Varna system is discussed in a detailed manner in Dharma-Shastra. Indian Varna System divides society into four varnas or classes. Those who fall out of this system because of their grievous sins are considered outcastes (untouchables) and they remain outside the varna system. Here in this article, we have explained What is Varna System and how it is the basis for the Caste System in India.
► What is Varna System?
The Indian Varna System is a system of social boundaries used by the Hindu religion. People are born into their group where they remain for life, they can only work and associate things with their confining.
There are 4 Main Casts in the Varna System. Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra. And the people who do not belong to any of these casts they known as Dalit (Harijan).
◉ Varna System Meaning
The word “Varna” is derived from the Sanskrit Language which means “the root”, “to cover, to envelop, count, classify consider”
- The word first appears in the “Rigveda”, where it means “color, outward appearance, exterior, form, figure or shape”.
- According to Mahabharata, Varna means “color, tint, dye, or pigment”.
- According to some Vedic and medieval texts, Varna means “color, race, tribe, species, kind, sort, nature, character, quality, property” of an object or people.
- According to Manusmriti, Varna refers to four social classes.
◉ Definition of Varna System
Varna system can be defined as the system of social hierarchy that determines social status. All people in India are born and ranked into one of the four major casts known as “Kul” or “Jaat”.
These four Varnas/Class/Caste are as follows;
- BRAHMINS: Priests, Teachers, Scholars
- KSHATRIYAS: Kings, Royal Families, Leader, Nobility, Warriors, Landed Gentry
- VAISYAS: Traders, Merchants, Lenders, Bankers, Land Owners, Entrepreneurs
- SUDRAS: Peasantry, Artisans, Skilled Labor
- OUTCASTES/DALITS: Manual/unskilled labor who handle waste, Clean toilets, Sweep Streets, also Leatherworkers, and Butchers.
► History of Varna System
- According to the Hindu religion, society should be divided into four classes called varnas.
- A person had the same varna that his or her parents had. And they have it from birth to death.
- There was no way to change it. Hindus did not question the varna system.
- It was simply considered part of the way the universe works.
◉ Purpose of Varna in Caste System (Casteism)
The standing framework in old India had been executed and recognized during, and from that point onward, the Vedic time period that flourished around 1500-1000 BCE.
The isolation of individuals given their Varna was expected to decongest the obligations of one’s life, safeguard the virtue of a rank, and layout timeless requests.
The hidden justification behind sticking to Varna obligations is the confidence in the achievement of moksha on being obedient. Confidence in the idea of Karma builds up the faith in the Varna life standards.
- The Varna system and caste system isolate Hindus into four fundamental classes or casts – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and the Shudras.
- The principal casts were further divided into around 3,000 casts and 25,000 sub-casts, each because of their particular occupation.
- Outside of this Hindu rank framework were the “Achhoots” – the Dalits or the untouchables.
According to the Vedas, it is the best obligation of a human to look for independence from resulting birth and demise and free oneself of the immigration of the spirit, and this is conceivable when one follows the obligations and standards of one’s particular Varna.
As indicated by the Vedas, predictable infringement on others’ life obligations causes an unsound society. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras structure the fourfold idea of society, each allowing proper life obligations and optimal attitude.
Men of the initial three various leveled positions are known as the two times conceived; first, brought into the world of their folks, and second, of their master after the consecrated string inception they wear over their shoulders.
The Varna framework is undeveloped in the Vedas, later expounded and changed in the Upanishads and Dharma Shastras.
► What is Caste System in India?
A person is considered a member of the caste into which he or she is born and remains within the caste until death. You are born into your caste depending on your karma.
- India’s Caste System is perhaps the longest surviving social hierarchy in the world.
- Hierarchy is based on a ranking system where it is dived into the upper class, middle class, and lower class.
- It is a more than 2000 years old system.
- The Cast system is part of the Hindu Religion.
◉ How Caste System is developed from Varna System?
India’s caste system was formally abrogated in 1950, however, the 2,000-year-old social order forced on individuals by birth exists in numerous parts of life.
The caste system arranges Hindus upon entering the world, characterizing their place in the public arena, and how occupations they can treat who they can wed.
◉ Categories under Caste System
The caste system has been categorized into four main classes:
- Brahmins are Vedic scholars, priests, and teachers.
- Kshatriyas are rulers, warriors, and administrators.
