In this blog, I am just trying to share my views on the present so-called caste system in India compared to the Vedic system of religion.
The Vedic system of religion we have been describing the varṇāśrama system created by Kṛṣṇa and please do not be confused with the present-day caste system which is the determination of social divisions by birth. But as to eradication of all social divisions, it cannot be done. This is still more foolishness, because Kṛṣṇa Himself says, cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ: [Bg. 4.13] "This system of four social divisions, according to quality and work, is ordained by Me." But the difficulty is that this so-called caste system has come in, on account of the false notion that in order to be a brāhmaṇa, one must be the son of a brāhmaṇa. That is the caste system. But Kṛṣṇa does not say that. He says "according to quality and work." He never says "according to birth." So this so-called caste system in India is a false notion of cātur-varṇyaṁ, the system of four social divisions. The real system of cātur-varṇyaṁ means guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ, determination of the four social divisions according to quality and work. One must be qualified.
And how does one become qualified? That is also described. For instance, in Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa describes the qualities of a brāhmaṇa as follows: śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca jñānam vijñānam āstikyam[Bg. 18.42]. "Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom, and religiousness." So people who want to become brāhmaṇas must be educated to acquire these qualities. It is not enough simply to abolish the caste system, which is contaminated by the false conception of qualification by birthright. Certainly, this wrong caste system should be abolished. Also, educational centres should be opened for teaching people how to become genuine brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas. Guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ: according to their qualities and work, people naturally belong to different social groupings. So you cannot avoid it, but because you have created a false caste system, that should be abolished, and the system recommended by Kṛṣṇa that should be adopted.
In any event, you cannot avoid the natural occurrence of various social divisions. Nature's caste system will remain. Take, for example, the brahminical quality of truthfulness. All over the world, wherever you go, you'll find at least one person who is truthful. Does anyone say, "Oh, his father was truthful therefore, he is truthful"? This is nonsense. The father may be Hiraṇyakaśipu, a big demon, but his son can still be Prahlāda, a great devotee. It is not that one will inevitably become exactly like one's father. Of course, it may be; there is every possibility. But still, it is not a fact that the son unavoidably becomes like the father. So natural system is to classify a person and train him for a particular duty, according to his particular inner qualities and his particular propensity to act.
The benefit will be that the whole social body will function harmoniously. The social body must have a brain and arms and a belly and legs to be complete. If there is no brain, no head, then what is the use of these arms and legs and belly? It is all dead. So in human society, if there is not a class of learned, truthful, and honest men and men with all the brahminical qualifications then society is ruined. That is why people are perplexed. Today almost everyone is trained to be a śūdra, a labourer: "Go to the factory." That's all. "Go to the factory and get money." And when the man gets some money and if he is not realized about his state and he doesn't want to know the absolute truth of this human form of life and he will end up his life like an animal. If he is in the mode of Tamo guna he will immediately purchase wine and women and ruined himself and so society.
So, the caste system is not what we are thinking now and it is far away from the truth. You are not what are you (like brahman,kshatriya or anything ) but you are what you want to be.
The last point I am trying to say the role of caste in the Indian marriage system. Many times we have seen in newspapers like "killing of their own daughter or son for honouring caste". These things would not happen if one realizes and know reality.
There is a verse from sastras
Note:
Please confirm yourself once when you keep posting and posing yourself as kshatriya, Brahmana or anything without having a proper understanding of qualities and responsibilities and it's simply on the basis of birth then it is non-sense.
