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The Caste System Click on underlined words to open paragraph The Four Orders of Human Beings From the Mahabharata Low Birth & High Birth Time Assails The Energy Of
Righteousness Brahmanas and Sudras (From Tulasi Ramayana) The Four Varnas Brihadaranyaka Upanishad __________________ The Four Orders of Human
Beings In the Bhagavad Gita, Ch.4, Verse 13 In the Bhagavad Gita, Ch.18, verse 40 Gita Ch. 18, V.41: [Note: The word 'GUNA' in Vedanta means prakriti (Satwa, The following explanation is from The Four Orders of human Beings Brigu said, "..... (The Creator created) human beings with their four divisions,
viz., Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras. The complexion the Brahmanas obtained
was white; that which the Kshatriyas obtained was red; that which the Vaisyas got was
yellow; and that which was given to the Sudras was black." Bharadwaja said, "If the distinction between the four orders of human beings be
made by means only of colour (attribute), then it seems that all the four orders have been
mingled together. Lust, wrath, fear, cupidity, grief, anxiety, hunger, toil,- possess and
prevail over all men. How can men be distinguished by the possession of attributes? Brigu said,"There is really no distinction between the different orders. The whole world at first consisted of Brahmanas. Created equal by the Creator, men have in consequence of their acts, become distributed into different orders. They that became fond of indulging in desire and enjoying pleasures, possessed of the attributes of severity and wrath, endued with courage, and unmindful of the duties of piety and worship, - these Brahmanas possessing the attribute of Passion, - became Kshatriyas. Those Brahmanas again who, without attending to the duties laid down for them, became possessed of both the attributes of Goodness and Passion, and took to the professions of cattle-rearing and agriculture, became Vaisyas. Those Brahmanas again that became fond of untruth and injuring other creatures, possessed of cupidity, - engaged in all kinds of acts for a living, and fallen away from purity of behaviour, and thus wedded to the attribute of Darkness, became Sudras. Separated by these occupations, Brahmanas, falling away from their own order, became members of the other three orders. All the four orders, therefore, have always the right to the performance of all pious duties and of sacrifices. Even thus were the four orders at first created equal by Brahma (the Creator) who ordained for all of them (the observances disclosed in) the words of Brahma (in the Vedas). Through cupidity alone, many fell away, and became possessed by ignorance. The Brahmanas always devoted to the scriptures on Brahma; and mindful of vows and
restraints, are capable of grasping the conception of Brahman. Their penances therefore,
never go for nothing. They amongst them are not Brahmanas that are incapable of
understanding that every created thing is Supreme Brahman. The great Rishis who at the beginning sprang into life (through the Creator`s will) subsequently created, by means of their penances, men devoted to the duties ordained for them and attached to the rites laid down in the Eternal Vedas. That other Creation, however, which is eternal and undecaying, which is based upon Supreme Brahman and has sprung from the Primevel God, and which has its refuge upon yoga, is a mental one." Bharadwaja said:" By what acts does one become a Brahman? By what a Kshatriya? By what acts again does one become a Vaisya or a Sudra? Tell me this, O foremost of speakers." Bhrigu said, "That person is called a Brahman who has been sanctified by such rites as those called JATA and others; who is pure in behaviour; who is engaged in studying the Vedas; who is devoted to the six well-known acts (of ablutions every morning and evening, silent recitation of mantras, pouring libations on the sacrificial fire, worshipping the deities, doing the duties of hospitality to guests, and offering food to the Viswedevas); who is properly observant of all pious acts; who never takes food without having offered it duly to gods and guests; who is filled with reverence for his preceptor; and who is always devoted to vows and truth. He is called a Brahmana in whom are truth, gifts, abstention He who is engaged in the profession of battle, who studies the Vedas, who makes gifts (to Brahmanas) and takes wealth (from those he protects) is called a Kshatriya. He who earns fame from keep of cattle, who is employed in agriculture and the means of