- Vaishyas are agriculturalists and merchants.
- Shudras are laborers and service providers.
Every Varna propounds explicit life standards to keep; infants are expected to follow the traditions, rules, lead, and convictions essential to their Varnas.
Communities that belong to one of the four varnas or classes are called “Savarna” Hindus. The Dalits and tribals who do not belong to any varna were called “Avarna”.
The most reduced rank was the Dalits, the untouchables, who took care of meat and waste, however, there is some discussion about whether this class existed in times long past.
Right away, it appears to be this position framework was just an impression of one’s occupation however, on schedule, it turned out to be all the more inflexibly deciphered not set in stone by one’s introduction to the world and one was not permitted to change stations nor to wed into a rank other than one’s own.
This comprehension was an impression of the confidence in a timeless request to human existence directed by a preeminent divinity.
✔ Brahmins in Caste System
Brahmins were worshipped as a manifestation of information itself, invested with the statutes and messages to be released to all Varnas of society.
They were loved because of their Brahmin birth as well as their renunciation of common life and development of heavenly characteristics, thought to be constantly fascinated in the consideration of Brahman, subsequently called Brahmins. Ministers, masters, rishis, instructors, and researchers comprised the Brahmin people group.
- They would continuously survive the Brahmacharya (chastity) promise appointed for them.
- Indeed, even wedded Brahmins were called Brahmachari (chaste) by prudence of having sex just for replicating and remaining intellectually confined from the demonstration.
Notwithstanding, anybody from different Varnas could likewise turn into a Brahmin after broad procurement of information and development of one’s keenness.
Brahmins were the first decision as guides for the infant since they address the connection between superb information on the divine beings and the four Varnas.
Along these lines, since the familial insight is supported through master follower practice, all residents brought into the world in every Varna would remain attached to the prerequisites of their lives.
Ordinarily, Brahmins were the exemplification of happiness and dispellers of obliviousness, driving all searchers to the apex of incomparable information, nonetheless, in special cases; they lived as heroes, merchants, or agriculturists in extreme affliction.
The ones offered with the titles of Brahma Rishi or Maha Rishi were mentioned to direct rulers and their realms’ organization.
All Brahmin men were permitted to wed ladies of the initial three Varnas, while wedding a Shudra lady would, insignificantly, deprive the Brahmin of his holy status. By the way, a Shudra lady would not be dismissed assuming the Brahmin agreed.
Brahmin ladies, in opposition to the prevalent view of their subjection to their spouses, were, truth be told, more worshipped for their virtue and treated with unmatched regard.
- According to Manu Smriti, a Brahmin lady should just wed a Brahmin and no other, however, she stays allowed to pick the man.
- She, under uncommon conditions, is permitted to wed a Kshatriya or a Vaishya, however, a wedding of a Shudra man is limited.
The limitations between station relationships are to stay away from ensuing pollutants of descendants brought into the world of the matches.
A man of a specific rank wedding to a lady of a higher station is viewed as a blemished match, coming full circle in disgraceful posterity.
✔ Kshatriyas in Caste System
Kshatriyas comprised the fighter faction, the rulers, leaders of regions, overseers, and so on It was principal for a Kshatriya to learn weaponry, fighting, compensation, somberness, organization, moral direction, equity, and administering.
All Kshatriyas would be shipped off a Brahmin’s ashram from the beginning until they turned out to be entirely furnished with imperative information. Other than starknesses like the Brahmins, they would acquire extra information on the organization.
Their principal obligation was to safeguard their region, protect against assaults, convey equity, administer uprightly, and stretch out harmony and satisfaction to every one of their subjects, and they would consult matters of regional sway and moral issues from their Brahmin masters.
They were permitted to wed a lady of all Varnas with shared assent. Albeit a Kshatriya or a Brahmin lady would be the best option, Shudra ladies were not banished from the wedding a Kshatriya.
Kshatriya ladies, similar to their male partners, were furnished with manly trains, completely familiar with fighting, freedoms to release obligations in the ruler’s nonattendance, and knowledgeable in the issues of the realm.
In opposition to mainstream thinking, a Kshatriya lady was similarly equipped for shielding a realm amid misery and bestowing fighting abilities to her relatives.
The heredity of a Kshatriya lord was kept unadulterated to guarantee progression to the high position and guarantee sway over domains.
