Hinduism - The four classes of the society

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Encyclopedia II - Hinduism - Denominations

Each of the Hinduism's four major denominations share rituals, beliefs, traditions and personal deities with one another, but each sect has a different philosophy on how to achieve life's ultimate goal (moksha, salvation) and on their concept of God (Īshvara). However, each denomination respects all others, and conflict of any kind is rare. In fact, many Hindus will not claim to belong to any denomination at all. Contemporary Hinduism is now divided into four major divisions, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smārtism. Just as th ...

Including:

Hinduism - Core Concepts

Hinduism - Origins and society

Hinduism - Hindu philosophy: the six Vedic schools of thought

Hinduism - Alternative cultures of worship

Hinduism - Important symbolism and themes in Hinduism

Hinduism - Criticism

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Hinduism - The four classes of the society: The Four Castes in Hinduism

In Purusha-Sukta of the Rig-Veda, there is reference to the division of Hindu society into four classes. It is described there that the Brahmanas came out of the face of the Lord, the Creator, Kshatriyas from His arms, Vaisyas from His thighs, and the Sudras from His feet.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Encyclopedia II - Criticism of Hinduism - Social oppression

Criticism of Hinduism - Varna System. The division of society into four heirachial classes has resulted in much social oppression of the lowest caste, the Shudras. Critics also decry the socio-political fragmentation caused by the caste system. For example, there are over 80 subcastes of brahmins, and the Jat Hindu communities of Punjab and Haryana are considered a separa ...

Criticism of Hinduism, Criticism of Hinduism - Social oppression, Criticism of Hinduism - Varna System, Criticism of Hinduism - Status of Women, Criticism of Hinduism - Hindu Response and reform, Criticism of Hinduism - Hindu fundamentalism, Criticism of Hinduism - Hindu response, Criticism of Hinduism - Ideology clash with Abrahamic religions, Criticism of Hinduism - Hindu renaissance

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Sanskrit Hinduism Dictionary II on vaishyas

vaishyas:

person belonging to the third of the four hindu classes of society, traditionally an artisan or skilled labourer, people of commercial values

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Sanskrit Hinduism Dictionary II on kshatriya

kshatriya:

people of political values, belonging to the second of the four hindu classes of society, traditionally a warrior, ruler or administrator

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on Chaturdharma

There are four principal kinds of dharma, as follows. They are known collectively as - chaturdharma: "four religious laws."

rita: "Universal law." The inherent order of the cosmos. The laws of being and nature that contain and govern all forms, functions and processes, from galaxy clusters to the power of mental thought and perception.
varna dharma: (Sanskrit) "Law of one's kind." Social duty. Varna can mean "race, tribe, appearance, character, color, social standing, etc." Varna dharma defines the individual's obligations and responsibilities within the nation, society, community, class, occupational subgroup and family. An important part of this dharma is religious and moral law. See: jati, varna dharma.
ashrama dharma: "Duties of life's stages." Human or developmental dharma. The natural process of maturing from childhood to old age through fulfillment of the duties of each of the four stages of life- brahmachari (student), grihastha (householder), vanaprastha (elder advisor) and sannyasa (religious solitaire)- in pursuit of the four human goals: dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (liberation). See: ashrama dharma.
svadharma: "Personal path, pattern or obligation." One's perfect individual pattern through life, according to one's own particular physical, mental and emotional nature. Svadharma is determined by the sum of past karmas and the cumulative effect of the other three dharmas. It is the individualized application of dharma, dependent on personal karma, reflected on one's race, community, physical characteristics, health, intelligence, skills and aptitudes, desires and tendencies, religion, sampradaya, family and guru.

(See also: Chaturdharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on Varna dharma

varna dharma: (Sanskrit) "The way of one's kind."

The hereditary social class system, generally referred to as caste, established in India in ancient times. Within varna dharma are the many religious and moral codes which define human virtue. Varna dharma is social duty, in keeping with the principles of good conduct, according to one's community, which is generally based on the craft or occupation of the family.

Strictly speaking it encompasses two interrelated social hierarchies: 1) varna, which refers to the four classes: brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra; and 2) jati, the myriad occupational subgroups, or guilds, which in India number over 3,000. Hence this dharma is sometimes called jati dharma.

