Truth about Varna (Occupation) and Jaati (Caste): Discussion

[Guest guest]

sri:

 

Article in the upcoming VEDIC Magazine,

 

Based on Q&A Session in Chicago with Students

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The truth about Varna (Occupation) and Jaati (Caste)

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Question 1: What is Caste system? Does Vedic religion divide people based on

birth?

===================================================

Answer: Popular misconceptions say that the Vedic religion encourages division

of

human beings based on one's birth.

As a result, some people have been kept backward and uneducated while others

have

abused this misconceptions and misinformation for personal gains.

 

Much of this misconception can be attributed to the use of the words 'Varna' and

'Jaati'

interchangeably. A closer analysis will reveal just how wrong these

misconceptions are.

 

Question 2: What is Varna?

===================================================

Answer: Varna: The root word for Varna is 'Vri' which means one's occupation.

The Varna

system was hence originally based on division of labor. Those whose duties were

to protect

the men, animals and properties were called as 'Kshatriyas', the warriors.

Those who had skills in teaching and scholarly thought, were 'Brahmins' and so

on.

 

The Varna system was solely based on the attitude and qualities of an individual

and his/her

propensity for performing certain duties. The source of these identified in the

Srimad Bhagavad Gita

as being the gunas, or inner qualities, that were the result of the karmas of

each individual from previous lives.

Those who had more of Sattva guna were Brahmins,

Those who had Rajasic Guna were Kshtriyas and so on.

 

Question 3: Is that just your opinion or there is any proof for this?

===================================================

Answer:

To quote from Lord Krishna’s words in Bhagawad Gita: (GeetaAcharyan)

 

Chapter 4, Verse 13 of Srimad Bhagavad Gita

 

catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah

tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam

 

Here Lord says that according to the three modes of material nature and the work

associated with them,

He created the four divisions of human society.

 

Question 4: Are there any examples of great "accepted Scholars" who were not

born in brahmin families

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Answer: We have instances from Puranas of many who were not born from

Brahmin parents actually teaching Brahmins and others.

 

Sri. Vedavyasa was the one who actually compiled 4 Vedas. He was not a Brahmin

by birth.

He is the compiler of the Vedas (Not the Author – Vedas are Not Authored by

anyone)

He is the compiler of Mahabharatha.

 

Lord Krishna, was born a Vaishya and He gave us the Bhagawad Gita.

Lord Rama was born a Kshatriya, and his life is the Ramayana.

 

The caste of the person giving the message is is not important, but the Actual

message is.

 

At first, the people had more or less a right to choose over their varna based

on their

gunas and karmas. However, over time, fathers began to expect their sons to take

over the duties of their specific calling. Due to the continual aspect of Son

taking

over father's duties in the society, the 'Work associated' became a matter of

birth and in later days,

became identified as a birth right.

 

Swami Ramanuja (A Brahmin by birth) who is the foremost SriVaishanva Acharya had

a Acharyas who were not Brahmins. He had many Sishyas (followers) who were not

Brahmins.

So in the SriVaishnava sampradaya, the issue of caste does not arise for

Salvation. Love for Lord, intiation and salvation is for everyone.

 

Question 5: And what is Caste (Jaati)?

 

Answer: Jaati (Caste): The Root word for 'jati' is 'jan', which means Birth. It

might have

happened that due to a continual devolution of one's father's duty to his

son over many years , the Varna became confused with 'jaati' and we know

where are we now.

Instead of having four divisions of labors, we now have several dozen jaatis,

each competing

with one another for special rights, and each blaming the other for the problems

of society.

So, even though two jaatis may actually belong to one varna, they may see each

other as

being two different castes. It is this which has led to the degradation of the

varna system

and a general disrespect for the Vedas.

 

While it may not be possible to move completely away from the equating of varna

and jaati,

we must recognize that when our Poorvacharyas referred toVarna, they literally

meant 2 things:

1. One's attitude (Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasa Gunas)

2. The duties the individual held in the society.

 

What is important to recognize that, in line with Vedic teachings, our

poorvacharyas refused

to acknowledge one varna as being greater than another, or one being lower than

another.

All people, irrespective of their varna are equal in their ability to do Good

for this world,

and in their ability to obtain salvation through surrender to the Lotus Feet of

Sriman Narayana.

 

In many of the Srivaishnava works such as Sri Vachana Bhushanam, it is

clearly emphasized that a Srivaishnava , irrespective of race, caste, or gender

should be

revered and respected as 'Thirumal adiyar' (a devotee of the Lord of Lakshmi)

 

Consequently, while we must respect and perform the the duties and obligations

of our

specific varna, we must not divide ourselves by jaati. We are all one family

bound together

by Sriman Narayana and His Unconditional Love for each and every one of us.

 

Question 6: In recent years are there examples of Non-Brahmin born Scholars who

inturn

had Brahmin born students. (your previous example of Veda Vyasa is very very

old, thousands of years ago)

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Answer: Swami Satagopan (Nammazhwar) was Born in 4th Caste.

He is the most important acharya who brought the teachings to all the

SriVaishnavas.

We have Azhwars (were born upto 600 AD) who are from all walks of life, gender,

caste and community.

 

In fact our Acharyas and MahaPurushas are so revered that even talking about

their varna is

is Taboo. In fact that is the attitude towards all Sri Vaishnavas, once a

devotee has undergone

Samashreyanam (Initiation to become a Sri Vishnava) even to talk about the

devotee's Varna is

not-accepted.

 

In all Srivaishnava homes you will find prayers and utmost respect for Swami

Nammazhwar.

 

Question 7: Are there any examples in the last few hundred years?

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Answer: Yes, there are many examples in SriVaishnava Acharyas, the most famous

Sri Pillailokacharya lived in Srirangam throuhgout his life and was a strong

believer,

preacher & propogator in equality of various varnas in the eyes of God.

One of his foremost disciples was a Harijan, called Vilancolaippillai,

who became very learned and, in his turn, had many Brahmins as his disciples.

 

In the eyes of the Lord all are same, and everyone has been give this blessed

birth.

This is an oppurtunity to fall in love with God, and realize our true purpose of

life, irrespective of

race, caste, or gender.

 

In the Srivaishnava path this is seen in practice in daily life and in our

teachings.

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Further questions send mail to: ramanuja

 

======= End of Article (Vedic Mag Editor: Mohar Sagar) ==================

 

 

 

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adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

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