acquiring wealth, who is pure in behaviour and attends to the study of the Vedas, is called a Vaisya. He who takes pleasure in eating every kind of food, who is engaged in doing every kind of work, who is impure in behaviour, who does not study the Vedas, and whose conduct is unclean, is said to be a Sudra. If these characteristics be observable in a Sudra, and if they be not found in a Brahmana, then such a Sudra, is no Sudra, and such a Brahmana is no Brahmana. By every means should cupidity and wrath be restrained. This as also self-restraint, are the highest results of Knowledge. Those passions (cupidity and wrath), should, with one`s whole heart, be resisted.They make their appearance for destroying one`s highest good. One should always protect one`s prosperity from one`s wrath, one`s penance from pride; one`s knowledge from honour and disgrace; and one`s soul from error. That intelligent person, who does all acts without desire of fruit, whose whole wealth exists for charity, and who performs the daily Homa, is a real renouncer (karma-sannyasa). One should conduct oneself as a friend to all creatures, abstaining from all acts of injury. Rejecting the acceptance of all gifts, one should, by the aid of one`s intelligence, be a complete master of one`s passions. One should live in one`s soul where there can be no grief. One would then have no fear here and attain to a fearless region hereafter. One should live always devoted to penances, and with all passions completely restrained; observing the vow of taciturnity, and with soul concentrated on itself; desirous of conquering the unconquered senses, and unattached in the midst of attachments. The indications of a Brahmana are purity, good behaviour and compassion unto all
creatures." Top <To top of this page Sufficient liberty of action is left to them in consequence of which Bhishma said: So far as their bodies are concerned, the individuals belonging to all the four orders have the five primal elements for the constituent ingredients. Indeed, in this respect, they are all of the same substance. For all that, distinctions exist between them in respect of both practices relating to life or the world and the duties of righteousness. Notwithstanding these distinctions, sufficient liberty of action is left to them in consequence of which all individuals may attain to an equality of condition. All men are equal in respect of their physical organism. The status of a Brahmana is incapable kshatriya, vaishya and Sudra cannot become Brahman Bhishma said: Neither birth, nor the purificatory rites, nor learning, From the Mahabharata Addressing Uma, Mahadeva said:> If the Sudra desires to be a Vaisya, he should abstain from meat of animalsnot slain in sacrifices. He should be truthful in speech, and free from pride and arrogance. He should rise superior to all pairs of opposites (such as heat and cold,joy and sorrow etc.), he should be observant of the duties of peace and tranquillity.He should adore the deities in sacrifices, attend with devotion to the study and recitation of the Vedas, and become pure in body and mind. He should keep his senses under subjection, honour the Brahmanas, and seek the welfare of all the orders. Leading the domestic mode of life and eating only twice a day at the prescribed hours he should gratify his hunger with only such food as remains after the needs have been satisfied of all the members of his family with dependants and guests. He should be abstemious in food, and act without being impelled bythe desire of reward. He should be free from egotism. He should adore the deities in Agnihotra (Sacred Fire Ceremony) and pour libations according to the ordinance. Observing the duties of hospitality towards all persons, he should, as already said, eat the food that remains after serving all others for whom it has been cooked. He should, according to the ordinance laid down, worship the three fires. If a Vaisya,( after becoming a Kshatriya, wishing to become a Brahmana), goes through the usual purificatory rites, becomes invested with the sacred thread, and betakes himself to the observance of vows, he should make presents, adore the deities in great sacrifices with plentiful Dakshinas (gifts), study the Vedas. He should interfere for dispelling the sorrows of the distressed, and should always righteously cherish and protect those subjects that own his sway. He should be truthful, and do all acts that have truth in them and seek happiness in conduct like this. He should induce men to do righteous deeds. He should never indulge in sexual pleasure, but live cheerfully and in independence, well conversant with the science of Wealth and Profit. Of righteous soul, he should seek his wedded spouse only in her season. He should always observe fasts, keep his soul under control, devote himself to the study of the Vedas, and be pure in body and mind. He should pursue the aggregate of Three (Virtue, Wealth and Pleasure), and be always
