Caste System continued

 contd from: http://thoughtsonsanathanadharma.blogspot.ca/2012/01/caste-system-continued.html

The Vaisyas were farmers & merchants with aptitude in economics. They were responsible for trade and for improving the overall economy of the country. Lastly the Sudras belonged to the worker class. The word Sudra means hard-working and they were considered to be the foundation of the society.

The caste was not a birth right and anyone who showed ability and aptitude to learn the tasks of another caste was allowed to be trained in the profession of their choice. It was believed that everyone was born as a Sudra; they became a Brahmin, Kshatriyas or Vaisyas based on their education and training. This completion of education was considered to be a second birth and they were often called “Dwija” or twice-born. Anyone who failed to receive higher education remained as Sudra even if that person was a child of a Brahmin or a Kshatriyas. Hence, people had the independence to move up or down the caste ladder with proper training. Sons of the great sage Vishwamitra became Sudra. Vishwamitra himself was a Kshatriyas who later became a Brahmin. The Mahabharata mentions the story of a rishi whose mother was a daasi of low character; he was accepted in to the Vedic School as he exhibited aptitude and good traits. Thus he became a Brahmin and a rishi. 

To be continued