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Today‟s modern Caste-System is a mutated form of the Genuine, Vedic Varashrama System,
where it was solely based on one's qualities and choices made in a lifetime. Vedic Varna
System was solely a hierarchy based upon merit to classify people based on their qualities
and assign them particular roles for better functioning of society.
Here, we shall discuss the difference between the Modern Caste System and The Authentic
Varnashram System. From the very meaning of both the words - Caste/जाती and Varna/वर्ण.
Here we will be explaining the meaning of these words from an ancient Sanskrit thesaurus Amarkosha, written by a great Scholar - Amarasimha, during the period of Adiguru
Shankaracharya. The book is one of the basic and compulsory study material for all Sanskrit
students all around the world.
“Caste” - The root of caste is the Latin castus, which means "chaste" or "pure, separated."
The word arrived in English through the Portuguese casta, which means "race" or "lineage,"
and was first used in the 1700s in reference to Hinduism's system of social stratification.
“जाती” - According to Amarkosha, the dictionary meaning of word Jati/जाती is species.
Snake is a Jati - सर्ण जाती, Apes is Jati - वानर जाती, and Human is a Jati - मानव जाती.
With gurukuls being destroyed and Sanskrit, grammar, language education is totally rare. We
have been misusing and misplacing the word for racial segregation. The word Varna is
always used to describe PEOPLE/OBJECTS/ENTITIES having common guna/characters.
Varna/वर्ण - The Three dictionary meanings of Varna
(1). Colour - Example; कृष्र्ा - Black, सत, श्वेत - White
(2). Mentioning - ककसी चीज का वर्णन करना
(3). Screening/Selecting Based Upon qualities - Which is later divided into four SubDivision --(i).Brahmin/ब्राह्मर् - ब्राह्मर्:- ब्रह्म जानातत - Which means a person who has the
knowledge (जानातत) Of Lord (ब्रह्म)
--(ii). Kshatriya - क्षत त्रायत इतत क्षत्र: तस्य अर्त्यं क्षत्रत्रय: - Which means a person who
defends.
--(iii). Vaishya - ववशन्तत, ववश प्रवेशने- Which means a person who enters(प्रवेशन्तत) into trade
(ववश).
--(iv). Shudra - शोचतत शद्र
ू : शच
ु शोके - Which means a person who does the hard laborious
work. The word शच
ु indicates hardship.
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Nowhere there is a mention of the word - जतम or Birth anywhere around Varna. Hence,
there is absolutely no question of Caste and Varna being the same thing.
Other Scriptures support the same idea of a Merit-Based Hierarchical System Bhagavad-Gita -
चातुवर्ण्
ण यं मया सष्ृ टं गुर्कमणववभागशः ।
तस्य कताणरमवर् मां ववद्ध्यकताणरमव्ययम ् ॥ (गीता.4.13)
“गर्
ु कमणववभागशः - (गर्
ु + कमण) NOT (जतम)”
Manusmriti -
“शद्र
ू ो बा्रह्मर्तामेतत ब्राह्मर्श्चेतत शद्र
ू ताम ्।
क्षत्रत्रयाज्जात्मेवततु ववद्धयाद्ध वैश्यात्तथैव च।।
“A Person born in a Shudra family can attain Brahminhood through qualities. Similarly, a
Brahmin can fall down to the level of Shudra and so on.”
Varna is a merit-based Social Hierarchy. But, Caste is an unjust Modern concept of Birth
Based Racial Segregation.
There have been uncountable incidents of great personalities having different Varnas, within
one family. Many examples of Varna Parivartan (1). Atreya Rishi was a Das Putra, but rose the highest position of Brahmin and wrote Aitrey
Upanishad.
(2). Ailush Rishi was a Das Putra, who researched Rig Ved and was invited to accept the
Position of Acharya by Great Rishis of his time.
(3). Satyakam Jabala, born to a Prostitute rose the level of a Brahmin.
(4). Trishanku was a Kshatriya King but turned into a Rakshas by his qualities.
(5). Vishwamitra's both sons accepted Shudra Varna, Vishwamitra himself was Khastriya but
attained Brahminhood.
(6). Vidur, A Dasi Putra, attained Brahminhood and was assigned a very important position
of Rajya Mahamantri.
Even today, many different so-called Upper And Lower Castes have similar gotras. Thus,
proving we share the same lineage, same ancestors. But, during the past 2000 years of chaos.
Our traditions, principles and ideas were corrupted. Leading us towards a stupid, illogical
Birth Based Caste system.
A failed, chaotic system which gave us worthless, illiterate birth based brahmins. Who failed
to educate and serve the society in the right manner. A damning system providing weak,
spineless, debauch rulers. Who compromised with the national security and lead us to
damnation. Lazy, unskilled workers who failed to maintain and preserve the industries.
