Varna (caste) Origins Of The System The Four Sections Of Varnas

The notion of Varna ( Sanskrit varṇa "colour, tint, dye, pigment") as a socio-religious caste system is first attested in the Rig-Veda, where it is especially applied to the Aryas and the Dasas, though it generally refers to the four principal classes described in Manu's code, viz. Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The more modern word for "caste" is jāti. It is believed that one is born into a caste depending on one's karmic influences, i. e. actions in the past life.

1 Origins of the system

The caste system in the Vedic culture has probably originated with prehistoric Proto-Indo European peoples. In the framework of the " trifunctional hypothesis " of Georges Dumézil, the presence of four castes is seen as an indication that the lowest caste consists of the descendants of a subjugated indigenous people, while the original system would have included three castes, priests, warriors and peasants, comparable to the three classes, viz. clergy, nobilityThe nobility represents, or has represented, the higher stratum of a society in which social classes can be distinguished. The most distinctive feature of nobilty is that once acquired, it is passed to descendants, possibly according to some rules. Initia and peasantA peasant from 15th century French paisant from Latin pagus country district, is someone who lives in the country either working for others or, more specifically, owning or renting and working by his own labour a small plot of ground. Peasants depend econs of medievalThe Middle Ages formed the middle period in a schematic division of European history into three 'ages': Classical civilization, the Middle Ages, and Modern Civilization. It is commonly dated from the end of the Western Roman Empire ( 5th century) until th Europe. The supposed ethnic difference between the castes is supported by the word varna "colour" itself, referring to the darker complexion of the lower castes.

This view is linked to the controversial Aryan invasion theoryThe Aryan invasion theory is a historical theory first put forth by the German Indologist Friedrich Max Muller and others in the mid nineteenth century in order to provide a historical explanation for the existence of Indo-European languages in India.; an nativist view would be that the Varna system goes back to the Indus Valley CivilizationIndus River in present-day Pakistan. The Mohenjo-daro ruins pictured above were once the center of this ancient society. The Indus Valley Civilization 2800 BC 1800 BC, was an ancient civilization thriving along the Indus River in the northwest Indian subc.

2 The Four Sections of Varnas

2.1 Shudras

The Shudras, who make up the lowest caste, are effectively the majority of the populus. They are peasants equivalent to serfs in Europe.

2.2 Vaishyas

2.3 Kshatriyas

Kshatriyas is the class of warriors and aristocracy. They are the only caste allowed to rule.

2.3.1 Examples

Arjuna, of the famous Bhagavad Gita, was a Kshatriya prince, and was faced with the problem of going to war with family members.
Siddhartha Goutama, or the Buddha, was born to a Kshatriya Cheiftain of the Shakya clan, in north-eastern India.

2.4 Brahmins

The Brahmins are the priestly caste, and are responsible for all religious affairs of society, and must endure 12 years studying the Vedas -comes from Sanskrit for 'knowledge', root word Vid 'to know'. They are not considered the rulers of sociey, but in the past have often shaped the path of the Kyshatriya below them. The goal in this Vedic system is to ascend to the level of Brahmin, as it is easiest to achieve moksha -release from samsara, the cycle of reincarnation, and attainment of heavenly bliss- when a Brahmin. This not to say that Moksha was unattainable in lower castes, as they were through various forms of yogic practice.

The existence of a priestly caste is well known from many cultures, e. g. the Druids of the Celts, the Magi of the Persians and the clergy of christian Europe.

In India, even though the Varna Caste System has been outlawed, the Brahmins still play a vital role in Hindu culture.

2.5 The Untouchables

Below the four recognized castes there the casteless Pariah, or the Untouchables.

These people performed all the dirty work of society and

worked as butchers and tanners and hence had to work with dead animals
they worked with refuse and garbage
they were also non-kyshatriya mercenaries and assassins.

They were the most despised people of the Imperial Indian Civilization.

3 Sub-caste System

Mixed in with the Varna Caste system was the jati sub-caste system. The Jati was effectively a system similar to guilds, and was associated with occupation. If the Varnas gave structure to society, the Jati gave structure to each Varna.

Unlike the Varna caste system, where one could not change one's class in one's lifetime, jati could be changed with comparative ease. Marriages would be arranged within one's varna, but sometimes between jati sub-castes. There is a lot of 'caste prejudice' between castes, usually taking the form of disassocaition with lower castes, though sometimes it would degenerate into petty 'gang wars,' usually among the lowest caste(s) and the Pariahs.

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