Ashrama & Varna

Ashrama - The Four Stages Of Life

The polarity of asceticism and sensuality, which assumes the form of a conflict between the aspiration for liberation and the heartfelt desire to have descendants and continue earthly life, manifests itself in Hindu social life as the tension between the different goals and stages of life. For many centuries the relative value of an active life and the performance of meritorious works (Pravritti), as opposed to the renunciation of all worldly interests and activity (Nivriti), has been a much-debated issue. While philosophical works such as the Upanishad emphasized renunciation, the dharma texts argued that the householder who maintains his sacred fire, begets children, and performs his ritual duties well also earns religious merit.

Nearly 2,000 years ago these dharma texts elaborated the social doctrine of the four Ashrama (“abodes”).

One should first become a chaste student (Brahmacharin);
Then become a married householder (Grihastha), discharging his debts to his ancestors by begetting sons and to the gods by sacrificing;
Then retire (as a Vanaprastha), with or without his wife, to the forest to devote himself to spiritual contemplation;
And finally, but not mandatorily, become a homeless wandering ascetic (Sannyasin).

The situation of the forest dweller was always a delicate compromise that was often omitted or rejected in practical life.

Varna - The Social Class System

Varna refers to the four traditional social classes of India, and is a controversial topic in Hinduism. During the Vedic period when every individual had their duties according to their own nature, they were regulated by the system of four Varna (social duty) and four Ashrama (stages of life).

During the Vedic period, people were not classified according to their economic standard but as per their Varna. According to Hindu scriptures, society was classified into 4 main Varna:

Brahmana (The Superior One, Priests, Teachers, and Intellectuals)
Kshatriya or Rajanya (Warriors, Police, and Administrators)
Vaishya also called Vysya (Agriculturalists, Merchants or Traders)
Shudra (Artisans and Workers)

Varna In The Bhagavad Gita

According to Bhagavad-Gita 18.41, “Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra are distinguished by the qualities born of their own nature in accordance with the three material qualities.”

It is believed that all humans by birth were Shudra. At different stages of life when people complete their basic education, they are said to have their basic traits identified and when they take on some profession, they are said to have taken a re-birth. This is the reason Brahmana, Kshatriya, and Vaishya are called DWIJ (twice-born). Thus, a person's Varna is determined by his/her skillset and competency.

Varna In The Purusha Suktam

Varna was first mentioned in Purusha Sukta of Rig Veda. In the Rig Veda, Purusha Suktam verse (RV 10.90.11-12), Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra are said to be the constitute of the primordial Purusha. The Brahman formed his mouth, both his arms made of the Rajanya or Kshatriya. His thighs of the Vaishya, and his feet the Shudra.

Varna In The Dharma Shastra (The Outcasts)

It is believed that people who commit grievous sins, who are unrighteous or unethical are considered outside the Varna system.

The Dharma Shastra had specific guidelines for each of the four Varna, with regard to their moral and religious duties, punishments, and atonements. With respect to their approach and attitude towards the four Varna, they were decidedly discriminatory.

According to their caste, they also had different punishments for people while the status of children and their inheritance depended upon the Varna-purity of their parents.

The Varna does not, in any sense, resemble the modern era caste system that is being practiced now. As mentioned in ancient text purity-impurity cannot be determined on the basis of the Varna system but only in the context of an individual’s morality, and karma via their thoughts, speech & actions.

The only mention of impurity in the Shastra found is about ‘fallen people’ who commit grievous sin and thereby fall out of their Varna and they could be anyone irrespective of their Varna as all four Varna could attain sin by their ethical intent or actions.

Manusmriti text shows Vaishya as cattle rearing occupation whereas historical evidence also shows that even Brahmana, Kshatriya, and Shudra also owned and reared cattle. In ancient times cattle-wealth was the main component of each household.

Varna in Mahabharata

Bhagavad-Gita describes that people are children of Brahman so the four Varna are not hereditary but categories. Four Varna are just the distribution of duties according to the gunas born of the Prakriti (own nature).

Duties Of Each Varna

1) Brahmana: The Brahmana class was the superior class and said to be the state of a man dedicated to truth and pure conduct. Priests, Guru, Rishi, teachers, and scholars combinedly form a Brahmin community. Also, Brahmana occupied the highest position, as gods upon earth. Except in certain Vedic, where they had to sit below the king, because of which their position in society was unbeatable.

Brahmana vowed to remain Brahmacharya (celibacy), got married just for reproducing. The Brahmana provide education and spiritual leadership and therefore were the first choice as tutors for the newborn specially Kshatriya.

Brahmana developed all ideal qualities, especially honesty, integrity, cleanliness, purity, austerity, knowledge, and wisdom leading all seekers to supreme knowledge. The control of mind and the senses, knowledge of Veda was essential from Brahmana. However, attaining the knowledge and cultivation of one’s intellect could lead anyone from other Varna to be a Brahmana.

2) Kshatriya: After the Brahmana, there were Kshatriya. They were the most powerful ones as the warrior clan, the kings, rulers, and administrators constitute Kshatriya. They had the right to claim the authority of God to rule upon the earth as his representatives and enforce laws.

Kshatriya were sent to Brahmana’s Ashrama from a very early age to gain requisite knowledge.

Prowess, boldness, fortitude, dexterity, generosity, and sovereignty are the duties of the Kshatriya. It was their fundamental duty to protect the kingdom, citizens, and territory, fight against attacks, provide justice to extend peace and happiness in the society.

They were supposed to conquer their own minds and senses and enjoy only according to scriptural injunction. Contrary to popular belief, Kshatriya women were equally capable as Kshatriya men and would take responsibility for shortcomings in their kingdom and defend the kingdom in times of distress.

3) Vaishya: After Kshatriya, there were Vaishya. They are the most productive class. Agriculturalists, traders, farmers, merchants, and business people comprised the Vaishya. They were supposed to give taxes to the Kshatriya (ruling class).

Cattle rearing is one of the most esteemed occupations of the Vaishya, it was their duty to protect animals and the land. They generated wealth and prosperity to maintain workers with a sufficient amount of food, clothes.

As the quality of the kingdom’s animals (cows, elephants, horses) affected the associated prosperity of citizens, Vaishya would contribute to the constant up-gradation of the living standard by providing profit and economic prospects.

4) Shudra: The last Varna after Vaishya was Shudra. While other Varna are occupationally and financially self-sufficient, they were the only ones allowed to accept another’s employment.

Artisans and workers comprised Shudra. Shudra would serve the Brahmina in their Ashrama, Kshatriya in their palaces and princely camps, and Vaishya in their commercial activities. Their duty was to render services which led to them being the backbone of a prosperous economy. Each Shudra have their own sets of conduct towards their life duties. They were loyal and their selflessness makes them worthy of regard and respect.

Purpose Of The Varna System

The stratification of people based on their Varna was to hold the responsibilities of one’s life and society. It was believed that performing and being dedicated to each other’s respective duties would lead to established society and avoid all forms of disputes.

In this system, specific tasks are designated to each Varna citizen. Each Varna had their set of rules and regulations which were confined to their life duties to form a strong support system of the kingdom and lead to the prosperity of people.

Originally a categorization of occupation in society, it is unfortunate that it was misunderstood and misused later in time, and degenerated into a caste system to denote social status.

The 4 Varna are like 4 pillars supporting the edifice of society. Each Varna is essential for society to function properly, none is more important than the other.

Thus, it is important to understand the Varna as a distribution of duty in society, rather than a form of caste status.