Vedic Wisdom - Varnas

Vedic Wisdom

Varnas



Both the great Hymn Purusha sukta and Manu smriti deals with the concept of ‘Varna’.

Varna means ‘order’ or ‘calling’ – much like a Doctor or an Engineer or an Advocate- meaning profession.

In the ancient period of human existence there were not many such different professions and yet our rishis could fore vision what types of professions are possible.

They identified professions which could be based on intellect, physical prowess, trading and services.

Accordingly they named each Varna – profession –the intellectuals will be using their brain and intellect – the faculty that grows as we age – as we know we become wiser as we age-therefore called them Brahmins – from the root ‘brh’- to expand- involved in professions like guiding, preaching, representing, supervising, caring,

administering all that which involves more of the intellectual faculty equivalent to today’s philosophers, teachers, professors, doctors, engineers, advocates, chartered accountants etc.,

Fearless strong men who is using his physical prowess – the highest physical and mental faculty – were called Kshatriyas – fearless – performing the duties of Army men, policing, Guarding etc., and above all the rulers.

The Traders- vysyas- using more of their communication and persuasion skills combined with commercial acumen-like traders, businessmen etc.,- men of wealth.

The service men who will be doing intelligent, effective jobs with dedication and commitment but as may be instructed for a salary – the real backbone for an organized society because anything can be planned by any of the above varnas but actual implementation is possible only if this people agree and cooperate - very similar to the bureaucracy of any government because the real efficiency and effectiveness of any ruler is decided only by them.

It had no caste or creed connotation in it. Manu smriti very clearly stated that the profession has to be chosen by every individual consciously and of his own choice.

It clearly abhors hereditary compulsion. 

It must be noted that it is only common sense that a son or a daughter will have an advantage in choosing his or her father’s or mother’s profession because right from childhood he or she would have seen and understood the basics , perhaps even the nuances and therefore it gives him or her a head start compared to others.

Are we not seeing it happening in the professions of Doctors, Lawyers, Auditors, Businessmen, Politician etc., So Manusmriti said while it is against compulsory hereditary profession it has no objection if that is what the concerned individual wants 

It clearly postulated that if the native does not choose the profession of his choice his heart won’t be there and he will be ruminating for his entire life.

Yet baselessly without understanding all the above facts there is deliberate misinterpretation carried on.

Let us make it very clear that Vedas have always insisted that everything has to be done only consciously- thoughts, words or deeds and has never accepted any other rule for doing any act – not only choosing a career- but everything from choosing your God to your wife.

When Vedas have given a right to everybody choose their own God, to say that Vedas have denied the right to choose his profession is either ignorance or arrogance.


This article is a snippet from the Book Vedic Wisdom, Authored by Pandit Sri Rama Sharma. Vedic Wisdom is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private LimitedA chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.

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