Determination of varna, Access to scripture for shudras-etc

Pankaja_Dasa · February 3, 2005

By Romapada Swami a disicple of Srila Prabhupada-

Determination of varna, Access to scripture for shudras

Question Premise: It is said in the scriptures and Bhagavad-Gita that people should do only the work assigned to them according to the chatur-varna, and that chatur-varna is according to karma and not birth. (http://vedabase.net/bg/4/13/en)

Q1: How can a person know in which varna he is included?

Answer: Varna can be discerned by the qualities an individual possesses, and there are ample descriptions of these qualities found within the scriptures. Likewise, scripture also directs us to understand the finer points of application of these scriptural teachings by seeking guidance from a <font color="red">qualified spiritual preceptor. </font color> Based upon the qualities and tendency towards work and behavior that the individual exhibits, varna is determined.

Q2: Also, if a man is born as sudra, is he not eligible to study the shastras, because the sudra's karma is to help all other varnas?

Answer: As you stated in the initial premise of your question, one cannot be designated as sudra solely on the basis of birth, but by guna and karma.

A sudra-by-birth was not NECESSARILY forbidden from study of shastras, as evidenced in the Upanisadic narration of Gautama Rsi accepting Satyakama Jabala as his disciple. Only a well-examined pupil with high character and brahminical training was given access to Vedas, in order to preserve the potency and purity of the Vedas, and to prevent misuse of knowledge.

The essence of the Vedas is presented in a simple form in the Puranas and Itihasas; in fact Srila Vyasadeva compiled these just for the benefit of the sudras and dvija-bandhus (those born of brahmana parents but lacking the prerequisite brahminical qualification.) By purificatory processes, these persons can also achieve perfections (BG 9.32 http://vedabase.net/bg/9/32/en).

In the Vedic setting, if it is ascertained that one has the nature of a sudra, they were given vocational education; literacy for the masses was not given great importance in Vedic society. However, as the sudras gave service to the other varnas, it was in turn the duty of brahmanas to systematically disseminate shastric knowledge to the general public. In fact, the temple in a Vedic community was to serve just this purpose - as a center of learning - where the mercantile and laborer classes would come and learn about religious principles through art, drama and regular discourses on scriptural teachings.

Can candalas also realize Krishna?

Q3: In which category, among the varnas, do the candalas belong to? Will they be able to realize Godhead if they observe chanting?

Answer: Candala referred to a class of people lower than the sudras, and generally dog-eaters. They were considered to be 'fifth-class' and outside the varnashrama system.

There are many references in the scripture specifically about candalas becoming elevated through devotional service. Bhagavatam states that even a candala who has once offenselessly chanted the Holy Name becomes immediately eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices, and becomes worshipable for all. (SB 3.33.7 http://vedabase.net/sb/3/33/7/en) In the Padma Purana it is said that an unalloyed vaishnava, even if born in a dog-eating family, is qualified to become a Guru (Quoted in Bhagavad-gita 2.8, Purport http://vedabase.net/bg/2/8/en). Krishna also assures that even those born in sinful families can attain the supreme destination by taking shelter of Him. (Bg 9.32 http://vedabase.net/bg/9/32/en)

Kulapavana · February 3, 2005

sudras have access to the shastras by listening or reading. they should refrain from trying to interpret the shastras by themselves. as a rule, their interpretations are usually way off the mark. a humble person can easily understand and accept this point.

Pankaja_Dasa · February 4, 2005

I think not only Sudra have this problem!

In Mahaprabhu period was there any Varna System or traces of it. I think first try purify yourself then automatically you will declare your Varna. How else can you become humble?