cheerful. He should never desire anything from motives of gain or pleasure. He should
worship the Pitris (ancestors) and gods and guests. Endued with knowledge and science, purified from all dross, and fully conversant with the Vedas, a pious Kshatriya, by his own acts, becomes a Brahmana. It is with the aid of these acts, that a person who has sprung from a degraded order, viz., a Sudra, may become a Brahmana refined of all stains and possessed of Vedic lore. One that is Brahmana, when he becomes wicked in conduct and observes no distinction in respect of food, falls away from the status of a Brahmanhood and becomes a Sudra. Even a Sudra that has purified his soul by pure deeds and that has subjugated all his senses, deserves to be waited upon and served with reverence as a Brahmana.. This has been said by the Self-born Brahman Himself. When a pious nature and pious deeds are noticeable in even a Sudra, he should be held superior to a person of the three regenerate classes. Neither birth, nor the purificatory rites, nor learning, nor offspring, can be regarded as grounds for conferring upon one the regenerate status. Verily conduct is the only ground. All Brahmanas in this world are Brahmanas in consequence of conduct. A Sudra, if he is established on good conduct, is regarded as possessed of the status of a Brahmana. The status of a Brahmana is equal wherever it exists. He, indeed, is a Brahmana in whom the status of Brahma exists; that condition which is bereft of attributes and which has no stain attached to it. The boon giving Brahma, while he created all creatures, himself said that the distribution of human beings into the four orders dependent on birth is only for purposes of classification. The Brahmana who wishes to achieve his own good should always adhere to the path of righteousness. He should always be devoted to the study of the Vedas, but he should never derive the means of sustenance from such study. That Brahmana who always conducts himself thus, adhering to the path of righteousness, worshipping his sacred fire, and engaged in the study of the Vedas, comes to be regarded as Brahma. The status of Brahmana once gained, it should always be protected with care by avoiding the stain of contact with persons born in inferior orders, and by abstaining from the acceptance of gifts. I have thus told thee a mystery, viz., the manner in which a Sudra may become a Brahmana, or that by which a Brahmana falls away from his own pure status and becomes a Sudra. __________________ FromTejabindupanishad, Shloka 12: Brahman (the Supreme Reality) is not known to those who are possessed of avarice, delusion, fear, egotism, lust, anger, and sin or possessed of (unable to bear) heat and cold, hunger and thirst, or mental resolve and indecision, or pride of birth in a Brahmin (priest) family, or vanity in having read a mass of books on Mukti (liberation or salvation). [Note: Comments by Swami Madhavananda, Advaita Ashrama: Realisation is not dependent on
birth or book-learning as has been repeatedly demonstrated in the lives of saints, from
the very earliest times to our own day.] From The Mahabharata Vyasa said: Even if a person happens to belong to the inferior order (Sudra), even if one happens to be a woman, both of them, by following in the path of Yoga, will surely attain to the highest end. [Note: What is the path of Yoga? Vyasa first provides the definition of the word 'YOGA' as follows:The uniting together of Intellect and Mind, and all the senses, and the all pervading Soul is said to be Knowledge of the foremost kind. Vyasa further explains the path of Yoga: That Knowledge should be acquired (through the
preceptor's aid) by one that is of a tranquil disposition, that has mastered his senses,
that is capable (by meditation) of turning his gaze on the Soul, that takes a pleasure in
