Current General Studies Magazine (December 2014)

General Studies - I: Art and Culture Based Article (Varna System in Hindu Religion)

The Hindus have Varna System. It is not at all caste-equivalent. It simply indicates a social division based on Gunas. There exists all over the world one sort of division or the other in a society, which is so inevitable for social growth and prosperity. Each individual is possessed of a particular ability by nature. One may well perform a physical labour, another may be more of a thinker and some may be artistic, some inclined to technology, music, Medicine, trade, industry or any other material or spiritual activity. The Lord speaking on action and inaction in Geeta (IV-13) says, ‘the four Varnas have been created by Him according to differentiation of Gunas and Karmas.’ These Varnas are 1-Brahman; 2-Kshatriya; 3-Vaishya; and 4-Sudra.

Varna means different shades of texture or colour. They represent mental temper. There are three Gunas— Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Sattva is white, Rajas red and Tamas black. These in combination of various proportions constitute the group or class of people all over the world with temperamental differences.

The above classification is based on this assumption. In continuation, Veda Vyasa says in the same couplet, ‘by the differentiation of the mental quality and physical action of the people.’ It is clear that the type of ones action, the quality of ego, the colour of knowledge, the texture of ones understanding, the temper of fortitude and the brilliance of ones happiness defines ones Varna. Not by birth a man becomes Brahman but by cultivating noble thoughts and good intentions of service alone, one can ever aspire to Brahman hood.

The Brahman is generally Sattvik. Sama and Dama are his valuable assets. He is serene and self-controlled and is possessed of the quality of austerity. (Tapas) He has purity, uprightness and forbearance. He has a will to acquire knowledge (Gyan), Vigyan (Wisdom) and faith.

The Kshatriya is a warrior class, powerful of physique and might. They are possessed of more of Rajas Guna with base of Sattva. They have a duty to protect the Dharma and the people. They are bold, alert and full of fortitude, generosity, discipline and modesty along with masterly behaviour mingled with Ishvar Bhava (Love of God).

The Vaishya class is a trader class and prefers business of all kinds. It is possessed of Raj Guna mixed with Tamas. They deal with wealth and gold and strive for material prosperity of the self as well as of the people in general. The Sudras are working class people, artisans and craftsmen. They are physically strong and hard working. They are possessed of Tamas with a base of Rajas. Really speaking, Sudra class is indispensable to society as they are. like a spiral chord on which rests the social structure.

Thus it is clear that the whole Varna System stood on the basis of Gunas and karmas of the individual. It has nothing to do with birth. To quote Mahabharata, the serpent god asked Yudhisthir to tell him the virtues of the caste. He says that those Brahmans who were fond of personal pleasures, prone to violence, had forsaken their duties and were red limbo, fell into the category of Kshatriya. Those Brahmans who derived their livelihood from kine, who were yellow and sub-divided by agriculture and who neglected to practice their duties, fell into the category of Vaishyas. Those Brahmans who were addicted to mischief and falsehood and were covetous, lived by all kinds of works and fell from purity and were black went to the condition of Sudra. As a conclusion, the serpent god says that the man in which the marks of a Sudra are not found is no Sudra, whereas while a Brahman who acts so is not a Brahman and may be called a Sudra. It is clear that the world being the projection of Brahma is therefore Brahma-roopa and these castes came up later as a creation of man in society. Therefore it stands for modification and change according to times.

Questions;-

1. What does Varna means? What does it indicates?

2. Varna System stood on the basis of Gunas and karmas of the individual, elaborate.

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