A thought on ChaturvarNas

     The intent of this article is to bring some clarity on the issue of “chaturvarnas” extensively mentioned and discussed in the Vedic literature, its products sutra grandhas (aphorisms), the Bhagavadgita and Mahaabharata. Most people without understanding the underlying bases for this system of classification- readily dub it as the “caste system”. This is highly deplorable given such conclusions are not based on Veda, but on someone’s distorted commentary. Veda guides the bhaaratiya jIvana vidhana (life style of Hindu Indians). Sanaatana dharma prescribes a life style based on four purushaarthas (things that every person must achieve before death). These are the dharma, artha, kaama and mOkSha. Every Hindu before participating in any life-related (e.g. Wedding, Upanayana etc) or god-related (e.g. Puja, Homa etc) activities takes an oath to abide by this path. The order of these words and the adherence to this path is also important. It suggests that staying on the dharmic path one should fulfill his/her desires (kaama) and acquire artha (material) that ultimately leads to mOksha. It is important to note here that mOksha does not come after death. mOksha should be arrived while being alive. These four (dharma, artha, kaama and mOkSha) act like rungs of a ladder to facilitate the upward movement of an individual. Unfortunately, most people trim the staring and ending words dharma and mOksha, respectively, and engage exclusively in the artha-kaama cycles and as a result lose the path. Consequently, although they might appear to be righteous to general populace, Veda generally regards them as mudha (ignorant). Such individuals will never attempt to find mOksha. Skipping any steps in the path is like to ignore a doctor’s medical prescription and hoping to be cured of the disease. Because of the choices made, and consequently the actions and experiences, such individuals continue to engage in cycles of dukha (sorrow) and sukha (pleasure). Those who stayed on the prescribed path will find aananda (bliss). A person’s ability to stay in the prescribed path is controlled by triguNani (three fundamental properties): sattva, raja and tamas. No single person will have 100% of any of the said properties. Their ratios vary depending on the individuals knowledge and understanding of the world. The person with highest sattva guNa, a small amount of rajOguNa and little or no tamOguNa is interested in studying the world, his/her relationship with it, believes in learning and teaching truth to others with a final goal to find mOksha. The person with highest rajO guNa, moderate level Sattva guNa and little tamO guNa is highly active but mOksha is somewhat is appealing to him/her. The actions of the fist two persons are not selfish at all. A person with high rajO guNa, moderate tamO guNa and a small amount of sattva guNa acts with some amount of selfishness. The fourth type is made of highest level of tamO guNa, with little or no rajO and tamO guNas. Such individual will never understand anything, not have any goals and not interested in anything the world offers, other than eating, drinking and indulgence. Based on the above points entire humanity is grouped into brahma, kShatriya, vaishya and shUdra, respectively.

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---Dhan Kalvakolanu, Ph.D.