The Varna System or Caste System

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Varna system or Vedic caste system which later deteriorated into the modern caste system due to colonialism and misinterpretation, was natural and necessary for the proper functioning of the society. In this article we see how it is very much different from the modern caste system and how it is very natural and we will also see some evidences from the scriptures which supports this. The Original Caste System or Vedic Caste System: Currently the caste system is all about some people feeling themselves superior and some others as inferior based on birth which is not the case with the original caste or Vedic caste system or Varna system. The Varna system is fully based on cooperation, trust and tolerance amongst the different classes of the people in the society who are supposed to perform different functions just like the different parts of the body has to function for the good of the whole body. Unlike the modern caste system there is no competition between the different classes or varnas in the Vedic caste system. The unfortunate and undesired effects of bringing inequality and spirit of exclusiveness is not the central motive of Vedic caste system. Different people have different inclinations and interests irrespective of their birth although the upbringing may have little influence on their inclinations. Based on the inclinations of the people and their qualities there was varna division not by birth which was the modern scenario. For example: A person becomes nice engineer when he has that inclination and he gets educated in that direction. It is not that simply by being born to engineer a person becomes a engineer and it is not necessary that he should have that inclination to become a engineer although it may have some i... ... middle of paper ... ...anced society definitely needs warriors, merchants, teachers and laborers. Hence, instead of one’s unrestrained rights, one’s duties are given more importance. Conclusion Varna system is one of the most debatable phenomena of India and is tarred with many controversies. However, on a deeper analysis one finds that the basic need for this system was simply to ensure a healthy and flexible society unlike the one which has been rigidified due to the colonial misinterpretation and mistreatment of varnas, resulting in the castes as we find them in the present day India . The original varna system was quite flexible in which one’s varna could be changed based on one’s skill and was not fixed as is often understood. Indeed, it was the colonization of India by the British in the 18th and 19th centuries which changed the varna system into the present rigid system of castes.

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