Let's get back to our Vedic Roots and throw out this birth based Caste System. It has no
place in Vedas, no place in any ethical society.
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Q. What is the meaning of the term „caste‟? From where does it come?
�The term caste is not originally an Indian word, though it is now widely used, both in
English and in Indian languages. It is derived from the Portuguese „casta‟ meaning "race,
lineage, and breed" and was first used in the 1700s in reference to Hinduism's system of
social stratification.
The current caste system in India is a complete corruption of the Vedic class system, because
it's based on birth (racism) and not based on behavior and qualities developed.
�Actually, the Caste system (Racism) and Slavery system comes from Christianity.
The following verses from the Bible clearly shows about this.
"Slaves, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and
trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;" --- (Bible, Ephesians 6:5, KJV)
“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master.” --- (Matthew 10:24)
“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” --- (Ephesians 5:22)
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are
watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.” --- (Colossians 3:22)
“All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor,
so that God's name and our teaching will not be discredited.” --- (1 Timothy 6:1)
“Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not
argumentative” --- (Titus 2:9)
“Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good
and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.” --- (1 Peter 2:18)
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Q. What is the meaning of the terms „Varna‟ and „Jati‟? What are the Four Varnas?
�„Varna‟ and „Jati‟ are two different words. Varna is according to the one‟s karma
(occupation) and guna (characteristics/qualities). And in other hand, Jati is according to
one‟s janma (birth). According to Amarkosha, the dictionary meaning of word Jati/जाती is
species. Snake is a Jati - सर्ण जाती, Apes is Jati - वानर जाती, and Human is a Jati - मानव
जाती.
�„Varna‟ literally means type, order, class and was a framework for grouping people into
classes according to their activities or characteristics/qualities. 'Class' means it can change
based on how a person develops his/her qualities. The class of a person can change from
higher to lower or from lower to higher. Varna is not the color of skin, but the color of one‟s
character and quality. The word Varna is always used to describe
PEOPLE/OBJECTS/ENTITIES having common guna/characters.
�There are four Varnas. They are as follows :
�i) Brahmana :
samo damas tapah saucam
ksantir arjavam eva ca
jnanam vijnanam astikyam
brahma-karma svabhava-jam
“Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge,
and religiousness--these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work.” --- (Lord
Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.42)
Brahmanas - Those who possess the above qualities should be the Brahmanas, teachers and
advisors to society.
�ii) Kshatriya :
sauryam tejo dhrtir daksyam
yuddhe capy apalayanam
danam isvara-bhavas ca
ksatram karma svabhava-jam
“Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity, and
leadership are the qualities of work for the ksatriyas.” --- (Lord Krishna, BhagavadGita 18.43)
Ksatriyas - Those who possess the above qualities should be the Ksatriyas, military
personnel and administrators in society.
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�iii) Vaisya :
krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam
vaisya-karma svabhava-jam
“Farming, cow protection and business are the qualities of work for the vaisyas.” --(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.44)
Vaisyas - Those who posses good trading and farming skills should be the traders (business
owners), farmers, and cow protectors.
�iv) Shudra :
paricaryatmakam karma
sudrasyapi svabhava-jam
“For the sudras there is labor and service to others.” --- (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita
18.44)
Sudras - Those who don't posses the qualities of the above three classes should be the
general workers and assistants.
We all work. At work we have a boss. Your boss is higher than you and you are lower than
your boss. Does this mean that your company is bad for making you lower than your boss?
No. You are lower than your boss, because your boss deserves to be higher than you. He is
better qualified and experienced and thus he deserves to be higher than you. You are less
qualified and experienced and thus you deserve to be lower than your boss.
The Vedic class system is exactly like the above example, which is defined in the BhagavadGita as follows:
brahmana-ksatriya-visam
sudranam ca parantapa
karmani pravibhaktani
svabhava-prabhavair gunaih
“Brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras are DISTINGUISHED BY THEIR
QUALITIES OF WORK, O chastiser of the enemy, in accordance with the modes of
nature.” --- (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.41)
catur-varnyam maya srstam
guna-karma-vibhagasah
“According to the three modes of material nature and the WORK ASSOCIATE WITH
THEM, the four divisions of human society are created by Me.” --- (Lord Krishna,
Bhagavad-Gita 4.13)
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“According to THEIR NATURE AND QUALITIES, there are prescribed duties for
brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras.” --- (Bhavishya Purana, 42.24)
Two births were considered for a person in Vedic period : first birth, when he was born to his
parents. It was after first birth that Jat is determined. And second birth is when he completed
his education with due thoroughness. It was after second birth that the Varn of person was
determined.
