
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.
This
division is according to the Guna and Karma. Guna(quality) and Karma(kindofwork)
determine the caste of a man. This is supported by Lord Krishna in the Gita,
also. He says in the Gita: “The four castes were emanated by Me, by the
different distribution of qualities and actions. Know Me to be the author of
them, though the actionless and inexhaustible” .
There
are three qualities or Gunas, viz., Sattva (purity), Rajas (passion) and Tamas
(inertia). Sattva is white, Rajas is red and Tamas is black. These three
qualities are found in man in varying proportions. Sattva preponderates in some
persons. They are Brahmanas. They are wise persons or thinkers. They are the
priests, ministers or philosophers who guide kings or rulers. In some, Rajas is
predominant. They are Kshatriyas. They are warriors or men of action. They
fight with the enemies or invaders and defend the country. In some, Tamas is
predominant. They are Vaisyas or traders. They do business and agriculture and
amass wealth. Sudras are the servants. None of these qualities is highly
developed in them. They serve the other three castes.
In a
broad sense, a Sattvic man, who is pious and virtuous and leads the divine
life, is a Brahmana, a Rajasic man with heroic quality is a Kshatriya, a
Rajasic man with business tendencies is a Vaisya and a Tamasic man is a Sudra.Hitler
and Mussolini were Kshatriyas. Ford was a Vaisya.
Serenity,
self-restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness, and also, uprightness,
knowledge, Realisation and belief in God are the duties of the Brahmanas, born
of (their own) nature. Prowess, splendour, firmness, dexterity, and also, not
flying from battle, generosity and lordliness are the duties of the Kshatriyas,
born of (their own) nature. Agriculture, cattle-rearing and trade are the duties
of the Vaisyas, born of (their own) nature. And action consisting of service is
the duty of the Sudras, born of (their own) nature.
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