Rathakara

According to some doctrines these Rathakāras have no right to take part in any of the sacrifices as they are degraded to Śudra. A Śudra is not initiated to Vedic studies hence no Upanayana, as the sacrificer has to know Vedas, hence Śudra cannot participate in any kind of Yajña.^[2] Baudhāyana on the other hand admits this degraded Rathakāra to the ceremony of Upanayana, according to him fallen Rathakāra ought to perform this ceremony the rainy season.^[3] But some text mention that even a Śudra was allowed to participate in few sacrifices, and was even entitled to perform certain sacrifices like Pākayajñas, Śradhayajñas.^[4] But they were not entitled to perform the sacrifices which were strictly vedic.^[4] Sage Jaimini mentions another Rathakāra whose social status is inferior to Vaiśya but superior to that of a Śudra, and calls them Saudhavanas.^[5]

• Ratha