such meditation, that is endued with intelligence and pure in acts. The Basis of the Caste System The basis of the caste system, according to the Hindu view, is men’s self-evident inborn inequality; physical, intellectual, and spiritual. An individual is born into a higher or lower caste as a result of actions performed by him in his previous life, and each person, therefore, is himself responsible for his position. By discharging the duties determined by his caste, a man becomes qualified for birth in a higher caste in a future life. If one does not accept the doctrine of rebirth and the law of karma, then the inequity from which members of lower castes often suffer cannot be explained.__________________ Top <To top of this page Brahman must never accept food from a Sudra Anusasana Parva, Section CXXXVTranslated by Sri Kisari Mohan Ganguli Bhishma said: A brahmana may take his food from another Brahmana or from a Kshatriya or a Vaisya, but he must never accept food from a Sudra. A Kshatriya may take his food from a Brahmana, a Kshatriya or a Vaisya. He must, however, eschew food given by Sudras who are addicted to evil ways and who partake of all manner of food without any scruple. Brahmanas and Kshatriyas can partake of food given by such Vaisyas as tend the sacred fire every day, as are faultless in character, and as perform the vow of Chaturmasya (Note: Chaturmasya is the four month period of special vows and austerities in Hindu tradition). ... Verily, those Brahmanas that take their food from Sudras, take the dirt of the earth. .... Those who impudently partake of food offered at ceremonials in a Sudra's house are afflicted with a terrible calamity. In consequence of partaking such forbidden food they lose their family, strength, and energy, and attain to the status of animals, descending to the position of dogs, fallen in virtue and devoid of all religious observances. The acceptance of food from a wicked person is considered as reprehensible as the
slaying of a Brahmana. One should not accept food if one is slighted and not received with
due honours by the giver. A Brahmana, who does so, is soon overtaken by disease, and his
race soon becomes extinct. Addressing Uma, Mahadev said: The culture of the soul Those that are righteous and desirous of acquiring merit always pursue with firmness the culture of the soul. The food that comes from cruel and fierce persons is censurable. So also is the food that has been cooked for serving a large number of persons. The same is said of the food that is cooked in view of the first Sraddha of a diseased person. So also is the food that is stained in consequence of the usual faults and the food that is supplied by a Sudra. These should never be taken by a Brahmana at any time. The food of a Sudra, O goddess, is always disapproved of by the high-souled deities. ..... In consequence of those remains of a Sudra's food in his stomach, he falls away from the status of a Brahmana. Such a Brahmana becomes invested with the status of a Sudra, there is no doubt in this. This Brahmana in his next life becomes invested with the status of that order upon whose food he subsists through life or with the undigested portion of whose food in his stomach he breathes his last. That man who, having attained to the auspicious status of a Brahmana which is so difficult to acquire, disregards it and eats interdicted food, falls away from his high status. That Brahmana who drinks alcohol, who becomes guilty of Brahmanicide or mean in his behaviour, or a thief, or who breaks his vows, or becomes impure, or unmindful of his Vedic studies, or sinful, or characterised by cupidity, or guilty of cunning or cheating, or who does not observe vows, or who weds a Sudra woman, or who derives his subsistence by pandering to the lusts of other people, or who sells the Soma plant, or who serves a person of an order below his, falls away from his status of Brahmanhood. That Brahmana who violates the bed of his preceptor, or who cherishes malice towards
him, or who takes pleasure in speaking ill of him. falls away from the status of
Brahmanhood even if he be conversant with Brahmana. By these good acts, again, O
goddess, when performed, a Sudra becomes a Brahmana. From Tha Mahabharata Bhishma said: From the Bhagavad Gita In the Bhagavad Gita, Ch.18, verse 40 "There is no being on earth, or again in heaven among the gods, Gita Ch. 18, V.41: Gita Ch.18, v.42: Gita,Ch. 18, v.43 Gita,Ch. 18, v. 44: Gita, Ch.18, v.45: Gita, Ch. 18, v.47.: Gita, Ch. 18, v.48.: Swami Sivananda (The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh) , in his commentary on Gita,Ch.18, verses 41,and 45 says: "Mankind is organised into the four castes and each man`s life is divided into
four stages, according to the nature of the Gunas and the degree of growth or evolution.
This is the division of labour for which each caste is fitted according to its own nature.
