5 Comments

1. Reply

   godreali

   Posted May 21, 2009 at 9:22 PM

   Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism is absolutely clear about the system of Varna… the caste system as enumerated by Manu! As per sacred Bhagavad Gita of Hinduism… primarily it is karma that decides what caste one belongs to.
   One may have born into Brahmin caste… yet indulged in work of trading… As per Bhagavad Gita one would be considered not a Brahmin but a Vaishya (of the trading community). Similarly one born in Shudra caste yet indulged in protecting the country… As per Bhagavad Gita one would be treated at par with Kshatriya (administers of law and security)!
   In present times… one who is born a Brahmin though indulging in nefarious activities still remains a Brahmin in the society. One of a low caste (Shudra) though indulging in protection of the country still remains a Shudra… a castaway! In Kali Yuga… the Dark Age… the metal age… such phenomenon can be seen and experienced in day-to-day life.
   Only a renaissance… a total upheaval of the society can remedy the inherent defects! A savior… a messiah… the awaited one… Bhagwan Kalki shall succeed in remedying the defects in society… by tackling adharma (lawlessness) head-on and re-establishing Dharma (righteousness). More on Bhagavad Gita- http://www.godrealized.com/bhagvadgita.h...

2. Reply

   neekie

   Posted May 22, 2009 at 2:18 AM

   Varna (वर्ण varṇa) is a Sanskrit term derived from the root vṛ meaning “to enclose” or “colour”.[1] The term, which also means letter, paint, cover, coat, class and caste, has been used in various contexts in the hindu scriptures.[2]
   In historical Indic traditions the varna and caste systems are not the same system, although they are related.[3] Varna and caste systems are beleived to have become related to mean the same thing, as caste, after the Vedic_period when the puranas and dharmashastras were written.
   In popular belief, the varna system, also known as varnashrama dharma, is based on principles laid out in the scriptures of the Vedic tradition, which categorize Hindus into four “varnas” or social classes and prescribe specific duties for each. These are the brahmanas (brahmins) (serving as priests and teachers), kshatriyas (duties of administration, battle, and law enforcement), vaishyas (customarily agriculture, commerce, and cow-protection), and shudras (who provide service to members of the other three varnas). In this system, it is supposedly the brahmins and not the kings, who commanded the greatest respect in society despite their relative lack of wealth or political power.
   However, a verse in the Manusmriti states: Shudro Brahmanathamethi Brahmanaschethi shudrataam [A Shudra becomes a Brahmin and a Brahmin becomes a Shudra because of his Karma].
   It is worthwhile to note that the puranas were written after the vedic period; and the Manusmriti is not considered to be bereft of interpolations. Therefore the context of varna as presented by evidence of meaning in the puranas and the dharmashastras differ in various hindu schools. According to the Arya Samaj, the varna of a student used to be decided after an education period of 14 years[4].
   However, in popular belief, it was implicit within the concept that most Hindus would faithfully follow their prescribed duties for the greater good of the entire society. In reality though, fluidity of castes or occupation groups appear to have been common [1]. The modern caste system is supposedly an extension of the ancient varnashrama tradition. The caste system recognizes many more social groupings not mentioned in the Hindu scriptures and only theoretically accepts the necessity of following prescribed duties. Caste has become a highly contentious issue in Indian politics, and academic scholarship on the subject has often been critical of its varnashrama origins. Traditional Hindus however do not regard varnasharma as merely an hereditary pass to enjoy social standing. Rather, they consider it to be natural and integral to daily life, existing to maintain an harmonious and functional society based on spiritual ideals.

3. Reply

   Vishnu Acharya

   Posted May 22, 2009 at 5:51 AM

   Re:Godreali’s remarks: It’s not karma alone but ‘Gunakarmavibhagashah0 (Gita): as per innate nature (‘Guna’) and karma (‘past actions’). It’s made by the Creator who is also ‘Antaryami’ i.e. controls from within) thus putting the right surroundings and when and where evolution is to occur, by inspiring the soul from within to break new ground. However, it cannot be overemphasized that all are equal (‘Na me dveshosti na priyah’). When He treats us all as equal how can we arrogate ourselves to being superior to any one else .. including one of any ‘varna’, ‘yoni’ or status or wealth? Humility is all , rest is Prayer ..’Thy will be done’ ..’Karishye vachanam tava’.

