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Agniveer® is serving Dharma since 2008. This initiative is NO WAY associated with the defence forces scheme launched by Indian Govt in 2022

There is no caste-system in Vedas

This entry is part [part not set] of 11 in the series Vedas totally reject Caste System

It is unfortunate that in our country, where Vedas were the foundation of our culture, we forgot these original lessons of Vedas and got trap in a variety of misconceptions regarding birth-based caste system and discrimination of people born in certain caste collectively known as Shudras.

The misleading theories of communists and biased Indologists have already caused great damage to our society and have sown seeds of differences. It is unfortunate that so-called Dalits consider themselves outcast, and hence, we fail to unite for prosperity and security. The only solution is to go back to the roots – the Vedas – and rebuild our understanding of our relationships with each other.

In this chapter, we will further evaluate the reality of caste system and see many examples of Varna Migration.

What is caste?

The concept of caste is relatively new. Vedas contain no word that can be considered a synonym for ‘caste.’ The two words commonly considered to mean ‘caste,’ are Jaati and Varna. However, the truth is that all the three mean completely different things.
Caste is a European innovation having no semblance in Vedic culture.

What is Jaati?

Jaati means a classification based on the source of origin. Nyaya Sutra states “Samaanaprasavaatmika Jaatih” or those having similar birth source form a Jaati.

An initial broad classification made by Rishis is four-fold:

• Udbhija (coming out of ground like plants)
• Andaja (coming out of eggs like birds and reptiles)
• Pindaja (mammals) and
• Ushmaj (reproducing due to temperatures and ambient conditions like virus and bacteria.)

Similarly, various animals like elephant, lion, rabbits, etc. form different ‘Jaati.’ In the same manner, entire humanity forms one ‘Jaati’. A particular Jaati will have similar physical characteristics, cannot change from one Jaati to another, and cannot crossbreed. Jaati is the creation of Ishwar or God.

Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra are no way different Jaati because there is no difference in the source of birth or even physical characteristics to differentiate between them.

Later, word ‘Jaati’ started being used to imply any classification. In common usage, we call even different communities as different ‘Jaati.’ However, that is merely convenience of usage. In reality, all humans form one single Jaati.

What is Varna?

The actual word used for Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra is ‘Varna’ and not Jaati.
The word ‘Varna’ is used not only for these four but also for Dasyu and Arya.
‘Varna’ means one that is adopted by choice. While Jaati is provided by God, ‘Varna’ is our own choice.

Those who choose to be Arya are called ‘Arya Varna.’ Those who choose to be Dasyu become ‘Dasyu Varna’. Same for Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra.

That is why Vedic Dharma is called ‘Varnashram Dharma.’ The word Varna itself implies that this is based on complete freedom of choice and meritocracy.

Those involved in intellectual activities have chosen ‘Brahmin Varna’. Those into defense and warfare are ‘Kshatriya Varna’. Those in economics and animal rearing are ‘Vaishya Varna’ and those involved in other support functions are “Shudra Varna”. They refer merely to various choices of professions and have nothing to do with any Jaati or birth.

“Purush Sukta”- The biggest culprit?

Often mantras of Purush Sukta are cited to prove that Brahmins originated from Mouth, Kshatriya from hands, Vaishya from thighs and Shudras from legs of God. Hence, these Varnas are birth-based. However, nothing could be more deceptive. Let us see why:
Vedas describe God to be shapeless and unchangeable. How can such a God take the shape of a gigantic person if He is shapeless?

If indeed this were true, this would defy the theory of Karma of Vedas because as per Theory of Karma, one’s family of birth can change as per his or her deeds. One born in Shudra family can take birth as king’s son in next birth. But if Shudras are born from feet of God, how can same Shudra again take birth from hands of God?

The soul is timeless and never born. The soul can have no Varna. It is only when the soul takes birth as a human it has a chance to opt a Varna. Then what does it mean by a Varna coming from one part of God’s body? If Soul did not take birth from God’s body, then does it mean the body of the soul is prepared from God’s body parts? However, as per Vedas, even nature is eternal. And same atoms recycle among various humans. It is technically impossible for anyone taking birth from God’s body, even if we assume God to be having a body.

