::Complexity of Caste System in India::
In the year 1799 Christopher Apostople(1st Missionary) arrived in India.At that moment there was evil traditions like "Custom of burning Sati+Untouchability+Discrimination on education/social events based on different castes+Child marriage, etc" were existing in India.These were like loopholes in Bharatiya Society which had a rich cultural heritage & spiritual wisdom to be the Viswaguru(Master of World) but allowing external forces to make more disorder in Bharatiya society & create conflicts among own people.Till independence in 1947 many customs came under control by educating people but the tragedy happened such that politicians started to play the "Caste-politics" to appease their vote-bank.So instead of giving a permanent solution to this matter they are making people think with the same traditional manner of thinking implies with the evolve of time the human mind hasn't been conditioned or improved as much to tackle the problem or give a proper permanent solution.In one line it can be said that they are searching or representing the solution of a problem in an inappropriate manner & play with peoples' sentiments or even lives.
Today's Tragedy
Bhagwan Sathya SAI on 17/06/1961
There is no room for higher and lower among the aspects of Godhead; there is no room for inferior or superior
in status among the various sections of mankind. The Purusha Sukta speaks of the priestly caste (brahmin)
being the face, the protector caste (kshatriya) the hands, the business caste (vaisya) the thighs, and the labourer
caste (sudra), the feet of the Cosmic Purusha (Primeval Supreme Person, God). Apart from the figurative meaning
that the passage obviously carries, when God is one uniform sweetness and wisdom and grace, any part is as
sweet, as effulgent, as graceful as every other. A sugar doll is sweet all through; the limbs are as much sugar as the
head. The trouble comes and the quarrel starts only as a result of the want of love (prema) toward sugar.
Once you are established in love, you will not notice these differences any more; they will appear silly, stupid,
and meaningless. When there is no love, egoism has the upper hand; quarrels about your being superior and
others being inferior raise up their heads. You are in the holy presence of Divine Love Personified (Premaswarupa)
Himself, Badri Narayana; so you too must be full of love. Do not entertain any hatred or anger in your hearts.
While talking of doctors, I must also say that doctors who fight for the patient’s purse or who try to grab a
patient before a rival appropriates him are a danger to society. The doctor who despises other doctors, or sticks to
his own patent cures irrespective of the experience of failure, or is guided more by whims, fancies, and prejudices,or considers the patient’s caste rather than his disease as more important — such doctors are also dangerous. Today,
we find doctors and gurus who have deteriorated to the level of wrangling for patients and their purses, and
for the sake of their own or other people’s patent remedies.
The caste-stage (varna-ashrama) discipline is also intended for the gradual fixation of the mind on ultimate
merger with the Infinite. At each stage of life and for each social group, patterns of behaviour have been laid
down, modes of livelihood recommended, social rights and obligations prescribed — all with a view to the sublimation
of the instincts and the elevation of endeavour. The caste-stage discipline is a deep-rooted tree, the shade
of which affords shelter to all the various communities of humanity.
(Sathya Sai Speaks on 06/10/1962)
It is often said that the brahmin caste, out of hatred and contempt, has denied to the other castes the chance to
study the Vedas. If you go out to catch fish, you must equip yourself with the rod, the hook, and the bait to attract
the fish. If you desire to master the Vedas, you must have the rod of dharmic living, the hook of vedic Sanskrit,
and the bait, viz., the brahmin who is revered by the Vedas and who revered the Vedas in turn. The brahmin has
been prepared by a series of purificatory rituals. This enables and entitles the brahmin to pronounce the mantras
and to expound them.
Everyone has not won the same sublime impulses and impressions. All of you listen to Me, but do all of you
understand what I say to the same extent? Or, do all of you practise what I suggest to the same extent? No. Each
understands or practises according to the tendencies, the roots that those tendencies have laid in the mind. People
are not so uniform. One person is not equipped like another. It is a motley crowd of pilgrims, this humanity.
When born, the brahmin is a labourer (sudra); birth does not entitle him to take up the study of this Mystery,
even if the boy happens to be the son of a great vedic scholar! It is only when he has been formally initiated by a
special ceremony that he can start the study of the sacred scriptures. The ceremony makes him a brahmin; he is
then born again into a sacred world of study and responsibility.
Many brahmins have fallen from this responsibility of maintaining a certain ascetic simplicity of life and a
certain level of scholarship. When the pure metal has been turned into an alloy, it has to be put into the crucible
again. Again, whenever we find genuine vedic vessels like these pandits, we have to protect and preserve them. If
people sit quietly when stones are thrown on these vessels by little folk swayed by foolish hatred, the vessels will
be broken and Veda will also become inaccessible.