The Rig Veda (10.90.12) compares society to the human body. The four classes of people in
society are like the four parts of the body. The head is represented by the Brahmins, the
hands represent the Ksatriyas, the belly represents the Vaisyas, and the legs represent the
Sudras. The body as a whole is completely useless without all four parts functioning
properly. In a similar way, every society/nation needs all four classes of men to function
properly.
Every person needs a good head, good belly, good hands, and good legs to function properly.
In a similar way, every society or nation needs all four classes of men to function properly.
When there is an in balance, the society/nation suffers. This is a fact as most nations today
are suffering with corruption, violence, poverty, or wars. This is because unqualified
personnel are doing the functions which require suitably qualified personnel, the result is
chaos. Just like in a corporation, if unqualified personnel are placed in roles which require
suitable qualified personnel, the whole corporation suffers with losses and eventually closes
down.
**Ancient Bharata** :
In ancient times, Hindus followed the Varna class/social order system to keep balance the
society. They never gave much importance to the Jat system.
One's place in the Varna system is determined by one's qualities and work (guṇa-karma).
Two births were considered for a person in Vedic period : first birth, when he was born to his
parents. It was after first birth that Jat is determined. And second birth is when he completed
his education with due thoroughness. It was after second birth that the Varna of person was
determined.
So, the Varn of a person was decided after completion of his education.
And, even, one who is twice-born and has thoroughly studied the Vedas, along with its six
branches, cannot claim to be a purified soul if he does not observe the codes of good
conduct. It is the occupational duty of one who is twice-born to study the Vedas, and this is
one of the symptoms of a genuine Brahmana. If a person does not perform his prescribed
duties after studying the four Vedas, he is considered as Shudra.
The following text from Manu Smriti makes it even clearer.
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�The verses from Manu Smriti which says that Varna is based on qualification not on
the basis of Birth.
�Manu-Smriti 2/148:
“But that birth which a teacher acquainted with Vedas entire, in accordance with the law,
procures for him (the student) through the Savitr (Sun), is real and exempt from his birth, age
or death.”
�Manu-Smriti 2/146:
“Between him to whom one is physically born and him who gives (the knowledge of) the
Vedas, the giver of the Veda is the more venerable father; for birth through arising in the
knowledge of the Veda (ensures) eternal (reward) both in this (life) and that (afterlife).”
�A person who remained uneducated and devoid of the knowledge of Vedas was
considered a Shudra.
That is, the Shudra varn was not based on birth but on merit.
�Manu-Smriti 10/4:
“Brahmana, Kshatriya and the Vaisya Varna are twice-born (educated) but the fourth, the
Shudra, has one birth only; there is no fifth (class).”
�Manu-Smriti 2/172:
“He who has not been initiated with teaching of the Vedas is like a Shudra.”
�The Vedic scripture also says that not to insult a person of lower Varna.
�Manu-Smriti 4/141:
“Let him not insult those who have redundant limbs or are deficient in limbs, nor those
destitute of knowledge, nor very aged men, nor those who have no beauty or wealth, nor
those who are of low varna.”
�In the Vedic period, A SHUDRA ATTAINS THE RANK OF A HIGHER VARNA
(BRAHMANA, KSHATRIYA or VAISYA) BASED ON HIS QUALITIES. AND A
BRAHMANA ALSO SINKS TO THE LEVEL OF A SHUDRA BASED ON HIS
QUALITIES.
�Manu-Smriti 10/65 :
“(Thus) a Shudra attains the rank of a Brahmana, and (in a similar manner) a Brahmana sinks
to the level of a Shudra; and know that it is the same with the offspring of a Kshatriya or of a
Vaisya.”
�Manu-Smriti 9/335 :
“(A Shudra who is) pure, accompanies his betters and is gentle in his speech, free from pride,
and always seeks a refuge with Brahmanas, attains a higher Varna (Brahmana, Kshatriya or
Vaisya) based on his qualities.”
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�Manu-Smriti 4/245:
“A Brahmana who always connects himself with the most excellent (ones), and shuns all
inferior ones, (himself) becomes most distinguished; by an opposite conduct he becomes a
Shudra.”
�Manu-Smriti 2/126:
“A Brahmana who does not know the form of returning a salutation, they must not be saluted
by a learned man; they must be considered as a Shudra.”
�The Vedic texts NEITHER MENTION THE CONCEPT OF UNTOUCHABLE
PEOPLE NOR ANY PRACTICE OF UNTOUCHABILITY. The rituals in the Vedas
ask the noble or king to eat with the commoner from the same vessel. Householders are
advised to dine after sudras or the servants.
�Manu-Smriti 3/116:
“After the Brahmanas, the kinsmen, and the servants have dined, the householder and his
wife may afterwards eat of what remains.”