“Purush Sukta” – The actual meaning

The said Purush Sukta is in 31st Chapter of Yajurveda, apart from Rigveda and Atharvaveda with some variations. In Yajurveda, it is 31.11. To see what it actually means, let us look at the previous mantra 31.10. It asks a question – Who is mouth? Who is hand? Who is thigh and who is leg?

The next mantra gives the answer – Brahmin is the mouth. Kshatriya is hand. Vaishya is thigh and Shudra becomes the legs.

Note that the mantra does not say that Brahmin “takes birth” from mouth…It says Brahmin “is” mouth. Because if the mantra would mean “takes birth” it would not answer the question in previous mantra “Who is mouth?”

For example, if I ask “Who is Dashrath?” An answer like “Rama is born from Dashrath” would be meaningless!

The actual meaning is: In society, Brahmins or intellectuals form the brain, head or mouth that think and speak. Kshatriyas or defense personnel form the hands that protect. Vaishyas or producers and businessmen form the thigh that support and nurture (note that thigh bone or femur produces blood and is the strongest bone). In Atharvaveda, instead of Uru or Thigh, the word “Madhya” is used meaning that it also denotes the stomach and central part of the body. Shudra or Labor force forms the legs that lay the foundation and make the body run.

The next mantras talk of other parts of this body like mind, eyes, etc. The Purush Sukta describes the origin and continuation of creation including human society and states ingredients of a meaningful society.

It is a pity that such a beautiful allegorical description of society and creation is distorted to mean something that is completely contrary to Vedic ethos.

Even the Brahman texts, Manusmriti, Mahabharat, Ramayan, and Bhagvat, do not state anything even close to the crazy hypothesis of God creating Brahmins by tearing of flesh from his mouth, Kshatriya from the flesh of hands and so on.

It is thus obvious why Brahmins are accorded high respect in Vedas. This is same as what happens even in modern society. Scholars and experts get our respect because they form the direction-providers for entire humanity. However, as we have discussed in previous chapters, the dignity of labor is equally emphasized in Vedas, and hence, there is no element of discrimination.

In Vedic culture, everyone is considered to be born as Shudra. Then based on his or her education, one becomes a Brahmin, Kshatriya or Vaishya. This completion of education is considered to be the second birth. Hence, these three Varnas are called “Dwija” or twice-born. But those who remain uneducated for whatever reasons are not discarded from society. They continue as Shudra and perform support activities for the society.

A son of Brahmin, if he fails to complete his education, becomes a Shudra. Similarly, son of a Shudra or even a Dasyu, if he completes his education can become a Brahmin, Kshatriya or Vaishya. This is a pure meritocracy. The way degrees are accorded today; Yajnopaveet was provided in the Vedic system. Further, non-compliance with the code of conduct for each Varna could result in taking away of the Yajnopaveet.

Examples of change of Varnas

There are many examples exist of change of Varnas in Vedic history.

• Aitareya Rishi was the son of a Daasa or criminal but became a Brahmin of the highest order and wrote Aitareya Brahman and Aitareyopanishad. Aitareya Brahman is considered critical to understanding Rigveda.

• Ailush Rishi was the son of a Daasi, gambler and of low character. However, he researched on Rigveda and made several discoveries. Not only he was invited by Rishis but also made an Acharya. (Aitareya Brahman 2.19)

• Satyakaam Jaabaal was the son of a prostitute but became a Brahmin.

• Prishadh was the son of King Daksha but became a Shudra. Further, he did Tapasya to achieve salvation after repenting.

• (Vishnu Puran 4.1.14) Had Tapasya been banned for Shudra as per the fake story from Uttar Ramayan, how could Prishadh do so?

• Nabhag, son of King Nedishtha, became Vaishya. Many of his sons again became Kshatriya. (Vishnu Puran 4.1.13)

• Dhrist was son of Nabhag (Vaishya) but became Brahmin, and his son became Kshatriya (VP 4.2.2)

• Further in his generation, some became Brahmin again (VP 9.2.23)

• As per Bhagvat, Agniveshya became Brahmin though born to a king.