The duty prescribed is your sole support, each devoted to his own duty in accordance with
his own nature or caste,and the highest service you can render to the Supreme is to carry
it out whole-heartedly, without expectation of fruits, with the attitude of dedication to
the Lord. Top <To top of this page Mundaka Upanishad III-(1)-5 Truth, penance, understanding and purity are essential requisites for this revelation of the Brahman (the Supreme Reality) within. When the heart is cleansed, Brahman is revealed, and He is seen shining like a burning light within oneself. From The Mahabharata Bhishma said: A person that is born of irregular union presents diverse features of disposition. One`s purity of birth, again, is to be ascertained from one`s acts which must resemble the acts of those who are admittedly good and righteous. A disrespectable behaviour, acts opposed to those laid down in the scriptures, crookedness and cruelty, and abstention from sacrifices and other spiritual acts that lead to merit, proclaim one`s impurity of origin. A son receives the disposition of either the father or the mother. Sometimes he catches
the disposition of both. Creatures in the world are endued with diverse kinds of disposition. They are again, seen to be employed in diverse kinds of acts. Amongst creatures thus employed, there is nothing that is so good or precious as pure birth and righteous conduct. If a person be born in a low order, that good understanding which arises from a study of the scriptures fails to rescue his body from low acts. Absolute goodness of understanding may be of different degrees. It may be high, middling or low. Even if it appears in a person of low extraction, it disappears like autumnal clouds without producing any consequences. On the other hand, that other goodness of understanding which, according to its measure, has ordained the status in which a person has been born, shows itself in his acts. If a person happens to belong to a superior order but still if he happens to be
divested of good behaviour, he should receive no respect or worship. One may worship even
a Sudra if he happens to be conversant with duties and be of good conduct. From The Mahabharata Janaka said: O great ascetic, is man stained by his acts or is he stained by the order or class in which he is born? A doubt has arisen in my mind. It behoveth thee to expound this to me. Parsara said: Without doubt, O king, both, viz., acts and birth, are sources of
demerit. Listen now to their difference. That man who, though stained by birth, does not
commit sin, abstains from sin notwithstanding birth and acts. If, however, a person of
superior birth perpetrates censurable acts, such acts stain him. Hence, of the two, viz.,
acts and birth, acts stain man more than birth. From The Mahabharata Bhishma said: If a king gathers round him persons of low birth, he can never be happy. A person of high birth, even if persecuted without any fault by his royal master, never sets his heart, in consequence of the respectability of his blood, upon injuring his master. An individual, however, that is mean and of low birth, having obtained even great affluence from his connection with some honest man, becomes an enemy of the latter if only he is reproached in words. An intelligent king should, guided by precedent, appoint servants, each fit for the
office assigned to him, and exercise proper supervision over them. Having first
ascertained their qualifications in respect of truthfulness and purity, general
disposition, knowledge of the scriptures, conduct, birth, self-restraint, compassion,
strength, energy, dignity, and forgiveness. A king should never take a minister without
first having examined him. A minister should be possessed of high birth and strength. Top <To top of this page Time Assails the Energy of
Righteousness Bhishma said: It is heard that Time assails the energy of Righteousness. That Time has come upon us. Hence, righteousness is afflicted. I should go to heaven for good, before unrighteousness assails the world and establishes itself here. [Note: The scriptures declare that Righteousness loses its strength as Time advances. In the Krita age, it exists in its entirety. In the Treta, it loses a quarter. In the Dwapar, another quarter is lost. In the Kali age, full three quarters are lost and only a quarter is all that remains.] Before the time comes when Brahmans, loudly uttering the Vedas, within the precincts of villages and inhabited places, cause the Sudras to hear them. Before men cease to regard the distinctions between the lower, the middle, and the higher classes,* I shall go to heaven for good. Before ignorance assails the world and envelopes all things in Darkness, before the time comes when the strong begin to lord it over the weak and treat them as slaves. *(The scholar and translator of the Mahabharata, Sri Kisri Mohan Ganguli comments: `The
