Varna (caste)
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.
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, nobility and peasants of medieval 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 theory; an nativist view would be that the Varna system goes back to the Indus Valley Civilization.
The Four Sections of Varnas
Shudras
The Shudras, whom make up the lowest caste, and are effectively the majority of the populus.
They are peasants equivalent to serfs in Europe.
Vaishyas
The Vaishyas make up
- craftsman
- traders/merchants
- and husbandmen in society.
Kshatriyas
Kshatriyas is the class of warriors and aristocracy.
They are the only caste allowed to rule.
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.
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.
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.
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.
