Varnas & the caste system
Hindu society was traditionally divided into four classes, called varnas within what is commonly called the caste system. What varna a person was in was based on occupation —
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The Brāhman (also anglicised as Brahmins): teachers and priests;
The Kshatriyas: warriors, kings and administrators;
The Vaishyas: farmers, merchants, herdsmen and businessmen; and
The Shūdras: servants and labourers.
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Each of these classes was called a varna, and the system was called Varna Vyavasthā.
Originally every caste was given equal importance. Later, as time passed, vested interests crept in. Caste, originally determined by the qualities and aptitudes of the individual, was made hereditary by self-interested people in positions of power and authority. As a result, some castes were made superior or "higher" and others inferior or "lower."
The caste system is likened to the class system, based on wealth, that is found in Europe. The caste system gradually expanded to include several sub-castes (jati), along with a class of outcastes (now known as Dalits) and the practice of social discrimination of the Shūdra and Dalit classes.
Today it is often debated whether the caste system is an integral part of the Hindu religion sanctioned by the scriptures or is simply an outdated social custom.
The caste system is observed today especially among rural and uneducated Hindus; it is not observed as much in large cities, and the government of India has passed several laws attempting to remedy the problem of caste discrimination.
The most ancient scriptures--the Shruti texts, or Vedas--place very little importance on the caste system, mentioning caste only rarely and in a cursory manner.
Later scriptures, however, such as the Bhagavad Gītā (4.13) state that the four varna divisions are created by God, and the Manusmuiti categorizes the different castes.
However, at the same time, the Gītā says that one's varna is to be understood from one's personal qualities and one's work, not one's birth.
A hymn from the Rig Veda seems to indicate that one's caste is not necessarily determined by that of one's family:
"I am a bard, my father is a physician, my mother's job is to grind the corn."
Thus, while the scriptures contain some passages that can be interpreted to sanction the caste system, they also contain indications that the caste system as it exists today is not sanctioned, and both sides in the debate are able to find scriptural support for their views.
Many social reformers, including Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), have criticized the problems caused by the degenerated caste system.
The saint and religious teacher Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) taught that
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"lovers of God do not belong to any caste . . . . A brahmin without this love is no longer a brahmin. And a pariah with the love of God is no longer a pariah. Through bhakti (devotion to God) an untouchable becomes pure and elevated."
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