tadabhāvanirdhāraṇe ca pravṛtteḥ ..1.3.37..

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36. The scriptures take it for granted that the sacraments are preparatory to Brahma-knowledge, and with regard to a Shudra there is a declaration that such sacraments are not possible for him. — 100.

COMMENTARY

In another Shruti we find: «Let him invest a Brahmana at the age of eight and then teach him, a Kshatriya at the age of eleven and a Vaishya at the age of twelve». This shows that investiture with sacred thread is a necessary preliminary to the study of sacred literature, and the three higher castes are only entitled to it. In another text we find that there is an express declaration that a Shudra has no sacraments. It says a Shudra cannot perform a lire-sacrifice or ordinary sacrifice or sacraments or vows. Therefore, a Shudra is a disqualified person because he is outside the pale of the three castes, because no sacraments are ordained regarding him, and the study of the Vedas pre-supposes the performance of the sacraments.

The next Sutra further strengthens the view that a Shudra can have no Samskara.

SUTRA I. 3. 37.

तदभावनिर्धारणे च प्रवृत्तेः॥१.३.३७॥

tadabhāvanirdhāraṇe ca pravṛtteḥ ..1.3.37..

Tad, that, namely, the Shudra-hood. … Abhava, absence, negation. … Nirdharane, in ascertainment. .. Cha, and. … Pravritteh, because of taking stops to, because of the procedure.

37. Because Gautama in the legend of Jabala takes the precaution of first ascertaining that the latter is not a Shudra and then he proceeds to invest him with the sacred thread. — 101.

COMMENTARY

In the Chhandogya itself there is a legend of Gautama and Jabala. Jabala went to Gautama and said, «Teach me, Sir». Gautama asked him, «To what Gotra do you belong? He being a foundling, said, «I do not know, Sir, to what Gotra I belong». By this truthful speech, it was ascertained that Jabala was not a Shudra and Gautama says, «No one not a Brahmana has the courage to say so». He then asks him to bring the sacred fuel and he invests him with the sacred thread. This action of Gautama, in first convincing himself as to the caste of the candidate and then proceeding to teach him after investing him with sacred thread, shows that a Shudra cannot he taught the Vedas. The word Brahmana used by Gautama includes the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas also. This story of Gautama ‘and Jabala also indicates that the sacraments are necessary before one can study the Vedas.

Note: The story of Jabala and Gautama does not prove anything of the kind. Jabala was a foundling and he asked his foster-mother what was his Gotra, because he wanted to study the Vedas. His mother said, «I found you abandoned and so I cannot tell you what is your Gotra. Go to your teacher and tell him that you are the adopted son of Jabala and your name is Jabala». He does so; and Gautama s pleased with his frankness. Gautama does not test his caste, but his moral qualifications. Certainly according to Gautama every truthful man ought to be classed as Brahmana for the purposes of Vaidic study. Shudras, if not liars and possessing high in oral qualities, are entitled to be classed as Brahmanas. The Brahmana-hood depends upon the qualities of the soul. As a general rule, the presumption is in favour of a soul possessing Brahmanic qualities, if it is born in a Brahmana’s family. The selection of a family depends upon the Karmas of the soul. But all admit that in this Kali age, there has arisen a confusion of castes. The Brahmanic family need not possess the attributes of a Brahmana; and so a soul horn in such family need not be a Brahmanic soul. The Shastras say that, if a family follows for seven generations the professions of another caste, the descendants in the eighth generation should be classed as members of the caste to which that profession legally belongs. Judged by that standard many families have lost their right to be styled Brahmanas.

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