Rishis think that the distinctions between the lower, the middling, and the
higher classes of society are eternal, and nothing can be a greater calamity than
the effacement of those distinctions. Equality of men, in their eyes, is an
unmitigated evil.') From Brahma-Sutras Sudras are not entitled to the study of the Vedas Brahma-Sutras 1-3-36:Because purificatory ceremonies are mentioned (in the case of the twice born) and their absence are declared (in the case of the Sudras). [Note: Purificatory ceremonies like Upanayana (Sacred Thread) etc. are declared by the scriptures to be a necessary condition of the study of all kinds of knowledge or Vidya; but these are meant only for the higher castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaisyas). Their absence in the case of the Sudras is repeatedly declared in the scriptures. "Sudras do not incur sin (by eating prohibited food), nor have they any purificatory rights " etc. (Manusmrti 10-12-6). Consequently they are not entitled to the study of the Vedas.] Braham-Sutras 1-3-37 [Note: That Sudras are not qualified is known also from the fact that great teachers like Gautama made sure before imparting Knowledge that disciples like Jabala Satyakama were not Sudras.] Brahma-Sutras 1-3-38 From Sri Ramacharitamanasa of Tulasidas In the Kali Yuga Sudras instruct the twice-born (Brahman, Kshatriya and Vaishya) Verses 97-98 __________________ From The Mahabharata Bhishma said: The Sudra has no competence for performing a sacrifice. FromThe Mahabharata Vyasa said: In the Kali Yuga, the duties of the respective order The Mahabharata Krishna Says: The following are the duties declared for a SUDRA from the olden times. A VAISYA should study and diligently earn and accumulate wealth by means of commerce, agriculture, and the tending of cattle. He should so act as to please the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas, be virtuous, do good works, and be a householder. A KSHATRIYA should protect the people in accordance with the injunctions of the law, diligently practise the virtue of charity, offer sacrifices, study the whole Veda, take a wife, and lead a virtuous householder's life. If he be possessed of a virtuous soul, and if he practises the holy virtues, he may easily attain the religion of the Supreme Being. A BRAHMAN should study (the Vedas), offer sacrifices, make charities, and sojourn to
the best of all holy places on the earth; he should teach, minister as a priest in
sacrifices offered by others worthy of such help, and accept gifts from persons who are
known. From The Mahabharata Parsara said: If the Brahmana, pressed for a livng, betakes himself to the duties of
either the Kshatriya or the Vaisya, he does not fall off from righteousness. When,
however, the Brahmana betakes himself to the duties of the lowest order, then does he
certainly fall off. When the Sudra is unable to obtain his living by service of the three
other orders, then trade, rearing of cattle, and the practice of the mechanical arts are
lawful for him to follow. Instructions Forbidden to These Addressing king Yudhishthira, Bhishma said: *(Note: A tumbler ( a glass for drinking water ); if this tumbler is full of dirt,
grease and other impurities, then it is an unfit receptacle for holding pure water.
The mind is the container and if it is filled with Tamasic qualities, then it is an unfit
receptacle for receiving pure spiritual knowledge.) Pledge further that you would protect Bhishma said: The son of Vena then, with joined hands, said unto those great Rishis: "I have attained an understanding that is very keen and that is observant of righteousness. Tell in detail what I shall do with it." Thus addressed, the gods that were present there, as also the Rishis, said unto him:
"Do fearlessly accomplish all those tasks in which righteousness even resides.
