Sat-Sudra

Sat-Sudra or High Born Sudra, also known as Pure Sudra, is a caste classification found in ancient Hindu texts and mentioned in several British Raj records. Sat-sudra is a classification used to describe high-caste groups who are originally Brahmins, Kshatriyas, or Vaishyas but do not follow their Vedic rites, hence becoming sudras in ritual rank. Sat-Sudras, placed after Brahmins, were considered higher caste, different from Sudras or asat-Sudras.

Etymology
According to Puranic texts, the Sakas, Yavanas, Bahlikas, Kambojas, and Dravidas are Noble Kshatriyas all described as part of the Indo-Aryan peoples. They are said to have become vratya Kshatriyas or mlechha (foreign) caste during the Kali Yuga. During the British periods, certain Brahmin communities, such as the Bhumihar Brahmins, Pushpaka Brahmins, and Pirali Brahmins, were classified as degraded Brahmins. Despite this perception, they maintained significant wealth and status as landlords in the pre-British era or Medieval India.

According to the sacred Hindu text Bhagavad Gita verse 13.2: "Janmanā jāyate śūdraḥ saṁskārād dhi bhaved dvijaḥ," meaning everyone is born śūdra by birth, by samskara one upgrades to dvija status.

Hiranyagarbha ritual
In Ancient India, Brahmins and Kshatriyas rulers performed a ritual called Hiranyagarbha, which was used to reclaim their lost varna rites. It was a sacrifice aimed at obtaining divine sanction from the original creator – Brahma or Prajapati – who were believed to be born from a Hiranyagarbha, or golden conception. This concept, though simple, was considered expensive during that period.

The term "hiranyagarbha" translates to "golden womb," symbolizing both a golden pot (kunda) offered to a Brahmana and the deity Vishnu. During the ritual, the donor conducts an archana (worship ritual) and recites a mantra praising Vishnu as Hiranyagarbha. Subsequently, the donor enters the "golden womb" while priests perform rites similar to those for a pregnant woman, including garbhadhana, pumsavana, and simantonnayana. Upon emerging from the "golden womb," the priests perform jatakarma and other rites customary for a newborn. The donor then recites a mantra proclaiming a "rebirth" from the divine womb, thus referred to as "born of the hiranyagarbha." After the ceremony, the donor gifts the "golden womb" and other offerings to the priests.