4. Reply

   Ambi

   Posted May 22, 2009 at 8:27 AM

   In Bhgavad-Gita chapter 1, verse 41 we see “varna sankara (confusion of varna = anarchy)” mentioned by Arjuna. This verse said by Arjuna can be translated as follows:
   BG1: 41
   When lawlessness prevails,
   the women of the family are violated.
   When the women are violated,
   anarchy arises in the society.
   O Varshneya!
   {‘Varshneya’ refers to one who is born in the Vrishni clan (i.e. Krishna).
   In a stable society, it is easier to identify who belongs to which clan or family}.
   Krishna brings up varna in BG4:13. That verse can be translated as follows:
   BG4: 13
   I have brought forth the four basic traits,
   a division based on guna and karma.
   BG 18:41-43 explains the ‘four basic traits’ in human society.
   These are inherent traits, not hereditary traits! Four siblings can belong to four varnas.
   Here, guna refers to the inherent qualities of humans, and
   karma refers to work befitting to guna.
   The idea in BG is that everyone should understand what their traits are, that determines svadharma, same as svakarma. That is the secret of success and liberation:
   BG18:41
   The pursuits of brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and shudras are allocated in accordance with the inborn traits that arise from their own basic nature.
   BG18:42
   Serenity, self-discipline, austerity, honesty, purity, forgiveness, knowledge, wisdom, and faith in the almighty
   are the basic traits of brahmins.
   Bg18:43
   Valor, majesty, firmness, skill, courage, generosity, and lordly disposition are the basic traits of kshatriyas.
   Bg18:44
   Farming, raising cattle, and trade
   are the natural activities of vaishyas
   as per their nature; service
   (serving all segments of society)
   is the basic trait of shudras.
   (Vaishyas and Shudras are essentially the Providers and servers of a society)
   Bg18:45
   By engaging in work which is in tune
   with one’s own nature (talent, aptitude),
   a person attains perfection.
   By pursuing one’s own line of activity
   one can attain fulfillment.
   BG18:46
   A person finds fulfillment by engaging in work
   which is in tune with one’s own nature and
   making that as an offering to the One,
   who pervades the universe, and
   from whom all creatures have arisen.
   Bg18:47
   It is preferable to perform work in accordance with one’s own nature, even if it is lacking (of lesser merit) than
   superbly performing another’s task. Because, by working in accordance with one’s own nature, one does not incur any guilt.
   BG18:48
   It is only natural that all pursuits have some blemish,
   just as fire is obscured by smoke!
   Thus, one should not abandon work attuned to one’s own disposition,
   even if it is (considered) of lesser merit.
   CONCLUSION: It is quite clear that to establish and maintain a society all these functions are essential. The suucess of a society is directly proportional to how persons of every trait is allowed to develop to their full potential.
   Hinduism is unique in recognizing this biological truth and Bhagavad-Gita rightly recommends that one should follow their bliss (their inherent trait). However, down the road, it was totally misunderstood by the Hindu society, which made us to believe that the trait of a person is totally hereditary! It was propogated in the name of tradition and enforced by nurture. This is against both Bhagavad-Gita’s wisdom and Biological truth. In present day India, it is alive because of reservation based on hereditary. Until we bury this dragon and make reservations based on socio-economic conditions without imploring one’s lineage, the ccaste divide in India will prosper, essentially choking the prosperity of India as a whole.
   Every child is an experiment in life and we are not clones of our parents; Thus people who still live by that misunderstanding are at best clowns and at worst the traitors of Bhagavd-Gita (truth), and society.

5. Reply

   vkt

   Posted December 29, 2011 at 2:35 PM

   Bhagavad Gita is the Great Science. Some People misunderstood Bhagavad Gita and blame regarding reference to Castes..But this is not true. Check the truth below:

   As per Bhagavad Gita chapter 4 sloka 13: (4.13) – Caste is based on Occupation(work) and Qualities but not based on Birth. If oneself is in Vaisyas or Sudra caste then he can enhance his qualities and Occupation and then become Ksatriya or Brahmana. check below:
   Check the Qualities and Occupation(work) to fit in a particular caste:
   Bhagavad Gita 18.42: Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge, and religiousness–these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work.
   Bhagavad Gita 18.43: Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity, and leadership are the qualities of work for the ksatriyas.
   Bhagavad Gita 18.43: Farming, cow protection and business are the qualities of work for the vaisyas, and for the sudras there is labor and service to others.

   If anyone wants to be Ksatriya or Brahmana then he can Giveup the qualities of Sudra and Vaisya and get the qualities of Ksatriya or Brahmana and become Ksatriya or Brahmana. This mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita itself (4.13 and chapter 18). But Every Humanbeing and every Caste has to be given Respect.

   Once Again: Caste is not based on Birth its based on Occupation and Qualities. One should not think oneself as permanent Sudra or Vaisya caste. Always try to reach the top Qualities and work and be on the top. Everyone is the Individual Soul and everyone is Spiritual.
   (A person working as Politician or Leader cannot claim himself as Farmer if the politician is born in the Farmers(vaisya) Family or if his Father is Farmer, as Famer is Vaisya and Good Politician or Good Leader is Ksatriya)
   Any one can take the Help of Supreme Lord Krishna and get the top Qualities and good Occupation and then become Ksatriya or Brahmana. Bhagavd Gita is the Great Science to understand the Soul, Mind, intellect, Body, Universe, controller and Eternal Truth.