Q. Consider the following statements regarding “upanayana samskara”:

1. The Upanayana Sanskar is invested with the sacred thread necessary to receive education.
2. All the four Varnas were entitled to such a ceremony and were therefore known as Dwijas.

Select the correct option from the codes given below:
Answer: Only 1
Notes: The four varnas into which the society was divided were Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. The increasing number of sacrifices and rituals during this period made the Brahmins very powerful. They conducted various rituals related to different stages of agricultural work. This made him more important. Next in the social hierarchy were the Kshatriya rulers. He controlled all aspects of life along with the Brahmins. Vaishyas, the largest varna, were engaged in agriculture as well as trade and artisanal activities. The Brahmins and Kshatriyas were dependent on the tribute (gifts and taxes) paid to them by the Vaishyas. Shudras, the fourth varna, were at the bottom of the social hierarchy. He was appointed in the service of the three upper varnas. They were not entitled to the ritual of Upanayana rites, which would have invested with the sacred thread necessary for attaining education. The other three varnas were entitled to such a ceremony and were therefore known as dvijas. This can be considered as the beginning of the imposition of disability on the Shudras as well as the beginning of the concept of ritual pollution.