• Rathotar born in Kshatriya family became a Brahmin as per Vishnu Puran and Bhagvat.

• Haarit became Brahmin though born to Kshatriya (Vishnu Puran 4.3.5)

• Shaunak became Brahmin though born in Kshatriya family. (Vishnu Puran 4.8.1). In fact, as per Vayu Puran, Vishnu Puran, and Harivansh Puran, sons of Shaunak Rishi belonged to all four Varnas.

• Similar examples exist of Gritsamad, Veethavya, and Vritsamati.

• Matanga was the son of Chandal but became a Brahmin.

• Raavan was born from Pulatsya Rishi but became a Rakshas.

• Pravriddha was the son of Raghu King but became a Rakshas.

• Trishanku was a king but became a Chandal.

• Sons of Vishwamitra became Shudra. Vishwamitra himself was a Kshatriya, who later became a Brahmin.

• Vidur was the son of a servant but became a Brahmin and minister of Hastinapur Empire.

The word “Shudra” has come in Vedas around 20 times. Nowhere has it been used in a derogatory manner. Nowhere has it mentioned that Shudras are untouchable, birth-based, disallowed from study of Vedas, lesser in status than other Varnas, disallowed in Yajnas.

In Vedas, Shudra means a hard-working person. (Tapase Shudram – Yajurveda 30.5). That is why Purush Sukta calls them as the foundation of entire human society.

Since the four Varnas refer to four kinds of activities by choice, as per Vedas, the same person exhibits characteristics of the four Varnas in different situations. Everyone belongs to all the four Varnas. However, for simplicity sake, we refer to the predominant profession to be the representative Varna.

Hence, all humans should strive to be all the four Varnas to best of their capabilities, as per Vedic wisdom. This is the essence of Purush Sukta.

The Rishis like Vasisth, Vishwamitra, Angira, Gautam, Vasudeva and Kanva exhibited traits of all the four Varnas. They discovered meanings of Vedic mantras, destroyed Dasyus, did manual labor and indulged in wealth management for social welfare.

We should also emulate the same.

Summary

In summary, we see that the Vedic society considers all humans to be one single Jaati or race, upholds the dignity of labor and provides equal opportunity for all humans to adopt the Varna of their choice.

There is no element of birth-based discrimination of any manner in the Vedas.

May we all unite together as one integrated family, reject the last element of birth-based discrimination of any manner and embrace each other as brothers and sisters.

May we also thwart the designs of those who want to mislead us by making baseless claims of casteism in Vedas and destroy the criminals aka Dasyu/Daas/Rakshas.

May we all come under the shelter of Vedas and work together to strengthen the humanity as one single family.

This article is also available in Hindi at http://agniveer.com/4034/caste-vedas-hi/

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Sanjeev Newar
Sanjeev Newarhttps://sanjeevnewar.com
I am founder of Agniveer. Pursuing Karma Yog. I am an alumnus of IIT-IIM and hence try to find my humble ways to repay for the most wonderful educational experience that my nation gifted me with.

249 COMMENTS

  1. Who say that there is no caste in vedas .I want to tell him that
    arthved chapter no-76 (aayush sukti )
    slok no 1524 it state that
    “jo chhatriye purus
    vidhiwat stiti agni ki (sandeepini )aahuti gyata hai wah kutil (chhalpurna )chhetro me bhi (bhramit hokar )mrityu ki disha me pair nahi badhata ”
    next
    arthved chapter no-76 (aayush sukti )
    slok no 1525 it state that

    “Aisa gyata chhatriye dheergha jeewan ki kamna se angisrot ka path karta hai .use gherne wale shatru bhi nahi mar sakte hai ”

    to jab ved me chhatriye word aaya matlab ved me caste hai .and hindu purohit kahte hai ki ved mriti lekh hai ki jisko bhagwan ne likha hai .matlab jisko brahma ne khud likha hai .iska matlab ye warna vyawastha bramha ne laya aur desh ,samaj ko bata hai .like as “bhrahma satyam jagat mithya ”

    to ab kahna band kar deejiye ki jati karma ke aadhar par bati gati .sach ye hai ki jati vedo ne bata hai aur manusmriti ne use aage badhya hai .Aur desh ko gulam banwaya hai .

