाहुः पाकयज्ञस्य दक्षिणाम्।। 41
शूद्रः पैजवनो नाम सहस्राणां शतं ददौ। ऐन्द्राग्नेन विधानेन दक्षिणामिति नः श्रुतम्।। 42
यतो हि सर्ववर्णानां यज्ञस्तस्यैव भारत।। 43[4]
The Shudras were created from the feet of the creator and hence, they engage in service.[5]
शूद्राश्च पादतः सृष्टास्तस्मात्ते परिचाकाः।।13.208.5[6]
Shudras are known as the facilitators of all dharmas. If not for the shudras, there would be no one to fulfil the duties of seva.
The Shudra varna is at the foundation of the first three varnas. For, the Shudras are known to fulfil the duty of seva. Seva of brahmanas and others is the dharma of a dasa or shudra.
Trading, artistry, sculpture and dramatics are also shudra's dharmas. He should be non-violent, well-behaved and a worshipper of deities and brahmanas.
Such a shudra endowed with his dharma enjoys desired fruits.[5]
तथैव शूद्रा विहिताः सर्वधर्मप्रसाधकाः। शूद्राश्च यदि ते न स्युः कर्मकर्ता न विद्यते।।13.208.33
त्रयः पूर्वे शूद्रमूलाः सर्वे कर्मकराः स्मृताः। ब्राह्मणादिषु शुश्रूषा दासधर्म इति स्मृतः।।13.208.34
वार्ता च कारुकर्माणि शिल्यं नाट्यं तथैव च। अहिंसकः शुभाचारो देवतद्विजवन्दकः।।13.208.35
शूद्रो धर्मफलैरिष्टैः स्वधर्मेणोपपद्यते।13.208.36[6]
The Agni Purana mentions that the duties of a Shudra (the fourth class of people) are to serve the brahmanas or to practise handicrafts.[7]
शूद्रस्य द्विजशुश्रूषा सर्वशिल्पानि वाप्यथ ॥१५१.९[8]
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.
- ↑ Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, Adhyaya 59
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Shastri, Ramnarayanadatta Pandey, Mahabharata Volume 6 (With Hindi Translation), Gorakhpur:Gita Press.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mahabharata, Anushasana Parva, Adhyaya 208
- ↑ The Agni Purana (Part 2), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
- ↑ Agni Purana, Adhyaya 151