Hindu Caste System : Simplified

While the world is mincing itself under the clatter of differentiation on the basis of skin pigmentation, the Hindu society relies on a rather morbid yet complex structure known as Caste System. Dozens of articles have elaborated on the complexity of Hindu Caste System. A cohesive study of such a subject shall focus on various mythological origins which could be sourced to ancient Hindu textbooks known as Vedas and Upanishads. The post here shall simplify for readers belonging to both Hindu and non-Hindu societies. Starting from a highly untangled flowchart:

The entire caste system is branched into 4 major groups (or Varna) : Brahmin (the scholars and priests), Kshatriya (the warrior), Vaishya (accountants and tradesmen) and Shudra (the labourers). However, a fifth class of Harijan or ‘untouchables’ existed before its abolishment by the Indian constitution. Nevertheless, Harijan were never approved at any time under Hindu caste system. The flow from Brahmin to Shudra is according to priority basis and so, Brahmins are upper class citizen while Shudra are lower. Interestingly, Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya are considered as upper classes leaving Shudra as the only lower class. To add to its complexity, some castes could be grouped under dual classes. Popularly, these includes Kayastha, Reddy, Maratha, Nayar etc. Each class consists of various surnames and clans summing upto 3000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes in total. This declratation of social groups dates back to as old as 1200 BC making the Hindu Caste System as roughly 3200 years old.

Rig Veda, the ancient Hindu text, reads the formation of caste system as deconstruction of body parts of a Hindu holy man Purush (which literally means ‘male’ in Sanskrit). To form the Hindu society, Purush destroyed himself and four Varnas were created from his four body parts :  Brahmanas (or Brahmins) from head, Kshatriyas from arms, Vaishyas from thighs and Shudras from feet. And thus establishing the social heiarchy : Brahmin -> Kshatriya -> Vaishya -> Shudra. Interestingly, the caste system didn’t restricts itself to human beings but extends also to animal classification as well. Broadly into two groups, animals are differentiated on the basis of spirituality and action-dominated. Hence cow is considered as a pious animal and hence belongs to Brahmans, while lions and tigers link with Kshatriyas.

The society at present has gulped the concept of ‘caste system’ as a subtext of racism and human descrimination. But originally castes were developed based on the concept of ‘division of labour’. True, the upper caste were forbidden to exist even in the circumference of lower and vice versa. Worse conditions were laid on Harijans so much so as they were not even considered as part of the society. The point at which things turned out to be sour is unclear and untouched and shall be further researched for some justification.

The convolution of nuptials among Hindu religion has been an ongoing battle embedded in the various directives of caste system. Inter-caste marriages (both arranged and romantic) are encouraged and monitored by elders pardoning the subtle impious and blasphemous meaning existing behind it. The anathema concept of unchastity is, by common sense, injected in similar caste socieities. Yet, this is encouraged over marriages outside the same caste. The term ‘inter-caste’ is so frequently used that the charm behind its negative charisma is never bothered to get proper attention. But anyone protesting against the system is maligned, discriminated and considered as blasphemous.

A lot can be written about such a complex social structure. But relying solely on digital texts shall be an insult to it. In short, judging and labeling Hindu Caste System under the umbrella of ‘racism’ without understanding it’s significance and origin is utter lack of intelligentia. But again, keeping the present scenario of racism apart, Hindu Caste System is pretty interesting and important to understand the structure of Hindu society.

The post is not meant to create any religious or communal uproar and neither to question the regulations laid by Hindu ancestors for over three thousand years ago. It’s a mere documentation of facts with sources attached at the bottom.

http://adaniel.tripod.com/confusion.htm
Forum of Hindu Awakening
https://www.britannica.com/topic/dvija

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