Disregarding what is dear and what not so, look upon all creatures with an equal eye. Cast
off at a distance lust and wrath and covetousness and honour, and, always observing the
dictates of righteousness, punish with your own hands the man, whoever he may be, that
deviates from the path of duty. Also swear that you would, in thought, word and deed,
always maintain the religion inculcated on earth by the Vedas. Do further swear that you
would fearlessly maintain the duties laid down in the Vedas with the aid of the science of
chastisement, and that you would never act with caprice. Know that Brahmanas are exempt
from chastisement, and pledge further that you would protect the world from an
intermixture of castes." Top <To top of this page The following text is reproduced from discussions on "Current Issues" Topic : Caste System Sanatan Veda is the knowledge eternal. These eternal principles are further enunciatedthrough the Bhagavad Gita which forms part of the Mahabharata. These principles being eternal remain unchanged in the past, in the present and in the future. One such eternal principle relates to the four orders of human beings, which is fully explained in the Mahabharata (Santi Parva- Section CLXXXVIII.) "The four orders of human beings" refers to the whole of mankind and is not confined to any one country, or any one race group. We usually associate 'the four orders of human beings' with India (where it is generally known as the caste system, often misunderstood, misused or abused). Consider for a moment an imaginary scenario where from the map of the world India is
made invisible. Now apply the principle of 'the four orders of human beings' to all the
countries in the world. Not one country will be found where this principle is not made
applicable. Who will do the cooking to feed this defence force? What about tilling the land to grow the food to feed this defence force, and who will wash the clothes? If during war situation the wounded have to be operated upon, who will teach how to perform surgery? The maintenance of general cleanliness, removal of garbage etc. will have to be done by whom? The young boys and girls will remain uneducated because the whole population is sitting pretty with a rifle in hand waiting for the enemy to show up. Who will run the schools? There are no industries, no labour force, no business community, because there are no 'four orders of human beings'. Without the division of labour, there is no human progress. Witness the crippling results of any general strike, by the workers of any vital industry, when such strike is sustained over a lengthy period. Such action can cripple any country. Let all the countries legislate that as from next month no human beings on this earth
will perform the task of labourers (claiming that it is beneath human dignity and
that all human beings are equal). What is stopping any country from enacting such
legislation? Now the big question is: who can decide who is to be the labourer and who is to be the professor to teach at the medical college? Who will decide that? The division of labour, which broadly falls into 'the four orders of human beings' is based upon "guna and karma" of each individual. The word 'guna' in Vedanta means Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas (prakriti). To say that we should abolish the four orders of human beings (the caste system) also amounts to saying that the authority of the scriptures is to be brushed aside and substituted by some modern day thinker who argues that "In this day and age" the eternal principles do not apply. Consider the following extracts from the Bhagavad Gita: Bhagavad Gita, Ch.4, Verse 13: the Lord says: Bhagavad Gita, Ch.18, verse 40 the Lord says: Gita Ch.18, verse.41: The eternal principles apply to all . One does not have to subscribe to a system of belief or carry the banner of any religion to include or exclude the application of eternal principles. A much simplified illustration may clarify the point. If I sustain a little cut on my finger, the natural principle of healing will apply and the cut will heal within a few days. There is no reason to believe that this healing principle did not apply to a man who lived one million years ago. There is no reason to believe that this healing principle will be denied to a man who will live in the future, one million years from now. The application of this healing principle is not dependent upon any system of belief or religious banners. Whether one approves of it or not, the principle of healing applies regardless. No one can tell when this healing principle began or when it will end. It is beginningless and endless and therefore it is known as the eternal principle. Such eternal principles were discovered or realised by the Rishis (seers) and in time this knowledge was made available in written form which is known as the Vedas. If we look at newly born human babies, we can see their physical features. Can we see in them the potential of the future Beethoven, Michelangelo, Einstein, a great saint or a common criminal? One baby may be endowed by nature with artistic abilities and another with musical talent, and yet another may be devoid of both these attributes. These are qualities born of nature. Human efforts can complement these qualities or attributes as when a teacher guides and inspires a pupil to achieve greater heights in a chosen field. Although the healing process is something nature has created, life saving procedures during major disasters like earthquakes or saving lives of car accident victims; these are human efforts that supplement nature's healing power. Without such life saving procedures many lives would be lost. In the field of science, use or abuse of nuclear capabilities can make or break mankind. Man is quite capable of using or abusing all those things that nature has created. Knowledge and wisdom should go together. Unless knowledge is accompanied by wisdom, there is no guarantee that it will not be used for evil. Knowledge is the means and wisdom should be the end. The natural laws are not abrogated just because men have abused them. To come back to the qualities born of nature. When those babies grow up, their careers
