{"id":35392,"date":"2017-02-11T14:17:41","date_gmt":"2017-02-11T08:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/globalpress.hinduismnow.org\/?p=35392"},"modified":"2017-02-11T14:17:41","modified_gmt":"2017-02-11T08:47:41","slug":"varna-journey-root","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/?p=35392","title":{"rendered":"Varn\u0101 – A Journey to its root"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Guest Author Sachitananda\u00a0<\/strong>
\nWe see divisions all around us – in Nature, in society, within government, within our own body. Even an ant or honeybee colony seems to have division of labor. Interestingly even in socio-economically evolved west we see such patterns are strong and even run in families. We see doctors marrying doctors, engineers run in families, needless to say software consultants marrying another one. A simple insight into William Sears1<\/sup>\u00a0family of doctors is sufficient to prove that human beings build their success based on their family roots. Even in US, though there may be not many recognizable patterns, serving armed forces usually runs in the family for many.
\nSo if it is natural for humans to gravitate to comfortable patterns, then why does casteism in India has become a monster.\u00a0In fact, casteism is not Varnashrama<\/strong>. We saw in\u00a0Fourfold Hinduism, that four Varnas exist. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. In this article, we will definitely stay away from the socio-econo-political aspects of Varnas, in their current form of Casteism. We are going to challenge the traditional thought of Varna as a birth-right. Our gaze is going to be centered more on the spiritual angle. This will enable us to get rid of some of the common misconceptions, some deliberately mischievously propagated by West. Many well-funded proselytizing agencies from West are deepening the fractures invented by the British legacy we have inherited.
\nMahatma Gandhi was one of the strongest champions of Varnashrama2<\/sup>.
\nI believe that every man is born in the world with certain natural tendencies. Every person is born with certain natural tendencies. Every person is born with certain definite limitations which he cannot overcome. From a careful observation of those limitations the law of Varna was deduced. It establishes certain spheres of action for certain people with certain tendencies. This avoided all unworthy competition. Whilst recognizing limitations the law of Varna admitted of no distinctions of high and low; on the one hand it guaranteed to each the fruits of his labours, and on the other it prevented him from pressing upon his neighbours reputed. But my conviction is that an ideal social order will only be evolved when the implication of this law are fully understood and given effect to.<\/em>
\nThe Modern review, Oct\u201935, p.413
\nVarnashrama Dharma defines man\u2019s mission on this earth. He is not born day after day to explore avenues for amassing riches and to explore different means of livelihood; on the contrary man is born in order that he may utilize every atom of his energy for his purpose of knowing his Maker. It restricts him, therefore, for the purpose of holding body and soul together, to the occupation of his forefathers. That and nothing more or nothing less is Varnashrama Dharma.<\/em>
\nYoung India, 27-10-\u201827
\nWe have to accept the saddest fact. If one were to go merely by the number of critics quoting and studying our scriptures and the number of hindus who study to understand and practice, we are far outnumbered. A practicing Muslim or Christian, follows the recommended scriptures. But as Hindus, we give numerous excuses that even outnumbers the wonderful scriptures we have. With that melancholic thought, let me urge the practitioners to dust off and pick a scripture, not to understand Hinduism, but themselves through the vehicle called Sanatana Dharma, Hinduism.
\nAt the outset let me clarify that the two words\u00a0Jaati<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Varna<\/strong>, both used to indicate Caste, have different meanings. Interestingly the currently followed usage of Caste is never even sanctioned. Jaati comes from Janam, birth. Varna has numerous meanings like color, but its root word means to choose.
\nCritics often quoting our scriptures, selectively, which we never open, is at the root cause of misinterpretations. Both critics and defenders quote this sloka in their favor.
\n\u091a\u093e\u0924\u0941\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0930\u094d\u0923\u094d\u092f\u0902\u00a0\u092e\u092f\u093e\u00a0\u0938\u0943\u0937\u094d\u091f\u0902\u00a0\u0917\u0941\u0923\u0915\u0930\u094d\u092e\u0935\u093f\u092d\u093e\u0917\u0936: |
\n\u0924\u0938\u094d\u092f\u00a0\u0915\u0930\u094d\u0924\u093e\u0930\u092e\u092a\u093f\u00a0\u092e\u093e\u0902\u00a0\u0935\u093f\u0926\u094d\u0927\u094d\u092f\u0915\u0930\u094d\u0924\u093e\u0930\u092e\u0935\u094d\u092f\u092f\u092e\u094d\u00a0||<\/strong>
\nch\u0101tur-var\u1e47ya\u1e41\u00a0may\u0101s\u1e5bi\u1e63h\u1e6da\u1e41\u00a0gu\u1e47a-karma-vibh\u0101ga\u015bha\u1e25
\ntasyakart\u0101ramapim\u0101\u1e41\u00a0viddhyakart\u0101ramavyayam<\/em>\u00a0(Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 13)<\/em>
\nAccording to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.<\/em>
\nSince Krishna, himself, confessed that Varnas as His creation, critics go salivating that Caste problem stems from Krishna or GodHead itself. What a ridiculous conclusion. If they patiently read the second part of the same verse they often quote, HE clearly declares that HE is a non-doer.
