[world-vedic] UNTOUCHABILITY AND CASTE

[Guest guest]

Frequently, people fault the Vedic Culture because of the Caste system.

However, the truth is simple. The Caste system is the recognition of the

basic fact that within all societies there are various types of individuals

with different natures and inclinations.

 

This is a self evident fact even within animal societies. It is one of the

basic principles of reality. Unlike the current era which artificially tries

to pretend that every one is the same, the Vedic civilization recognizes

that we are all different, with different tastes, habits, and qualities.

 

The Vedic Civilization, being an organic symptom of life in balance and

harmony with the natural laws of the Universe, facilitates all members of

society and allows them to function within certain parameters that maintain

true individual freedom for all members of society.

 

In other words, a butcher can continue his lifestyle and live within a

society that appreciates and needs his talents. But because a butcher is

engaged in an extremely complicated and karmically bounding activity and has

a consciousness impregnated with the slaughter of animals, his bodies, both

material and subtle, are considered untouchable by those members of society

engaged in breaking their karmic bondage.

 

We all know from experiance the impact of association and the tendency to

become influenced by other's moods and consciousness. Vedic Civilization

compensated for this reality by placing restrictions on the mingling of

various castes and classes.

This was done, NOT to supress anyone, but rather to gaurantee the Freedoms

of all members of society to live full and productive lives according to

ones natural tendencies. It is simplicity itself.

 

For example, a Basketball team is made of people who have shown a tendency

and talent for basketball. To force them to add team members that have no

interest nor expertise in basketball is foolish. So because Vedic

Civilization recognizes that we are all here to evolve towards our Real

Spiritual Identity, society was set up to allow everyone to work within

their field of expertise, in an enviroment conducive to an individual's

nature.

 

All the trouble began when Vedic Civilization was betrayed by some members

of the higher castes, who forgot that CASTE AND CLASS ARE DECIDED BY

CHARACTER AND QUALITY RATHER THAN BY BIRTH. It is an old story that has

parallels in all societies. Selfishness and attachment to ones own family

members rather than to the larger family of the Nation or Planet as a whole.

 

Another illusion is the idea that only Vedic civilization has a caste

system. Every single group of living creatures has a caste system. This is a

scientific reality. Whether it is a corporation, human family, wolfpack,

bird-flock, or nation.

 

When A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was invited to the USSR, back in the

early 70s, his host, Prof. Klavatsky(?) proudly pointed out the superiority

of Soviet society over Vedic society, by saying that in the USSR we are all

equal and no one is higher or lower than anyone else. Prabhupada instantly

reminded him of the fact that the Prof had arrived in a fancy chauffered

govt car and drove past the street sweepers who had no car, what to speak of

a chauffer. Because the Caste system is a basic reality of the universe, it

was completely obvious even in the so-called classless utopia.

 

In conclusion, the caste system is a natural reality. It may be called

something else, or denied all toghether, but it is an unescapable

functioning reality of the material universe.

Ultimately, we are all equal and we are all entitled to the gifts of nature

and God. That is why Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ignored all class and caste

distinctions and is inviting everyone to take advantage of this era and

remember who we really are...ETERNAL SERVANTS OF SRI KRSNA!!!

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