Caste system in Hinduism
The Bhagavad Gita says this about the varn.as:
[1] The works of Brahmins, Ks.atriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras are different, in harmony with the three powers of
their born nature.
[2] The works of a Brahmin are peace; self-harmony, austerity, and purity; loving-forgiveness and righteousness;
vision and wisdom and faith.
[3] These are the works of a Ks.atriya: a heroic mind, inner fire, constancy, resourcefulness, courage in battle,
generosity and noble leadership.
[4] Trade, agriculture and the rearing of cattle is the work of a Vaishya. And the work of the Shudra is service.
[chapter 18, Juan Mascaró translation, Penguin Books, 1962]
What is the Caste System ?
The Hindu caste system is unique in the world, but resembles in some ways Plato's ideal society of philosophers,
warriors and commoners. A caste is a division of society based on occupation and family lineage. Hindu caste
system recognized four distinct classes or divisions among people based on these criteria and enforced it through
a rigid code of conduct that was specific to each class and rooted in the dharmashastras (law books) of the later
vedic period. The four main castes recognized by traditional Hindu society based primarily on hereditary
occupation are mentioned below.
1.Brahmins. They are the priestly class, who are entitled to study the Vedas, perform rites and rituals for
themselves and for others and obliged to observe the sacraments. They are the middle men between gods and men. The
act as temple priests and invoke gods on behalf of others. They are expected to show exemplary behavior and spend
their lives in the pursuit of divine knowledge and preservation of the traditions. According to Manu, the law
maker, a brahmin was an incarnation of dharma (sacred tradition), born to serve and protect the dharma. He
belonged to the excellent of the human race, endowed with intelligence and knowledge to attain Brahman. He was the
highest on earth, the lord of all created beings. Whatever that existed in the world was the property of a
Brahmana and he was entitled to all.
2.Kshatriyas. They are the warrior class, who are commanded (by tradition) to protect the people, bestow gifts to
the brahmins, offer sacrifices to gods and ancestors, study the Vedas, dispense justice, and, according to
Manusmriti, abstain themselves from sensual pleasures. Manu laid down that it was a king's duty to protect his
kingdom and his people. He had something in himself of the gods such Indra, Vayu, Yama, Surya, Varuna, Moon and
Kubera. A king should not be despised even if he was an infant. His authority should not be questioned except when
he ignored his duties in supporting and protecting brahmins. The king had the right to punish, but he must be fair
in his punishment. It was king's responsibility to protect the caste system and the social order and lavish the
priests with generous gifts at every opportunity.
3.Vaishyas: They are the merchant and peasant classes, who are expected to tend cattle, offer sacrifices, study
the Vedas, trade, lend money and cultivate the land. They had the right to perform and participate in certain
vedic rituals but they were not allowed to marry women of higher castes.
4.Shudras: The are the labor class, whose only duty is to serve the other three castes. They were not required to
observe any vedic rituals or samskaras except a few. They were not allowed to study the vedas or even hear the
sacred chants. They were not allowed to eat food in the company of higher castes or marry their women.
5.Chandalas: The lowest of the sudras were called chandalas or the impure ones. They were treated as untouchables
because of their gory religious practices, penchant for sacrifices, magical rites and unclean habits. In ancient
times they were not allowed to enter a village or city during day time or walk in the same street where men of
other castes walked. Even their shadow was considered impure and their very sight as a bad omen. So they lived
mostly on the fringes of society, unknown and uncared for, following some esoteric religion of their own and
working mostly in the graveyards and cremation grounds or as hunters, butchers and professional cleaners of human
waste
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