\nN\u0101dattekasyacitp\u0101pa\u1e41nacaivasuk\u1e5bta\u1e41vibhu\u1e25 (5.15): Neither is God responsible for the good that we do, nor is He responsible for the bad that we do. We are automatically rewarded or punished by a \u2018computer system\u2019 which He has set up in the form of these cosmic forces; and as the law automatically acts, our actions automatically act in the form of pleasure and pain. \u2013 Swami Krishnananda
\nIf critics are able to quote and hold on to one verse wrongly for their argument, will they be charitable enough to think the same about the other verses that share more insights? There are numerous internal cross-references within Bhagavad Gita that one needs to study to have a better insight.
\nLet us go back to that sloka again. Krishna says\u00a0Guna-Karma Vibhagashah<\/strong>. According to the Gunas and Karmas, divisions happen. Hindus believe that birth is a consequence of Karmas (past). \u00a0There are Three Gunas in nature.\u00a0Sattva<\/strong>(Purity, Balancing),\u00a0Rajasic<\/strong>(Dynamic, Activity) and\u00a0Tamasic<\/strong>(Inertia, Darkness). Modern science at this stage is able to appreciate Statics and Kinetics, but yet to understand or include the Balancing phenomenon.
\nGunas are dynamic and will vary from person to person and within the same person with time. Very easy to understand that as a child one may be very active, but with age, they may tend to get calmer or even inert. Early wakers may be active as they rise from bed but sleepy early night, but night owls love late nights, but are sleepy early morning. Just to indicate that. (We will see in later article more in depth about Gunas.) For now it is suffice to reckon that the entire universe is an admixture of the three Gunas.
\nNo one will ever have 100% of one Guna. Though the Guna composition is always in a flux, there is a predominant Guna that characterizes each individual. Through Purushartha, self-exertion, one can modify this pattern. The great Sages saw that humans tend to follow some basic patterns. They found that some of us have Sattva as the dominant factor, followed by Rajas and little Tamas<\/strong>. Needless to say these are people who are very spiritual, intellectual and active people in society. They were called\u00a0Brahmanas<\/strong>. The best example that comes to my mind is late Dr. A.P.J. Kalam. In\u00a0Kshatriyas<\/strong>, we find\u00a0Rajas as the dominant factor, followed by Sattva and little Tamas.<\/strong>\u00a0 Needless to say that great politicians of our times like Narendra Modi, Indira Gandhi come to our mind, irrespective of their policy outlook. Their focus need not be warfare. One can see this spirit through even in sports like Sachin Tendulkar or M.S.Dhoni. The fighting spirit is predominantly Kshatriya. We see that many are motivated by money. Their relationship with the world is through the world of finance. Needless to state\u00a0Vaishyas<\/strong>\u00a0have their\u00a0dominant Rajas backed by Tamas and little Sattva<\/strong>. Be it Bill Gates or the roadside Kirana owner, one can easily match this patterns. The bulk of the society will be dominated by\u00a0Sudras, their mindset dominated by Tamas, supported by Rajas and where Sattva doesn’t play major role.<\/strong>\u00a0In society, the majority of the folks are employees. They want 9-5 jobs, content with pension. They do not want risks like Vaishya. Nor do they want to stand up for something right and go after it with a winning attitude. Needless to mention, their mind doesn’t dwell on subtle aspects of spirituality.
\nWe already observed in\u00a0Fourfold Hinduism, the four Purusharthas,\u00a0Dharma-Artha-Kama-Moksha<\/strong>, the four ways humans exert themselves, namely, Social-Financial-Psychological-Spiritual. (Hope to expand on this in later article). These are not like steps or levels that one peels like layers of onion. These are all the dimensions one has to be observant simultaneously. The understanding is on the foundation of Dharma, earn Artha (all sorts of wealth, not just money), enjoy without sacrificing the bounds of Dharma, Kama (not merely carnal pleasures, as most commonly misinterpreted) and raise oneself in Consciousness, Moksha.
\nDespite the emphasis that all the four, in an orderly society, people predominantly tend to gravitate towards one major Purushartha. In a typical society, most of the people are just living by the laws of the land, minding their own job, centered around their families or values they believe in. The maximum most people follow any law is to not\u00a0to be in violation. This\u00a0level of thought process is\u00a0pain avoidance. Shudra, by\u00a0one definition, means pain avoidance.<\/strong>
\njanmanajayateshudrahsamskarairdvijauchyate<\/strong>\u00a0– (Mahabharata)
\n
\nAll are born Shudras, it is only through certain rites or inner training that one becomes a Dwija or twice-born.\u00a0(Vaishyas, Kshatriyas and Brahmanas are referred as Dwijas or Twice born, as they have risen from a animal-man mindset to start moving higher. Why animal man, because at this level the higher\u00a0 faculties or aspirations are not at play)<\/em>
\nBy this internal cross-reference in Mahabharata, it is very clear that, unless one makes a conscious effort to raise higher inwards, one may be revolving around the conditions in which one is born. They may acquire more material wealth, but their mindset may not be evolved. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is sufficient proof that even scientific outlook concurs with this eastern observation.
