Shudra 4

...Further he is to be respected only when he reaches the tenth decade of his life or attain an age of more than ninety years while a Brahman attains respect by birth. Such is the natural Varna dharma process. Such a condition means that a Shudra never effectively gets the respect in his entire life. He was not created for that. And obviously, he cannot have a wife from any of the higher Varna as a mark of his subordination. Further the only way a Shudra can relate to a Brahman is as his servant. Any relations with upper castes on the basis of equality are prohibited. When a Shudra goes to the house of a Brahman, he is allowed to eat only with his servants. A Shudra cannot move with a Brahman.

A Brahman is prevented from doing many things in presence of a Shudra. First he cannot move with any Shudra. He cannot recite sacred text or Shastras in presence of a Shudra. He cannot go to any journey with a Shudra. He cannot eat food given by a Shudra. He cannot explain any of the sacred scriptures to any Shudra. This effectively prevents a Shudra from benefiting from the company any Brahman. And also prevents a Brahman from benefiting a Shudra. Further, if a Shudra refuses to serve the higher Varnas then the king should force him to do so since he was created by the God to serve the twice born. In doing so the king would only be fulfilling God’s will. If a Shudra accumulates property then the king or Brahman should seize it because if he earns his livelihood from property then he would forget his dharma of serving others. And he would create adharma by trying to become equivalent to higher Varnas. This is essentially a corruption of dharma which is to be avoided by king. The inequality in favor of higher Varnas was much desired by the esteemed lawmakers. If a Shudra causes a Brahman to suffer then he should be punished in an exemplary manner which puts terror in the heart of all the Shudras in an enduring manner. This should prevent other Shudras from harming the Brahmanas. This should also prevent other Shudras from rebelling for achieving equality. If a Shudra want to improve his next birth then he should serve the higher Varnas with all his humility. He should be virtuous servant to those in higher Varna.

Further for all his hard work, labor and serving the upper castes, he is to be rewarded with leftover food of his master, with his old clothes and refuse of his grain. This means that s Shudra having quality food and wearing nice clothes was supposed to be corrupting dharma which was to be punished suitably...