    • “Caste” is not an Indian word. It is not Sanskrit. It is not in the Vedas. It is derived from the European language of Portuguese “Casta” “Casta (Spanish: [ˈkasta], Portuguese: [ˈkaʃtɐ, ˈkastɐ]) is a Spanish and Portuguese term used in 17th and 18th centuries mainly in Spanish America to describe as a whole the mixed-race people which appeared in the post-Conquest period. A parallel system of categorization based on the degree of acculturation to Hispanic culture, which distinguished between gente de razón (Hispanics) and gente sin razón (non-acculturated natives), concurrently existed and worked together with the idea of casta.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casta
      The European word Caste and its hereditary connotations came to be associated only after the Portuguese and English colonized parts of India 300 years ago or so and projected “Casta” on to Varna and Jati. The Vedas only speak of non-hereditary Varna which is not birth based hereditary Casta.

      • Arun ji yaha ye mudda nahi hai ki caste ki originity kaha se hai . matlab ko samajhiye . “there is no caste system in vedas ” is timeline ko badal ka hum hindi me kar de “ved me jati varna vyastha nah i hai “iska matlab bhi wahi hua maine jo aap ko proofe diya hai usko padhiye aur phir atherved padhiye . aur ha caste indian word nahi hai par jati varma vyastha to indian language me hai jiska matlab same hota hai .language sirf ek transmission ka jariya hai na ki koi matlab badalta hai . Aur ha aap ke anusar ved sanskrit me likha hai na ki enlish me ya Portuguese to usme caste ka matlab varn vyawastha hai .matlab samjho evidence dekho phir seena dhok kar kaho ki ved me varna vyawastha hai .

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  3. We have not examined why Varna system was created in the first place? World is functioning without it.Or is it needed for followers of Vedic teachings or applicable in India only?

    My study has indicated that had India not incorporated Varna system we would perhaps have been divided into a number of countries with considerable bloodshed.

    Now we need to reinvent the Varna system not only to eliminate caste system but to bring in order in our society.

  4. […] I call them wisdom books and not scriptures because they are essentially guide books containing topics such as science, martial arts, ethics, maths, metaphysics and much more. Unlike most of the world’s scriptures, you are given complete freedom to reject them without being threatened with eternal hell. These books promote social hierarchy based on merits, rather than on birth as claimed by many brahmins today. But that’s a whole different topic. For those interested in digging deeper into it, I highly suggest reading Agniveer’s exposition here. […]

  5. wanted to post in this article but couldnt see the comment box there, nevermind.

    Pretty interesting turn of events are happening in this election, Dr. Udit Raj the known Hindu baiter is joining the BJP.
    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dalit-activist-Udit-Raj-to-join-BJP/articleshow/30927015.cms

    Hope, after his ‘Ghar Vapasee’ he brings back all those people whom he got converted into other faiths due to his lack of knowledge on vedic texts.

  6. All Hindu communities in the country follow the varnashram system of Aryans and have divided the society in four castes – Kshatryas, Brahmins, Vaishyas and Shudras. Sindhis do not have such division in their society. They never followed a rigid caste system. That is why Sindhis are considered to be only businessmen. All members of the society inter-mingle with one another without any consideration of four castes of Aryans. There are no untouchables in Sindhis…..these religion and caste set up by mad and stupid people to control others not by god…who are still mentally sick they are following this castesim blindly..i must say be like all sindhi…tum hindu logo se toh yeh sindhi soh guna ache or intelligent hai..jo jante hai society ko ek kar ke kaise rakhna hai..

    • Sir,

      Arya Samaj/ Vedic people do not believe in caste system. And people from different parts of society marry each other. We have a telugu business man marrying North Indian farming lady.

      Krishnarao

      • Arya Namazis are NOT Hindus, neither they have anything to do with Vedas. They are product of colonial corruption with deep inferiority complex.

        Dayanand was inspired by Christianity. He is not any traditional Dharmacharya from any authentic sampradaya.

        Don’t comment on things which you know nothing about. Since you are not Hindu from any sampradaya, just these new-cultists brainwashed one, better keep quit.