Caste and conduct are based on each other, and there is no caste without its corresponding conduct, or con-trolling restrictions. That is done for purposes of systematic training and for elevating the individual, not for suppressing
or cheating him. If a boy is admitted into the primary school or nursery school instead of a college, you
cannot say that he is cheated or treated with contempt. It is the first step toward college and a degree.But remember, the Lord makes no difference between caste and caste. What He cares for is virtue and singleminded
yearning. When the elephant Gajendra raised its trunk and surrendered to the Lord and prayed to Him for
succour, it was no longer a beast; its beasthood had dropped off. A piece of paper, however soiled or directed, is
valued and kept in the strong box as a precious possession once it has imprinted on it the insignia of the Reserve
Bank and is called a hundred-rupee note. Devotion makes the lowest into the rarest of men.
(Sathya Sai Speaks on 26/11/1962)
Devotion knows no caste; it saves all, ennobles all. Castes have no superiority or inferiority, according to
the Vedas. A sugar doll is all sugar. The hymn of Purusha Suktha speaks of the four castes having come from four
parts of His Body. The meaning is that all are equally high born and equally important. The mouth cannot walk,
nor can the feet talk. It is the voice that is obeyed and the arm that protects. Well, all those who felt (and follow
the feeling) that fighting is their righteous duty are protectors (kshatriyas), and all those who feel it their duty to
study the Vedas and the Sastras are brahmins — not those who feel it as their right!
Another point: you should all become more steady and regular in your spiritual effort. You must curb the
propensity to indulge in inane jabber and idle curiosity. Follow the discipline laid down for the Prasanthi Nilayam
and become examples for the newcomers! This applies to the men also. You will have noticed that I do not address
you as “dear devotees” at any time. For, to get that name, devotee, you must have dedication, unwavering faith,
and steady discipline.When the Attributeless and Formless is available here and now as “with Attributes and Form”, you must use
every moment to earn His grace.You do not realise your unique good fortune. In the years to come, people will revere you, for you had a
chance that millions could not get; they will worship your pictures in their shrines! Live and love in such a way
that you may deserve that honour.
Professor Anil Kumar in January,2008 with SAI
Anil Kumar: Swami! Our country, Bharat, is famous politically for its secular constitution. But, political parties interpret "secularism" in a variety of ways. Some offer distorted comments. I pray for your clarification.
SAI:"Secularism" does not mean atheism. A secular nation is not the land of Hiranayakasipu (the demon who desisted all from thinking of God), but one where each citizen follows his dharma, propagates and professes it freely without criticising other people's faiths and dharmas under any circumstances. Sanatana dharma does refer to the "secular". Sri Krishna remarks: Svadharme nidhanam s'reyah paradharmo bhayavahah.In other words, you should follow svadharma and notparadharma. But, there is a subtle point here. Svadharma does not mean the dharmas relating to one's caste, stage in life, or profession, as you imagine. Svadharma is Atmadharma, thedharma based on Atma consciousness, and paradharma isAnatmadharma based on non-atma (devoid of the spirit) that is, which relates to body consciousness.
Anil Kumar: Swami! Today a number of international organisations are striving for peace. It looks as though the guiding principles of these organisations are not focused properly. How then is peace to be achieved?
SAI:Their approach is defective. Where is peace? Peace is within you. You are the embodiment of peace. Peace is not to be found in the world outside. What lies outside is not peace, but pieces. First, achieve peace as an individual, then spread it in your family. Gradually you will enjoy peace in the community and then in the nation. Many countries stockpile atom bombs and other weapons of mass destruction, and ceaselessly go on chanting peace aphorisms. Is this peace?
~:New Update:~
Everyone in the world is the creature of one or the other of these three gunas. One's actions are
based on these gunas. The Varnas (categorisation of men under different types) in the Gita has
been made on the basis of their Gunakarma vibhaagashah (Respective qualities and actions). At
birth every person is ignorant. When he dies he should die as a Jnani (a man who has perceived
the truth). Likewise everyone is a Sudra at birth. This means he is an Ajnani (ignorant person).
But when he dies he should die as a Brahmana (ajnani, who has realised Brahman).
No high or low among the Varnas
It is on this basis that the four varnas (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra) had come into
existence. Those with predominantly Tamasic qualities comprise one group. Those who are
prone to excitement and anger form another category. And those who are inclined to renounce
everything and who are pure in thought, word and deed, form a third group. The ignorant and
dull-witted were described as Sudras. The excitable, the courageous and the high spirited were
described as the Kshatriyas. Those who were devoted to God and led a pure and sanctified life
were described as Brahmanas. These categories were associated with qualifies and actions.
Straying from this basic truth, the social system took a wrong turn. The result is that today
society is riven by innumerable divisions and conflicts. Actually among the Varnas (groups), one
cannot be called high and another low. For instance, Sage Vyasa classified the single corpus of
the Vedas into four different collections. Among the four, can one be ranked higher than
another? All have equal status and authority, are equally sacred and preach the same path of
righteousness. Likewise, when men are classified according to their qualities and vocations, one
category cannot be regarded as superior to another. No one is competent to determine such
ranking. It is through narrow-minded interpretations that such distinctions and divisions have
been made to the detriment of social harmony and progress.