are distributed according to the qualities born of their own nature. The four orders of
human beings are based upon "qualities born of their own nature", and man has
misused and abused it. Our central point of discussion revolves around the principle of "The four orders of human beings". Is this principle universal? It would seem that the answer to this question is overshdowed and blurred by abuse and misuse of caste system in India. All the countries of the world have people engaged in diverse activities. The four orders broadly classify these activities into four categories applicable to all countries as
How do some of the people end up being labourers while others are engaged in activities
that are not classifiable as labourers? From The Bhagavad Gita Addressing Lord Krishna Arjuna said: 40. In the destruction of a family, the immemorial religious 41. By the prevalence of impiety, O Krishna, the women of the 42. Confusion of castes leads to hell the slayers of the family, for their forefathers fall, deprived of the offerings of rice-ball and water (libations). 43. By these evil deeds of the destroyers of the family, which cause confusion of castes, the eternal religious rites of the caste and the family are destroyed. 44. We have heard, O Janardana, that inevitable is the dwelling Brahmanas and Sudras Addressing a Gandharva (Kabandha resurrected as Gandharva) Sri Rama said: Listen, O Gandharva, to what I tell you: I cannot tolerate an enemy of the Brahamanas (Brahmins). He who without guile in thought, word and deed does service to the Brahmanas (the very gods on earth), wins over Brahma, Siva, Myself and all other divinities. A Brahmana, even though he curses you, beats you or speaks harsh words to you, is still
worthy of adoration: so declare the saints. A Brahmana must be respected, though lacking
in amiability and virtue; not so a Sudra, though possessing a host of virtues and rich in
knowledge. __________________ The Four Varnas By R.R.Diwakar Reproduced from our page Stories & Episodes (30) [The fourfold division of Hindu society into Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra seems to be quite ancient. The Rg Veda mentions the division and says that these emerged from the different parts of the body of the Virata Purusha or the primeval mighty being. It is clear that originally the division was functional and not hereditary. Here is an explanation of that system given in an allegorical manner. It is said here that society is complete and perfect on account of the existence of all these four divisions but much more so on account of the law which binds all and which all ought to obey.] The Creator Prajapati first created the god Brahma. He represented Intelligence. But the Creator was not satisfied with that only. He felt that he should create other gods also if creation were to be a complete manifestation of the various powers in him. He created the Kshatriya gods, Indra, Varuna, Soma, Rudra, Parjanya, Yama and others. They were the embodiments of power, valour, brilliance, fearlessness, the tendency to govern, and such other qualities. But the Creator was not satisfied even with these new gods. He saw that there was still something wanting in creation. So he created the Vaisya gods, the eight Vasus, Aditya, the Maruts and so on. But then he saw that the society of gods he wanted to evolve was not yet complete. So he added Pusan to the creation. He represents the Sudra principle, namely, manual labour and service. Even this did not satisfy the Creator. He therefore created Dharma or the Law that binds all, that keeps all in their own places and strengthens all who act according to it. Those who do not follow the Law fall away, however strong they might be. Those who follow the law are stronger than the strongest because they adhere to the law. He who speaks the law speaks the truth. He, who speaks the truth, speaks the law. Truth and the Law are one. Corresponding to this creation of his in the heavens, Prajapati created human society also on the same pattern and laid down the law for all the four Varnas. The law lays down the functions of the four pillars of the social system. Those who follow the law and perform their functions accordingly have nothing to fear. They are stronger than the strongest and they are bound to be happier than the happiest. Intelligence, sacrifice, disinterested service are the characteristics of the Brahmins. Valour, chivalry, forgiveness, ability to rule are the characteristics of the Kshatriyas. Trade, co-operation, agriculture and distribution of material wealth are the characteristics of the Vaisyas. Ungrudging manual labour and service are the characteristics of the Sudras. To choose our functions according to our powers and to attune our powers to the functions that we take up, is the only way to follow the Law and maintain social harmony. ================ Top <To top of this page
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