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From: paturi@harvard.UUCP (Ramamohan Paturi)
Newsgroups: net.nlang.india
Subject: Re: Some Ideas from India: Laws of Manu: Duties of Sudras
Message-ID: <653@harvard.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 27-Jan-86 15:03:06 EST
Article-I.D.: harvard.653
Posted: Mon Jan 27 15:03:06 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 30-Jan-86 01:35:10 EST
References: <589@harvard.UUCP> <3909@think.ARPA>
Organization: Aiken Comp Lab, Harvard
Lines: 35
Summary: Some Comments


	It is probably true that Manu's code does not exactly represent 
	the roles of castes in the society either now or then. This code
	is an attempt by a section of the people of the ancient India to
	establish, maintain, perpetuate and justify a social order which
	suited them. It is certainly true that at any time not all sudras 
	are bound to the upper caste people either spiritually or physically.
	As India is varied, people of lower castes enjoyed different status
	in different parts of India. Probably, the predicament of sudras is
	also reduced due to the concept of past karma. At the same time, the
	actual treatment of sudras is much worse than is prescribed in Manu's
	code as one can infer from the current situation in India. (A lower 
	caste person can not use the drinking water facilities of higher
	caste people in several parts of India.)

	It might be worthwhile to have an accurate picture of the origin
	of the caste system and its life throughout the centuries. More
	importantly, it is necessary to understand what is entailed by caste
	in the current India. (Our politics are casteist and our loyalties are
	casteist.) I believe that awarenes of the pervasive influence of
	caste and the resulting discrimination is a first step for something
	better. Can any Indian deny the psychological security that he/she
	enjoys by accepting some of the rules of his/her own caste?

	I should acknowledge some of the points made by some of the responders
	to my posting.

	As Muralidhar points out, one can not underestimate the positive impact
	of Bhakti movemment on caste system. Bhakti has cut across the barriers
	of caste and thus rejuvenated Hinduism. As Vasudev points out, Manu's
	laws are of a much latter origin. (????AD)
	Balaji's posting is an eye opener. 

	-Ramamohan Paturi
	paturi@harvard.HARVARD.EDU.ARPA