The class-caste system is still very much a part of Indian life today. Many modern Hindus propose that social status is now (and was originally) more properly determined by a person's skills and accomplishments than by birth. Mobility between jatis, or castes, within Hindu communities worldwide is limited but not impossible, and is accomplished through marrying into a new jati, or changing professions through persistence, skill and education. Shastris say that once a person breaks out of his varna or jati of birth and changes "caste," it takes three generations for his family to become fully established in that new strata of society, provided the continuity is unbroken.

(See also: Varna dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on Varna dharma

varna dharma: (Sanskrit) "The way of one's kind."

The hereditary social class system, generally referred to as caste, established in India in ancient times. Within varna dharma are the many religious and moral codes which define human virtue. Varna dharma is social duty, in keeping with the principles of good conduct, according to one's community, which is generally based on the craft or occupation of the family.

Strictly speaking it encompasses two interrelated social hierarchies: 1) varna, which refers to the four classes: brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra; and 2) jati, the myriad occupational subgroups, or guilds, which in India number over 3,000. Hence this dharma is sometimes called jati dharma.

The class-caste system is still very much a part of Indian life today. Many modern Hindus propose that social status is now (and was originally) more properly determined by a person's skills and accomplishments than by birth. Mobility between jatis, or castes, within Hindu communities worldwide is limited but not impossible, and is accomplished through marrying into a new jati, or changing professions through persistence, skill and education. Shastris say that once a person breaks out of his varna or jati of birth and changes "caste," it takes three generations for his family to become fully established in that new strata of society, provided the continuity is unbroken.

(See also: Varna dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on Varna dharma

varna dharma: (Sanskrit) "The way of one's kind."

The

hereditary social class system, generally referred to as

caste, established in India in ancient times. Within varna

dharma are the many religious and moral codes which

define human virtue. Varna dharma is social duty, in

keeping with the principles of good conduct, according to

one's community, which is generally based on the craft or

occupation of the family.

Strictly speaking it encompasses two interrelated social hierarchies:

1) varna, which refers to the four classes: brahmin, kshatriya, vaishya and

shudra; and

2) jati, the myriad occupational subgroups, or

guilds, which in India number over 3,000. Hence this

dharma is sometimes called jati dharma.

The class-caste

system is still very much a part of Indian life today. Many

modern Hindus propose that social status is now (and was

originally) more properly determined by a person's skills

and accomplishments than by birth. Mobility between

jatis, or castes, within Hindu communities worldwide is

limited but not impossible, and is accomplished through

marrying into a new jati, or changing professions through

persistence, skill and education. Shastris say that once a

person breaks out of his varna or jati of birth and changes

"caste," it takes three generations for his family to become

fully established in that new strata of society, provided the

continuity is unbroken.

(See also: Varna dharma, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Hinduism - The four classes of the society: Hindu - Hinduism Dictionary on Varna

varna: The four varnas are as follows.

- brahmin (brahmana): "Mature, evolved soul." Scholarly, pious souls of exceptional learning. Hindu scriptures traditionally invest the brahmin class with the responsibility of religious leadership, including teaching and priestly duties.

- kshatriya: "Governing; endowed with sovereignty." Lawmakers and law enforcers and military, also known as rajanya.

- vaishya: "Landowner, merchant." Businessmen, financiers, industrialists; employers. Those engaged in business, commerce and agriculture.

- shudra: (Sanskrit) "Worker, servant." Skilled artisans and laborers. It is in keeping with varna dharma that sons are expected to follow the occupation of their father, as that is the occupation that was chosen prior to birth.

- jati: "Birth; position assigned by birth; rank, caste, family, race, lineage." Jati, more than varna, is the specific determinant of one's social community. Traditionally, because of rules of purity each jati is excluded from social interaction with the others, especially from interdining and intermarriage.

In modern times there is also a large group (oneseventh of India's population in 1981) outside the four varnas. These are called scheduled classes, untouchables, jatihita ("outcaste"), chandalas (specifically those who handle corpses) and harijan, a name given by Mahatma Gandhi, meaning "children of God." "Untouchable" jatis included the nishada (hunter), kaivarta (fisherman) and karavara (leather worker).

The varna dharma system - despite its widespread discrimination against harijans, and the abuse of social status by higher castes - ensures a high standard of craftsmanship, a sense of community belonging, family integrity and religio-cultural continuity.

Caste is not unique to Hinduism and India. By other names it is found in every society. The four varnas, or classes, and myriad jatis, occupational castes, or guilds, form the basic elements of human interaction.

See: dharma, Dharma Shastras, jati.

(See also: Varna, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)