What is Shudra?

Answer 1

SHUDRA VARNA AND SHUDRA: 1. Shudra is the fourth and the last Varna in Hinduism.

A person using that Varna is also called a Shudra.

2. It is the exact opposite of Brahmana Varna.

3. It is the most misunderstood Varna.

4. A Hindu uses this Varna when his life is chaotic.

5. The salient feature of this Varna is absence of a status, or the presence of a status that varies every moment. This unlimited freedom is necessary for a Shudra because, to survive he must be ready to do any thing and everything

6. This unlimited freedom makes an activity to transform every time it is re executed (Reincarnation). Thus, Karma is highest in Shudra Varna and least in Brahmana Varna.

7. The absence of a status makes Shudra to use reasoning. This is in marked contrast to Brahmana, who uses logic.

8. He can live outside the society and have unlimited freedom. However, if we wishes to return to the society, he must live under the guidance of a man with a higher Varna. In this mode, he is an integral part of the Hindu society.

However, if he tries to live independently in the society he becomes an untouchable.

9. He lives on a moment to moment basis. This is in contrast to a Brahmana, who leads an eternally unchanging life

Since a Shudra keeps changing continuously he is unreliable

10. He can't have assets.

11. He is not permitted to read Vedas because Vedas are based on logic and Shudra uses reasoning.

SHUDRA AND RIGVEDA:

According to Purusha Sukta (Rigveda 1.10. 90 - 12) Brahmana was the mouth, Kshatriyas were made of the arms, Vaishyas from thighs and Shudras from the feet of Purusha. This Mantra is misinterpreted and is thus supposed to degrade Shudras.

The most efficient way of eating is in which food is placed in our mouth by someone (Brahmana Varna). A less efficient way is one in which we use our arms to reach the food (Kshatriya Varna). If we also bring our thighsforwards to reach the food it becomes still less efficient (Vaishya Varna). It is least efficient when we use our feet to reach for the food (Shudra Varna).

Thus, what Rigveda 1.10.90 - 12 symbolically means is that Brahmana Varna is the most efficient and Shudra Varna, the least efficient.

Thus, sooner than later, a Hindu should imitate a Brahmana, if he can't afford to become a Brahmana.

This also proves that Varnas have nothing to do with occupation, as is popularly believed.

HIGHER VARNAS FOR A SHUDRA:

A Shudra can have become a Vaishya by having minimum standards for all activities of his life. He can become a Kshatriya by having minimum and maximum standards. He can become a Brahmana by raising the minimum standard to the maximum standard, thus making both one and the same.

However, since a Shudra does everything on a temporary basis it may take generations for a Shudra family to become a Brahmana family.

Answer 2

Shudras are people belonging to the lowest of the four Varnas. They are labor class people doing odd and temporary jobs.

DVIJAS AND SHUDRAS

Shudras, unlike, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are not 'Dvija's. The word 'Dvija' is supposed to mean 'twice born'. Actually it means 'made of two'.

Thus, 'Dvija' is one whose life is 'made of ' two kinds of controls viz. manual and automatic.

Shudra wouldn't have positive or negative attitudes,unlike 'Dvija's who would have one or both attitudes.

The absence of attitudes of life makes the life of a Shudra exaggeratedly flexible, which is a boon to survive in chaotic situations. Unfortunately, it is this exaggerated flexibility that makes it difficult for a Shudra to live in a society in which there are rigid and eternal laws.

It also makes him live under the constant guidance of a Hindu of a higher Varna.

The exaggerated flexibility makes him fit only for odd temporary jobs. He can't have assets.

THE VITAL ROLE PLAYED BY SHUDRA IN HINDU SOCIETY

Shudra has vital role to play in Hindu society.

1. Shudra leads a very flexible life thus enabling the society to be disciplined.

2. His needs are simple and this makes the society he lives in efficient.

3. He is the absorber of Karma or inertial force and this enables people of higher Varnas to be more active.

4. He is the experimenter of Hinduism because he has enormous freedom and flexibility and his chaotic life forces him to consider all options. Other Hindus then copy the good aspects of his experiments

5. He is the one who brings changes into Hindu society because Brahmanas lead a very rigid life.