Manu Smriti is the clearest Hindu document which spells out that Shudras are just filthy and have to be enslaved. Many Hindus want to just do away with Manu Smriti but the exercises’ futile. Manu Smriti is authenticated by the Vedas and also the Upanishads. Following is a list of verbatim quotations from Manu Smriti, which speak of and approve the caste system:
“But for the sake of the prosperity of the worlds he caused the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, and the Sudra to proceed from his mouth, his arms, his thighs, and his feet.”
[Manu Smriti 1:31]
“A low-caste man who tries to place himself on the same seat with a man of a high caste, shall be branded on his hip and be banished, or (the king) shall cause his buttock to be gashed.” [Manu Smriti 8: 281] Caste is by birth.
“A Brahmana may confidently seize the goods of (his) Sudra (slave); for, as that (slave) can have no property, his master may take his possessions.”
[Manu Smriti 8: 417]
“But a Sudra, whether bought or unbought, he may compel to do servile work; for he was created by the Self-existent (Svayambhu) to be the slave of a Brahmin.”
[Manu Smriti 8:413]
“A Sudra, though emancipated by his master, is not released from servitude; since that is innate in him, who can set him free from it?”
[Manu Smriti 8:414]
Manusmriti declares that a Shudra cannot marry a girl from outside his caste. But a Brahmin can marry in the other three castes also in addition to his own. Similarly Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are allowed to marry girls from castes lower than their own besides from their own castes.
[Manu Smriti 3:13]
Know that a Brahmana of ten years and Kshatriya of a hundred years stand to each other in the relation of father and son; but between those two the Brahmana is the father.
[Manu Smriti 2:135]
Manu Smriti forbids a Shudra from giving evidence in a law-suit involving Brahmins. Similarly, a Brahmin cannot give evidence in a Shudra's case. Shudras alone can appear as witnesses in a case involving Shudras and the same rule applies to scavangers also.
[Manu Smriti 8: 68]
In short, the scriptures provide maximum punishment for Shudras, while the other castes get lesser punishment for the same kind of offence. The tongue of a Shudra who utters harsh words against the twice-born must be cut, says the 'Manu Smriti.
' If a Shudra pronounces the name and surname of a twice-born or utters impertinent words like "Hey Yagnadatt, you are a low Brahmin", etc., a ten-inch-long, red-hot iron nail is to be thrust into his mouth.
[Manu Smriti 8 :267 - 268]
Ironically, a Shudra is punished even for doing good deeds. Religious preaching was considered to be righteous act. But 'Manu Smriti' says that hot oil must be poured into the mouth and ear of a Shudra who dares to preach to a Brahmin [Manu Smriti 8 : 270 - 271]
A Shudra is not to be given good advice.
"Let him not give to a Sudra advice, nor the remnants (of his meal), nor food offered to the gods; nor let him explain the sacred law (to such a man), nor impose (upon him) a penance."
[Manu Smriti 4: 80]
