Shudra
Among the four major social groups
(varnas) in the traditional Hindu soci-
ety, the shudras are the lowest and least
influential. In this model, the shudras’
social function was to serve all the oth-
ers. This low social status is reflected in
the creation story known as the Purusha
Sukta, in which the shudras are
described as being created from the
Primeval Man’s feet. The feet are the
lowest and basest part of the body, and
the shudra was correspondingly seen as
the lowest level of casteHindu society.
Unlike members of the “twice-born”
varnas—brahmin, kshatriya, and
vaishya—whose adolescent males were
entitled to have a ritual second birth
that entitled them to study the Veda,
shudras were always once-born, and
thus forbidden to study or even to hear
the Veda. In practice the status of shu-
dras differed widely from region to
region—in southern India, many of the
land-owning jatis(endogamoussocial
subgroups) were shudras, and they were
very influential communities. At the
very least, they were accorded a defini-
tive place in caste Hinduism, unlike the
untouchables, who were considered
completely impure, usually because of
their hereditary occupations.
Shudraka
(early 5th c.) Playwright and author of
the Mrcchakatika (“The Little Clay
Cart”). This drama describes the love
between a poor but noble brahmin,
Charudatta, and a wealthy but virtuous
courtesan, Vasantasena, set in the con-
text of a complicated political intrigue. It
is notable for its detailed portrayal of
everyday urban life, exemplified by the
little clay cart, which is a child’s toy. It
has been translated into several lan-
guages, and is periodically performed
for modern American audiences.
Shuka
(“parrot”) In Hindu mythology, a sage
whose life story upholds the traditional
doctrine of the four stages of life(ashra-
mas). Shuka was the sonof the sage
Vyasa, born when Vyasa had a seminal
emission upon seeing a celestial nymph
(apsara) in the form of a parrot. From
boyhood Shuka was interested only in
spiritual life and had the firm desire
never to marry, but despite intensive
spiritual study he could not find con-
tentment. He eventually decided to visit
the sage-king Janaka, who advised
Shuka that he could rightly consider
renunciation only after having married
and raised a family. Shuka returned
home to his father and lived the house-
holder’s life; later in life he took
up renunciation again and became
perfectly realized.Shuka Sampraday
Another name for the Charanadasireli-
gious community, since their founder
Charanadas was believed to have
received initiationfrom the sage Shuka.
See Charanadasi.Shukla Paksha
(“light half”) Name denoting the waxing
half of a lunar month, so called because
the moon’slight increases every night.Shukra
In Hindu mythology, the religious
teacher (guru) of the type ofdemons
known as asuras. Shukra is a well-
known figure who appears most promi-
nently in the tale of the Vamana avatar.
In this tale, the Asura king Baliis per-
forming a great sacrifice. He is
approached by the god Vishnu, who has
taken the form of a dwarf (vamana), and
asks Bali for three paces of land to build
a sacrificial altar. Shukra suspects a
trick, and warns Bali not to grant it, but
Bali ignores Shukra’s cautionary advice.
As soon as Bali grants the gift, the dwarf
grows immensely large. With his first
two steps Vishnu measures out the cos-
mos, and with his third pushes Bali
down into the underworld, where he is
allowed to reign as king.Shukra