Comments on: Caste system is not vedic

By: Gurudev

Gurudev — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:35:41 +0000

Very true. Calling varna system as caste system is similar to calling modern differentiation between IIT graduates and daily wages labourers as caste system.

By: om

om — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:49:56 +0000

Caste is by profession[karma and gyan] which covers qualities,nature,birth etc.So every caste is equal in status and opportunities .We have misunderstood,misinterpreted knowingly and unknowingly due to our selfishness and superiority or ignorance .So UNO and govts and societies should deal accordingly.Equal castes and equal opportunities and services.

By: priya

priya — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:38:23 +0000

awesome article gurudev…

Feel very sad that people here have misinterpreted the meaning of “”caste system”" and gather information about it from sources who want to use it for their own selfish interests.

I feel very strongly about it as I am a brahmin (Iyengar) by birth and my entire life has been shattered by this as my family wants to forcibly marry a guy from the same caste even though i like someone else

I have been undergoing this for 10 long years…and i still wait for the day they realize that caste system is nothing to do with birth but to do with the deeds or the knowledge gathered. I dont think I have the strength left to continue this with my family at the same time don’t want to hurt them…just leading a terrible terrible life…hope i hang on to my life till it becomes too late and i decide one day to just end it all…. (sigh)

By: Padmanabha Rao

Padmanabha Rao — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:42:34 +0000

I live in India. I believe in caste by birth. I think the absence in society today of actual kshatriyas, actual brahmins, actual sudras and actual vaisyas leads to formations of political groups in place of the castes. The representative democrasy system of national governance ensures the sustenance and flourishing of the political formations. I should know. A brahmin by birth, I am anything but a brahmin.

By: Gurudev

Gurudev — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:48:35 +0000

Yes Black Man, you are absolutely right. People have been misguided for ages in the name of caste system. And certain vested interests want this system to continue even today for their own politicial/ideological purposes.

Only proper education and information can eliminate the notion of caste system.
Varanashrama is all about calling doctor a doctor, merchant a merchant, labourer a labourer! It has nothing to do with either the skin color or the birth of the person, its all about one’s profession.

Yes will definitely list more resources as and when I find them. Thank you very much for your nice, wise thoughtful comments

By: ursri

ursri — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:33:54 +0000

Few info about diff. btwn brahmin and Kshatriya.

1. Vedas were taught to one and all in Gurukul.
Ref 1: Kuchela(Brahmin), Krishna (Kshatriya by Birth but Yadav(merchant??? -Vaishya ) as he was adopted and brought up by Nanda & Yashoda)
Ref 2: Ashwatthama – Son of Dronacharya (Brahmin), Kauravas & Pandavas (Kshatryiyas)

2. Kshatriya must use Vedas to protect & rule the nation as per Dharma but Cannot teach
Ref: All most all Kshatriyas mentioned in sacred books
Exception 1: Vishwamitra- born Kshatriya was Guru for Ram & Lakshman. But he is one among Saptarshi and wanted to challenge Dhasharata’s Kulaguru Vasashta Muni as he was his arch rival.

3. Only Brahmins have the Authotity to teach Vedas but cannot rule the nation
Exception 1: Parashurama – Brahmin by Birth , Kshatriya by practice. But still he was a teacher by profession. Ref: He was teacher to Karna who was in disguise.

Exception 2: Kautilya/Chanakya – Author of Artashastra
Due to his oath to bring Chandragupta to throne and dethrone Nada’s he had to get into politics. But once Chandragupta attained the capability rule on his own, Kautilya returned back to his profession-teaching though he could earned enormous wealth, land and fame if he had continued to be in politics.

Exception 3: Vidhyaranya & Vijayanagara Dyanstry
Young brahmin student who rescued hindu lady carried in palaquin being attached by Mlecchas. When questioned by all on why brahmin to be defensive – the act of kshatriya against brahmin dharma, it was mentioned that the boy protected lady who is equivalent to motherly figure-A Goddess- which is duty of every individual. Same boy was none other than Vidhyaranya Ace architech/builder Vijayanagara Dynasty. He continued his profession as teacher even when kingdom was flourishing.

By: Black Man ;)

Black Man ;) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:32:35 +0000

This has been very pleasing to read. I’m actually in the process of writing a book on this topic, which will be the doctorial thesis…which ever comes first.
Anyhow, I’m interested because I’m a African American Vaishnava in the Madhava Sampradaya. This is my life. Having some compassion has made me think about how I can help some ppl of background. I’m seeing how so called lower caste indians (Dalits) have been seeking guidance in Black Power movements that were so successful in the 60’s.
What is sad to see is that they are teaming together and saying that Brahminical culture is the cause of Dalit oppression. See publications by V.T. Rajshekar (Dalit, the black untouchables of India). The find shelter in British Colonial brainswashing tactics like the Aryan Invasion theory to support their ideas. Stating that Varna is based on the color of the skin they criticizing and trying sympathizers around the world. Ignoring the fact that Sukadeva Goswami, Vysasdeva, Arjuna, Prahlad, Indra, Krsna (of course) and many of the great leader of the Puranas and other vedic literatures are said to have jet black skin…they were in know way known as sudras but were described as have “”arya”" qualities with skin being darker than most have seen today.
For me true brahminical is the essence of being human. Compassion, humility, self-control, austerity, using your intellect for the betterment of mankind, and training yourself and teaching others what will benefit them to the highest degree…this is Brahminical. Something that any respectable man should strive to be. Anyway I’m rambling. Keep up the good work. Please list more sources that could assist me in my writing. We have a duty to preserve the idea of a true brahmana.

By: Gurudev

Gurudev — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:06:00 +0000

To put it more precisely Braahman is the one who understands Brahma (universe).

By: Shiva

Shiva — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:55:23 +0000

Adding to Muthukaruppan’s explanation,

Braahman is one who is close (or closer) to Brahman (the Godhead)

By: Suchin

Suchin — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 07:14:18 +0000

Has Becky converted to Hindu already? No sign of him/her!