Caste System continued

The Brahmins established proper dress code to be followed inside temples. In today’s society we make sure that we dress properly and follow proper protocol, when we get a chance to meet with a VIP. If we go to all these troubles to make ourselves presentable when we meet a VIP who is after all human, shouldn’t we take extra care to follow proper dress code and protocol when we are in the presence of God?

The caste system deteriorated only during the Middle Ages when undue advantage of the lower castes was taken by a selfish few. In ancient times everyone was treated fairly. In the Valmiki Ramayana it is mentioned that many Sudras were invited to the yagna performed by King Dasharatha and they were given gifts for attending the event.

 There are also many Maha Rishis who started out as a member of a lower caste but were given the opportunity for higher learning because of their abilities. Vidhura in Mahabharata was a Sudra as his mother was a Sudra; despite his caste he received higher education as he showed aptitude. He was revered and he held an important position in the ministry.

The profession based caste system slowly became a birth right as it was thought that aptitude was inherited. A son of a potter would have inherited the aptitude and knack for making pottery and he could also get additional training and guidance from his parent. This principle is still followed in today’s society; an applicant to med school gets extra points if the applicant’s parent is a doctor.

In summary, the division of labour into castes was an efficient way of maintaining order in the society. Every caste had a set of rules or dharma to follow. They lived by these rules. It was considered un-lawful for a Brahmin to accumulate wealth where as it was the right of a Vaisyas. Brahmins were prohibited to eat meat or drink alcohol whereas this was allowed for the Kshatriyas. The Kshatriyas had to undergo rigorous military training. They required higher percentage of protein in their diet and hence were allowed to eat meat to build muscle mass. They were also allowed to drink alcohol as it was used as pain killer to treat war injuries.

Thus the caste system was integral to maintaining order in the ancient Vedic society. It prevented unwanted competition and allowed people to follow the profession based on the Laws of Dharma and Karma. It also encouraged people to follow a profession they were good at. It was not used as a tool to discriminate against people.The people belonging to the past three yuga cycles followed the laws of Sanatana Dharma. They had better understanding about the equality of all souls. They knew that the soul does not perish whereas the body decays with time; hence, they spent more time on spiritual quest and they treated everyone equally. The goodness in people decays with each yuga (era). Krita or Satya yuga was the golden period where there was no decay.In Treta yuga, dharma decreased by 25%; there was 75% virtue and 25% sin. Dwapara yuga decayed further; there was 50% virtue and 50% sin. The present yuga is Kali yuga which is the age of decay; there is 25% virtue and 75% sin in the Kali yuga. Hence, in the Kali yuga spiritual quest and thirst for spiritual knowledge is less. The Kali yuga is fueled by materialistic attitudes. People will be self-centered. Ego rules in the present age of Kali yuga; people forget that the body will decay but the soul is everlasting. They forget about the equality of souls and start to mistreat others. It is mentioned in some of the texts that sometimes demons or Asuras take a human form in the Kali yuga; they cause more trouble in the society by oppressing others so that they can be powerful. It is because of such people that the Caste System deteriorated but we have to remember that such people are not just limited to India. We find them everywhere and in every country; discrimination is a widespread problem based on race, colour, gender etc. Thus, it is not fair to point a finger at Hindus as it is only in Sanatana Dharma we find universal brotherhood; not just among people but also between people, animals, birds, microbes, plants and every living being. A rat, a crow or a man, all are equal from the point of view of the atman.

My next post will be on women in Vedic society.