The right to interpret the Sastras is given to the Brahmanas. But Brahmanas have been defined
as those who have made a thorough study of the Sastras, who have no self-interest and who live
up to Sastraic injunctions. Anyone may acquire these qualifications. They are not confined to
any caste on the basis of birth. Only qualities and actions are determining factors and not birth.A Kshatriya is one who is prepared to lay down his life for his country. The nation's safety
should mean more to him than the protection of his body. This attitude of sacrifice may be displayed by anyone and he should be regarded as a Kshatriya. All those engaged in agriculture
have been described as Sudras. Everyone needs food. If food is not grown by the so called
Sudras, the world will perish.
The entire purpose of classifying people according to their qualifications and functions is to
ensure that persons in each category carry on their duties with dedication. It is the failure to
maintain the purity and sacredness of the system as envisaged by the Sastras that has resulted in
indefensible divisions and social chaos.(Sathya Sai Speaks on 08/01/1988)
Prof. Anil Kumar:Swami! Kindly tell us what is to be done in our country now?
SAI:You should protect and uphold Sathya and Dharma (Truth and Righteousness). You should of necessity follow these twin principles. They will protect the entire universe. You should develop love for the universe in all its vastness and magnitude.Love all and serve all. You should rise above the narrow limits of caste, creed and nationality. You should believe in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God. You should never waste time. Gratitude must be expressed by rendering service to the society in which you are born, grew up, made money and earned reputation. Be patriotic and strive for integration, harmony, peace and security in society. You should follow and uphold the great and unique Indian culture.
It looks as if those people who argue that, “the abolition
of the Varna system will bring about human welfare,” are
the only ones anxious to promote human welfare! They
believe that those who consider the system to be beneficial
are really eager to promote the downfall of the human society!
Of course, both are delusions. But this much is true: Those
who support the Varnas are really more interested in the
promotion of human welfare. The others think that if Varna goes, they will be saving the country. That is a deluded
belief. If only virtues and faults are analysed carefully and
without prejudice, there will be an end of this uninformed
campaign of hatred and enmity. Then there will be a great
change in the attitude of people towards the Varna system. Now, instead of attending to essential tasks, people
are engaged in internecine struggle fearing that the Varnas
are great obstacles to progress. How can people who are
unable to keep their body under control keep the country within limits? Consider that the fostering of the Varna system,
which has been fostered so long by the ancients, is the
most beneficial thing that has to be done.One limb cannot carry out the duties of another.
Each must do the task allotted to it. If all start trading,
who will be the buyers? If all are engaged in fighting, who is
to provide the wherewithal for their upkeep and maintenance:
the food, the armour and the equipment?So too, each Varna
must carry out its allotted share of the activities of society
and contribute its best to the welfare of the country. As the
body has stages, society has the Varnas. The peace and happiness of
society will suffer even if a single Varna is slack in its task.
And all Varnas are worthwhile and valuable, as all limbs are
important. There is no higher or lower. Hatred and rivalry in
society are as harmful as the stoppage of work by all the
limbs in anger against the stomach! Limbs
are different, but the very same red blood flows in all and
animates all. There is no special variety for the hand or leg
or face.If hatred increases, it will not benefit anyone. To pursue
the ideal of “all are equal” is like running after the mirage to
slake one’s thirst. It will only breed discontent. The rulers
must now assemble and consult the representatives of the
people, namely, the pundits and experienced elders and
discuss the value of this ancient system of social
organisation. Instead, if they just decide on the basis of
external forms and features that there is some poison in this
and run into panic, that will only reveal their ignorance. The
rulers as well as the pundits both have the happiness of the
people at heart. Why this Varna system originated and with
what end in view, had led to comments because it was not
practised on the continued counsels of the wise.Of course, it is a fact that the system has veered from
the proper path and taken to moving in wrong directions.
This has been noted by many great men. But that cannot be
sufficient reason to throw it overboard. For the reason that
the leg is doing the work of the hand, and that the head is
performing the function of the feet, it is not advisable to cut
off hands and feet. Attempts have to be made to set things
right, rather than destroying the very system itself.The Varna system is not the cause of all this confusion
and unrest. The fault lies more in the haphazard manner in
which it has developed. It became a plaything in the hands
of all types of people. So it lost its original symmetry and
harmony. This system is essential, not merely for Bharath,
but even for the world. In countries outside India this system
is not absent. The name may be different, the working is the
same. There also there are four classes—the Sikshaka Varga
(Teachers), the Rakshaka Varga (Kings), the Vanig Varga
(Businessmen) and the Sramika Varga (Servants). But in
Bharath, the Vargas are decided by birth. In other parts of
the world, they are decided by karma, the work each is
engaged in. That is the distinction. I have established this
organisation in order to promote the welfare of the world,
i.e., Loka Kshema. The Varnas help man to engage himself
in acts that he finds congenial and to fulfil himself. Without
it, man cannot earn happiness for a moment.Those who oppose Varna system they are themselves creating another sect or religion or system of belief which only breeds differences*(Sathya Sai Speaks on Geetha Vahini,Chaptr. VII+VIII Excerpts)
