The caste system in light of Ramanuja's teachings

[Guest guest]

Respected Ramanuja Bhaktas,

 

When we think of India or Indian culture, many of us are quick to judge

its failings by pointing out the cruelties of the age-old caste system.

Many great thinkers and humanitarians of the 20th Century, including

Mahatma Gandhi, struggled to enlighten people on the need to unify as

one society by tearing down the walls of hatred and bigotry that were

the direct result of the rigid codes of caste-based occupations and

birthrights.

 

But, long before Gandhi or anyone else had even broached the subject,

the predecessors and followers of Bhagavad Sri Ramanuja had made

tremendous strides in breaking down the barriers of caste and

birthright, even at at time in history when such efforts ran the risk of

being seen as blasphemy. Surprisingly, contrary to later attempts to do

away with caste by putting down the Vedas, the AchAryas of Ramanuja's

tradition were able to put caste in a proper perspective without

challenging the authenticity of the Vedas, or the validity of what the

scriptures had to say on the subject of caste. By showing people the

true role that caste played in Vedic life, they were able to bring all

of their followers on par with one another, irrespective of race,

caste, creed or gender, under the umbrella of God's Unconditional Love

and Grace.

 

The following summary of a question and answer session sheds some light

on the caste system, from a SriVaishnava perspective.

 

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Mohan

 

 

sri:

 

Article in the upcoming VEDIC Magazine,

 

Based on Q & A Session in Chicago with Students

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

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

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

 

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

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

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)

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

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?

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

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.

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

Further questions send mail to: ramanuja

 

 

azhwAr emperumAnAr JeeyAr thiruvadigalE sharanam

 

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Mukundan Vangkipuram Pattangi

http://www.radioramanuja.com