\nSo we can safely conclude that a good man who merely observes the social laws and believes in moral codes due to the pressures of the society is a Shudra.<\/strong>\u00a0We now look at the person who is oriented towards the materialistic aspects of life. This need not be only money, but also expressions like fashion, collecting the trinkets of pleasure. These folks are also, not in violation of Dharma. We will continue to use the word as Social Order, for this article. They need not be only businessmen, but by our standards, one whose action is always centered around wealth,\u00a0Artha<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0Vaishyas.\u00a0<\/strong>
\nThere are amongst others who are power centric. They want to influence. In a positive way, it is called leadership and in a negative connotation, world over it is called politicians. Of course, all military will have to be part of this definition. There is an immense psychological idea to dominate, overpower, conquer, stand tall. Again, if we get over the twisted highly limited definition of the word,\u00a0Kama<\/strong>. Kama is desire, which is again a psychological pressure in the Self to exert in a certain direction. This must not be misconstrued that the other varnas do not have desires. Similarly it doesn’t mean non vaishyas never touch money or some silly notion.\u00a0Kshatriyas<\/strong>\u00a0need not be only in the power. We see lots of media hungry NGOs who will never get elected but busy influencing. This is a good example that we must understand the varna concept with a subtle alert mind.
\nBrahmanas<\/strong>, by that definition, are ones who are totally immersed in either intellectual or spiritual excellence. So this will cover Einstein and also all the great swamijis we know of. Again, as we refine our mind in a higher plane, the varna also changes.
\nIs there any definitive proof in our scriptures\u00a0or this is a made up account?\u00a0In VishnuSahasaranamaStotram portion that is found in Mahabharata, sung by Bhishma in front of Krishna, in his death bed, he provides a definitive clue.<\/strong>
\n\u0935\u0947\u0926\u093e\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0917\u094b\u092c\u094d\u0930\u0939\u094d\u092e\u0923\u0903\u0938\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0924\u094d\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0924\u094d\u0930\u093f\u092f\u094b\u0935\u093f\u091c\u092f\u0940\u092d\u0935\u0947\u0924\u094d |<\/strong>
\n\u0935\u0948\u0936\u094d\u092f\u094b\u0927\u0928\u0938\u0902\u0930\u094d\u0926\u094d\u0927\u0903\u0938\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0924\u094d\u0936\u0941\u0926\u094d\u0930\u0938\u0941\u0916\u092e\u0935\u093e\u092a\u094d\u0928\u0941\u092f\u093e\u0924 ||<\/strong>
\nved\u0101ntag\u014dbr\u0101hma\u1e47a\u1e25sy\u0101tk\u1e63atriy\u014dvijay\u012bbhavet |<\/em>
\nvai\u015by\u014ddhanasam\u1e5bddha\u1e25sy\u0101t\u015b\u016bdrassukhamav\u0101pnuy\u0101t ||<\/em>
\nThe Brahmin will get knowledge, the Kshatriya will get victory.The Vaisya will get wealth, the Shudra will get pleasures.<\/strong>
\nBy the above account, it is clear that based on the Gunas and Karmas, one’s Varna will be defined. But as science today tells us that our birth environment plays a critical role throughout our life, though we retain the power to break that shackle all the time. Again some scriptural reference can comfort us here.
\n\u090f\u0915\u0935\u0930\u094d\u0923\u0902\u0907\u0926\u0902\u092a\u0942\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0935\u093f\u0936\u094d\u0935\u0902\u0906\u0938\u0940\u0926\u092f\u0941\u0927\u093f\u0937\u094d\u091f\u093f\u0930\u00a0\u0915\u0930\u094d\u092e\u0915\u094d\u0930\u093f\u092f\u0935\u093f\u0936\u0947\u0938\u0947\u0928\u00a0\u091a\u0924\u0941\u0930\u094d\u0935\u0930\u094d\u0923\u094d\u092f\u093e\u092e\u092a\u094d\u0930\u0924\u093f\u0937\u094d\u0920\u093f\u0924\u092e<\/strong>
\nekavarnamidampurvamvishvamAsidyudhisthira; karmakriyAvishesenachAturvarnyampratisthitam\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(Mahabharata)<\/em>
\nThe whole world was of one class, and the four groups became established on account of their\u00a0conduct.<\/em><\/strong>
\nThough this argument sounds nice, is there proof that such an interpretation was ever followed during the Vedic times.\u00a0Again, we have to go back to the scriptures to validate this article. We see many accounts\u00a0that will remove the faintest doubt from any skeptic, as long as they are true to the research. A few are listed below:<\/p>\n