        Hindu Dharma is Varnashara dharma. Whether you call it caste by birth or not doesn’t matter. Varna is always by birth. All traditional sampradaya agree on it. You are free to start your own cult, and call it Dayanandism.

        This fake Agniveer propaganda is another variant of arya samaj which only take Hindus away from Dharma.

  7. Namaskar,
    I have some logical questions for this concept and I need some answer for that. If possible please revert me on this. Thanking you in anticipation.

    1) What was karnas’s role in Mahabharata and why did he suffered since he had no mistake and why krishna did not do any thing for him.
    2) How do you see draupadi in Mahabharata. How can a women have 5 husband since that is against our religion..? Why are always kauravas made responsible for that incident since Pandavas were also responsible for that.
    3) Why did Lord Krishna force Arjun to kill his brothers..?
    4) Why was not Pandavas and karnas mother punished for the act she did and made Karna to pay for it..?
    5) What about Eklavya …? Since Dronacharya showed catse problem here So caste system prevailed before this also. Do vedas support caste system. If yes then why and if not then why is it even in our holy scripts.
    6) Why did Sita in Ramayana suffered. What was her mistake in it..?
    7) Why was not Indra punished for the acts he did ..?

    I am asking this question because most of the question that i have or had i have already found solution to it and I am satisfied. But this question make me think negative always. So please provide some good logical answers for this.

    Vande Mataram. Jai Hind.
    Gaurav Wagh.

    • Hi Gaurav,

      Thanks for asking these questions. I am not a scholar on them, but I do know that there are many corrupted versions of Ramayana and Mahabharat out there. Good example would be the story of the gopis and Krishna. That actually never happened. They were later added in through the Gitagovinda. A horrible book created by sexual divientents.

      With regards to your specific questions, I would go to the contact us page, and put your questions there. You will have someone get back to you.

      I would also add the to be a follower of the Vedas does not mean to follow Ramayana or Mahabharat. The main thing about the Vedas is follow the path of YOGA which does not require the knowledge of a historical event, historical place, historical person, historical thing, and historical location.

    • Hi Gaurav,

      I will also point out, in any war, there is going to be good people and bad people on both sides. The reason Arjuna killed Kuran has to do with one simple fact, he was fighting on an apposing side. Even when the US fought Germany during worldwar 2, not all the Germans were bad people. But those Germans had already given their loyalty to an evil side, so Americans had to fight them to defeat them. Same with Kuran. He was a good man fighting on the wrong side. He was even asked to fight on the other side, but he refused because he gave his loyalty to Duryodhan.and back then, loyalty was what made you as a person.

  8. We always talk about religion and castesim but in reality there is no any caste and religion. We all are same our blood are same.then why we believe in discrimination. God never created any caste they made simple human being.. Mentally sick people take the path of fundamentalism and spread casteism and communism. They suffer from inferiority complex and divide the society into “we” and “they”. They (belonging either to higher or lower ranked caste) have a fear in their heart that if they do not get a higher place for themselves in society, “other” people are going to exploit them and going to put them down.They don’t have believe on themselves and their own work. They have doubt own their capability. People with negative mindset suffer from inferiority complex and divide society into compartments like higher castes or lower castes.and can’t tolerate “others” progress or well-being. They cannot work hard and cannot tolerate anybody else’s achievements. These are the people with negative mindset who believe in ranking some belonging to higher castes and/or some to lower castes. They are coward and they are unable to protect themselves…

    • Khan, you want to use a british book on what a Hindu Indian word means. Come on man. So by your logic we should go to christians extremists for translations of the quran. Lol, moron.

  9. “The Untouchables (Dalits) of India want economic, social, political, religious and educational equality in Society, not in the eyes of God.”
    (Harbans Lal Badhan)

  10. “The Untouchables (Dalits) of India want economic, social, political, religious and educational equality in Society, not in the eyes of God.”
    (Harbans Lal Badhan)

    • Agreed. And slowly that is happening. Modi a person from a low caste has become PM, and he is making some real social changes. Like bank accounts for the poor and enforcing laws that say no caste discrimination, and etc.

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