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Principles
and Practice of Hindu Religion A
Comprehensive Study of the Ancient Tradition and
the Perennial Philosophy | Epilogue
: Progress,
Prosperity & Problems
| A
Time to Think About It is Now The
Decline of the Society and
a Time for Renaissance |
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E
- 04 - : Classes
and Divisions in Hindu Society
The
laws of Varna Dharma and Ashrama Dharma |
In
the classless society, Vedas established the Four colors or qualities, "Varnas"
according to each person's physical and mental capacity, capability, ambition
and desires. Thus the classes of "Educators, Warriors, Merchants and Servants"
as social classes of equal levels, a vertical division of the society, was established
to perform all the duties. The activities of the communities were organized with
a division of labor in an efficient way. As the Vedic rituals became very elaborate
and complicated, the priests had an upper hand in the society in the maintenance
of Dharma (the rule of law). They could command a leadership over the people and
their kings. The kings naturally had the power and physical leadership of the
people. Often the priests were considered to be at a lower level in the ladder.
This caused a competition among them in the name of the religion, God and the
society. This is similar to the social histories of many other regions of the
world, where every group wanted to show their superiority to another group and
rule over them. |
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The
"Varna Dharma" were originally instituted according to one's ability, ambition
and knowledge and as inborn (genetic) qualities, very much like in any educational
or social institution. The Vedic teachings describe the three "Gunas" or personal
qualities of people, namely "Satvika", "Rajasika" and "Tamasika". Different Varna
will have different combination of Gunas. Purusha Sukta in Rigveda describes the
four Varnas which should be taken as to mean the "Gunas" or individual characters
and not families of persons. Some people say there were only three Varnas. All
are eligible to study the Vedas. "Janmanaa Jayate' Sudrah: Samskaaraah Dwija Uchyathe'.
Veda Pathanthu Vipraaha Brahma Jñanamthu Brahmanaaha." All are born as Sudras.
After they dedicate their life to the teachings of the Vedas and gain the wisdom
and knowledge of "Brahman", they become "Brahmana". This is just to show that
all these qualities work together as essential parts or limbs of the society.
Perhaps the Gunas and the Varnas belong to the "Soul" as a person's desire and
not to the body by his birth. However, the greatest misfortune for the Hindu society
is the later changes that occurred about "Varna Dharma".
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Sanãthana
Dharma ãsthra |
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, 03 , 04 , 05
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