* Modern India * :
In modern India, the term „caste‟ is mostly used for Jat (determined by birth). The term, caste
was used by the British who ruled India until 1947. The British who wanted to rule India
efficiently made lists of Indian communities. They used two terms to describe Indian
communities. Castes and Tribes. Tribes were those communities who lived deep in jungles,
forests and mountains far away from the main population and also communities who were
hard to be defined as castes for example communities who made a living from stealing or
robbery. These lists, which the British made, were used later on by the Indian governments
to create lists of communities who were entitled for positive discrimination. Therefore, the
caste system was created by the invaders during their rule in India. The caste system that
created by invaders was more equal to Jati system than the Varna system. In colonial era,
most Hindus were misled by the British in the name of caste. The caste system is created by
invaders, their goal is to divide, to misled, convert and rule over another.
And even today, most Hindus follow the caste system created by invaders.
Therefore, the discussion of Varna system in post-Vedic texts is different from the system
widely discussed in colonial era Indian literature.
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Q. Is there any difference between Caste System and Varnashrama System?
�Differences Between Ancient Varna and Modern Caste�
There are so many differences between the modern Caste system and ancient Varnasram
system. Some of them are as follows :
�i) The term „Varna‟ comes from „varn‟ which means color or class/social order. On the
other hand, the term „Caste‟ derived from the Portuguese „casta‟ meaning "race, lineage, and
breed".
�ii) Varn of a person was decided after completion of his education. On the other hand,
caste of a person is declared at his birth.
�iii) The Varnasram system is created by God Himself. But, the caste system is created by
invaders during their rule in India.
�iv) The Varnasram is created for all peoples to attain the highest goal of human life. But,
the caste system is created to divide, to misled, convert and rule over another.
�v) The Varnasram system is determined by work, nature and qualities. But, the caste
system is according to one‟s birth and strength.
�vi) The Varnasram system was followed by great saints and sages. But, the caste system is
followed by corrupted world.
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Q. Can you give some examples of ancient history that shows Varna is by GunaKarma?
�Changing of Varna in Ancient Bharat�
Following are the examples of changing of varn vyastha in past �Manu Swayambhu himself, was born to a Brahmana but became a Kshatriya king.
�Manu‟s eldest son, Priyavrat, became a king, a Kshatriya.
�Out of Manu‟s ten sons seven became kings while three became Brahmanas. Their names
were Mahavir, Kavi and Savan. (Ref. Bhagwat Puran Chap. 5)
�Kavash Ailush was born to a Shudra and attained the highest varna of a Rishi. He became
mantra-drashta to numerous hymns in Rig-Veda : 10th Mandal.
�Jabala‟s son, Satyakaam, born from unknown father became Rishi by his qualities.
�Matang became a Rishi after his birth in low varna.
�Parashurama is known as someone who went about waging wars with Kshatriyas and
killed many of them. Though he was born in a Brahmana family (to Sage Jamadagni), by his
deeds he came to be a Kshatriya. Was he denied the knowledge of Vedas? No!
�Maharishi Valmiki was born in inferior varna and became a Rishi. Valmiki who wrote the
Ramayana was a hunter / robber who later was reformed by Sage Narada. Valmiki actually
taught Vedas and the art of weaponry to Luv & Kush who are the sons of Rama. If he was
not considered a Brahmana, who else was?
�Mahatma Vidur was born to a Dasi (maid) and became the prime minister to king
Dhritarastra.
�Raja Vishvanath, a Kshatriya, became a Brahmana – Rishi Vishwamitra.
�Vyasa who wrote the Mahabharata and is known to have actually categorized the Vedas
was born to Matsya Gandhi, a fisher woman. He was named Krishna Dwaipayana, the dark
one born in an island, at birth. The very name VYASA means the 'Compiler' denoting his
work on the Vedas. By birth, he should have been a Shudra. But by his deeds and dedication
of life to teaching people, he was praised by everyone as a Brahmana only! There is a huge
Guru Parampara that follows Vyasa muni. So, if he was a Shudra, how could he have learnt
and work on the Vedas?
�Bhurishravah belonged to the backward caste of pot makers, but was given the chair of
president-ship in a sacrifice by the Brahmin priests (Refer. Bhagavatam).
�There are many examples of varn vyastha to inferior level.
�Ravan king of Lanka was son of a Brahmana Rishi Pultasya became a rakshasa.
�Shri Ram‟s ancestor, Raja Raghu‟s son, Pravidh, was declared of inferior varna due to lack
of qualities.
�Shri Ram‟s ancestor, Raja Samar‟s son, Asmanjas, was declared a Shudra due to his bad
qualities.
Did these examples show lower and higher castes by birth? There was never the concept of
lower and higher levels in the caste system. The lower and higher concept existed only by
bad and good. Bad is the lower level and good is the higher level. A bad person is always
condemned irrespective of his caste.
Therefore, the discussion of Varna system in post-Vedic texts is different from the system
widely discussed in colonial era Indian literature.