Lecture#5: Varna-Ashram Dharmabalaviharganeshatempletn.org/downloaddoc/classfile/56a... · Reita...
Transcript of Lecture#5: Varna-Ashram Dharmabalaviharganeshatempletn.org/downloaddoc/classfile/56a... · Reita...
Reita Agarwal Page 1
Lecture#5: Varna-Ashram Dharma According to Hindu scriptures, Varnashrama-dharma is not a man-made system but refers to natural classifications that appear to various degrees in all human societies even today. Varna means “to describe” or classify like color, form, quality, based on similar attributes. Eg classification of animal or plant kingdom. Eg.2 developed or underdeveloped countries. Individuals have different innate tendencies (karma-action & guna-quality) for work and exhibit a variety of personal qualities. Every individual has various ratios of rajas, tamasic, and sattvic tendencies. Hinduism teaches that individual’s best realize their potential by taking into account such natural innate tendencies and perform a role in society. Coffee and its ingredients are equally important for TASTY COFFEE same is true for 4 castes. Society is divided into four main groups based on innate tendencies and profession in the society (with a fifth, "the untouchables," outside of the caste system).
Varna Role Body=Society Today Role
Brahmin-Seers.
Laid foundation of progress of humanity
Intellectuals, spiritual leaders
“think tank”
Mouth, head Philosophers, scientist, teachers, religious leaders
Kshatriya: Warriors.
Protectors & Administrators’ of society
formerly nobles, rajahs, warriors
Implement Ideals of intellectuals.
Arms and chest Soldiers, politicians, administrators-ceo etc
Vaishya: Traders
skillful producers or traders of material things
producers, the craftsmen, artisans, farmers
Abdoman and thighs
Merchants, doctors, businessmen
Shudra: unskilled laborers.
Followers or the maintenance people.
menial workers or hard laborers.
Legs, feet Supporting, transporter
Dalits untouchables Outside of caste unskilled cleaning
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Each varna and ashram has its own specified dharma. What may be desirable for one
section of society may be degrading for another. For example, absolute non-violence,
which includes refraining from animal sacrifice, is essential for the priestly class but
considered wholly unworthy of a kshatriya (warrior). Underlying all these apparent
differences is the common goal of advancing in spiritual life based on sanatana-dharma.
Without the spiritual equality and sense of service inherent in sanatana-
dharma, varnashrama-dharma tends to degrade into the rigid and exploitative caste
system. Every society or organization has people who give suggestions, others who put
plans into action, others who do fund raising and still others who do whatever practical
labor needs to be done. So a person maybe predominately a thinker, leader, business
person or worker, to run a project or organization. Problems arise only when we assume
a mistaken sense of superiority and inferiority. Then revolt occurs to balance it.
The social body and its components are likened to the human form Brahma.
Society is compared to a body with the brahmanas as the head, kshatriyas as the
arms, vaishyas as the belly (or thighs) and the shudras as the legs
Social functions are determined according to this analogy. For example,
the brahmanas are the eyes and mouth of society. They provide a spiritual vision
for society and teach people accordingly. Just as the arms are raised to defend the
body, the kshatriya's main duty is to protect society. The vaishya's main duty is
material nourishment, and the shudra supports all other sections of society.
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Disaster Has Occurred. What type of people do you need to normalize the situation? Think in
terms of “caste/profession” and “type of action/work” that needs to be done.