✔ Vaishyas in Caste System
Vaishya is the third Varna addressed by agriculturalists, dealers, cash moneylenders, and those engaged in trade.
Vaishyas are likewise the two times conceived and go to the Brahmins’ ashram to get familiar with the standards of an idealistic life and to abstain from deliberate or incidental offense.
Cow raising was one of the most regarded occupations of the Vaishyas, as the belonging and nature of a realm’s cows, elephants, and ponies, and their upkeep impacted the personal satisfaction and the related thriving of the residents.
Vaishyas would work in close coordination with the directors of the realm to examine, execute, and continually update the expectations for everyday comforts by giving productive financial possibilities.
Since their life lead opens them to objects of quick satisfaction, their inclination to ignore the law and loathe the frail is seen as plausible. Subsequently, the Kshatriya lord would be generally occupied with settling questions starting struggles among Vaishyas.
- Vaishya ladies, as well, upheld their spouses in business, steers raising, and horticulture, and shared the weight of work.
- They were similarly allowed to pick a life partner of their decision from the four Varnas, yet choosing a Shudra was sincerely stood up to.
- Vaishya ladies appreciated insurance under the law, and remarriage was without a doubt typical, similarly to in the other three Varnas.
A Vaishya lady had equivalent privileges over tribal properties in the event of the inconvenient passing of her better half, and she would be similarly at risk for the childhood of her kids with help from her significant other.
✔ Shudras in Caste System
The last Varna addresses the foundation of a prosperous economy, in which they are respected for their devoted direct toward life obligations set out for them.
Academic perspectives on Shudras are the most different since there are more limitations on their lead.
Notwithstanding, Atharva Veda permits Shudras to hear and become familiar with the Vedas by heart, and the Mahabharata upholds the incorporation of Shudras in ashrams and their learning of the Vedas.
- Becoming directing ministers in penances coordinated by rulers was, be that as it may, generally limited.
- Shudras are not the two times conceived, henceforth they are not expected to wear the consecrated string like different Varnas.
- A Shudra man was simply permitted to wed a Shudra lady, however, a Shudra lady was permitted to wed from any of the four Varnas.
- Shudras would serve the Brahmins in their ashrams, Kshatriyas in their castles and royal camps, and Vaishyas in their business exercises.
Even though they are the feet of the early stage being, taught residents of higher Varnas would constantly see them as an urgent section of society, for a systematic culture would be effectively compromised assuming the feet were powerless.
Shudras, then again, complied with the sets of their lords, because their insight into accomplishing moksha by embracing their endorsed obligations urged them to stay faithful.
Shudra ladies, as well, filled in as specialists and close associates of the sovereign and would go with her after union with different realms.
- Many Shudras were likewise permitted to be agriculturalists, brokers, and enter occupations held by Vaishyas.
- These diversions of life obligations would, in any case, be under extraordinary conditions, on seeing weakening financial circumstances.
- The Shudras’ benevolence makes them deserving of uncommon respect and regard.
► Who are Dalits? (Untouchable)
- There is a fifth major class in Hinduism, but it is considered so low that it doesn’t even qualify as varna.
- Most people call it the Dalit or Untouchable class because its members are forbidden to touch anyone who belongs to one of the four varnas.
- If a Brahmin priest touches an untouchable, he or she must go through a ritual in which the pollution, and dirt are washed away.
Untouchable do all the most unpleasant work in society.
They are forced to live on the outskirts of towns and villages, and they must take water downstream from and not share wells with varna Hindus.
Also Read :Types of Poverty
They are also forbidden by caste Hindus to enter places of worship.
They are made to dig the graves, dispose of dead animals, clean human waste, and wash and use separate teapots at neighborhood tea shops, all because due to their caste status.
They are deemed dirty and therefore untouchable. Any attempt to fight the social order is met with violence or economic retaliation.
◉ Mahatma Gandhi on Dalits
- Mohandas Karanchandra Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) was from Vaishya varna.
- Gandhi published magazines and advocated for the untouchables and wrote various journals for the welfare of the lower class.
- Gandhi gave the title “Harijan” to the Dalits in 1932.
- He used to conduct his evening prayers between Harijan communities.
The Caste system is officially illegal in India, although it is still present in our society. In 1962 a law was passed making it illegal to discriminate against the untouchable castes.
