Significance of VARNA

[vignesh2014]

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The system of the four classes (caturvarnya) is fundamental to the views the traditional lawgivers held of society. They specified a different set of obligations for each: the task of the Brahman is to study and advise, the baron to protect, the Vaishya to cultivate, and the serf to serve. History shows, however, that the four-class system was more a social model than a reality. The multitudinousness ofcastes (or jati) is explained as the result of hypergamous and hypogamous alliances between the four classes and their descendants. The inclusion of the Shudra into the four-varna system bestowed on them a measure of dignity. A move to accommodate still others not so distinguished led to the rather unofficial acceptance of a fifth class, the pancama (Sanskrit: “fifth”), which include the “untouchable” classes and others, such as tribal groups, who are outside the system and, consequently, avarna (“classless”).
In modern times, traditional Hindus, awakened to the inequities of the caste system yet believing the four-varna system to be fundamental to the good society, have often advocated a return to this clear-cut varna system by reforming castes. Individual castes, in turn, have sought to raise their social rank by identifying with a particular varna and demanding its privileges of rank and honour.

 

[vignesh2014]

varna, Sanskrit varṇa, any one of the four traditional social classes of India. Although the literal meaning of the word varna (Sanskrit: “colour”) once invited speculation that class distinctions were originally based on differences in degree of skin pigmentation between an alleged group of lighter-skinned invaders called “Aryans” and the darker indigenous people of ancient India, this theory has been discredited since the mid-20th century. The notion of “colour” was most likely a device of classification. Colours were frequently used as classifiers; e.g., the Vedic scripture known as theYajurveda is divided into two groups of texts, White and Black.
The varnas have been known since a hymn in the Rigveda (the oldest surviving Indian text) that portrays the Brahman (priest), the Kshatriya (noble), the Vaishya (commoner), and the Shudra(servant) issued forth at creation from the mouth, arms, thighs, and feet of the primeval person (purusha). Males of the first three varnas are “twice-born” (dvija): after undergoing the ceremony of spiritual rebirth (upanayana), they are initiated into manhood and are free to study the Vedas, the ancient scriptures of Hinduism. The Shudra live in service to the other three. The Vaishya, in turn, as common people, grazers, and cultivators, contrast with the governing classes—i.e., the secularKshatriya, or barons, and the sacerdotal Brahmans. Brahmans and Kshatriya themselves contrast in that the former are the priests, while the latter have the actual dominion. In the older description, far greater emphasis is placed on the functions of the classes than on hereditary membership, in contradistinction to caste, which emphasizes heredity over function.

 

[prasad1]

The site administrator has provided a feature called "Search", people should use this function before posting. We seem to hash the same topic, there is no point in beating a dead horse.

 

[vignesh2014]

varna is not a dead horse...it is natural form of division which nobody understood properly...here i'm interpreting in a more broader way encompassing all world races. i'm advocating settling of any country people anywhere so that it leads to world harmony. it is not that people are pushed from the top like sonia gandhi but their inclination to settle in a particular country so that the country will be benefitted by their services to the country rather than the money being siphoned out of the country by MNC's...i have a broader vision but people since had been accustomed to a narrow vision (or just like a frog in the well think about their well only - vivekananda's story).

 

[renuka]

The site administrator has provided a feature called "Search", people should use this function before posting. We seem to hash the same topic, there is no point in beating a dead horse.

If we do CPR the dead horse might come back alive.

 

[vignesh2014]

Always there will be natural divisions in society. When people lived in the forests, there were herbivores and carnivores (herbivores were rishis and intllectuals and advised different clans of people without fighting to solve their problems). Carnivores were hunters and gatherers (they just roamed around and had no time to know what is right or wrong since their timing just like ours went for their daily bread winning..that's what now happening in a mechanical society which only care for their daily bread winning). Herbivores people started living sedentary life and they never moved very far. When they wanted to meditate in different places, carnivores people helped them to find caves, made the kamandala and helped them to meditate peacefully without disturbance from outside. In turn herbivores helped to protect carnivores clan people.This only led to the welfare and introduction of veda or harmonious way of living. When they settled in river valley, they combined and omnivores people reared the land , graced the cattle and look after improving the wealth.At that time many occupations based on their natural trait occurred. After that since all can't become owners, some of the people served these people .This only led to the four varnas.Even in office we have research oriented , administrators and executives, sales and marketing people and other ordinary clarks, accounts people and people who bring tea and coffee and do office duties based on the requirement of the office.Therefore in every office these 4 types of people are there.Kindly try to understand in broader perspective.

 

[vignesh2014]

Kindly don't oppose for the sake of opposing..just think about it , analyse it , absorb the main points told and then think in your perspective what is wrong and tell about it.Thinking should be in a very broader term encompassing the type of problems which will be faced to implementing the system rather than just for the sake of opposing or saying some empty slogans as some world leader or some religious leader told this like that.

 

[vignesh2014]

In any society thinker, Administrator or Executive, Wealth creator and workman people are needed.without this no society can function well.that's why they are regarded as limbs of society.It is not to degrade any one. Some work naturally come to some people. They will excel in it. Even in office, they give it to people who perform very well a particular work rather than giving all work to all. You may argue work rotation will be there. But this is due to insufficient people organization or where pay is low for the staff or some people may do two routines.It is generally not advisable for people to ride on two horses simultaneously. whatever i say people will argue i know. Through arguments nothing can be achieved.fruitful discussion should lead to a conclusion instead of confusion.

 

[Raji Ram]

:ranger: . . . . . . :dizzy: