Do Vedas endorse varna or castes based on one's birth?

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Mohan Vanamalai, a humble Indian

Updated Sep 1, 2017

Yes. There is plenty of pseudo-research on this following the condemnation of the caste system in the
20th century.

Caste system has been birth based for over 3000 years. The proof that this idea existed is
based on genetic isolation of specific castes for over 3000 years. This time period corresponds
to the start of the vedic age.

Caste system is a fallout of the Aryan/Dravidian conflict. This is clear from the asymmetric
distribution of ANI male genes consistent with that of slavery in USA. This intermixing
caused a variety of hues in skin color.

Aryans considered themselves the superior race, born to rule, given their victory of the dark
skinned Dravidian. They attributed it to the idea of noble blood, identified by the color of
their skin ( the most visible distinguishing feature to identify who is who).

Varna literally means caste, tribe, color, appearance, shape, form, species.[1]

No where it is mentioned job, work or profession. Anything attributing varna or caste to

professions, food habits is false claims by pseudo researchers. Check the damn dictionary
in the link.

Supremacists used the word to mean the nature, character, quality, class, property etc.
as superior attributes of the race. They were used as synonyms. It is common to used
these terms in poetry.

Literature of the period state in that the castes were born. It was not by work or nature.
Rather work or nature were attributed because of birth. Education was restricted so that the
‘nature’ or ‘abilities’ were not taught to other castes.

Both in practice and in literature, Varna and caste system was by birth.

Victors in wars generally used the caste system to justify their ascent to the throne. For example,
 Nanda’s were condemned as illegitimate to rule because of the lower caste birth of the Nanda
kings. This was used to justify their murders.[2]

Shivaji was not a Kshatriya but after his victory he rechristened as one following his
coronation.[3]

While the caste system was by birth, the warlords claimed the status with the power and used it to de-
legitimize the claims of others. This is an aberration not the rule.

As stated in other shastras and vedas, caste system originated as form of racist classification by birth
(color of skin). The attributions to nature, character, nobility were a result of racial justification.

Notes:

[1] Rig Vedic reference to castes

Figure: Verbatim extract of the book [4] describing the research on the subject.

[2] Dictionary definition of Varna

Figure: Verbatim dictionary translation of Varna

[3] The scientific evidence for this theory comes from the study of archeogenetics of South Asians.

Genetic analysis shows lasting effects of caste system on health of modern Indians | Genetic
Literacy Project

Genomic view on the peopling of India

Genetics and archaeogenetics of South Asia - Wikipedia

Despite the fertile imagination of denialists, caste system originated around the end of Indus Valley
Civilization and continues to spread
Take a look at the following observation from the research.
Source: http://www.cell.com/ajhg/pdf/S00...

Footnotes
[1] Sanskrit Dictionary for Spoken Sanskrit
[2] Nanda Empire - Wikipedia
[3] Shivaji - Wikipedia
[4] The Origins and Development of Classical Hinduism

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Abhisekh Pandey
Updated Oct 25

SOME PEOPLE HERE ARE COMMENTING ON THE BASIS OF PURUSHASUKTA(10th point)

The Rig Veda/Mandala 10/Hymn 90

SO HERE IS A NOTE ABOUT PURUSASUKTA

In the Purushasukta, why is it said that Brahman was born from the mouth, Kshatriya
from the shoulders, Vaisya from the thighs and Sudra from the feet of the creator?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

These are symbolic representation of cosmos or infinite God. It talks of whole cosmos is maintained by
four types of quality or Guna. It does not convey hereditary caste system.
Brahmana from mouth means - the intellectuals are the real mouth of world. Because they
contribute through their mouth or speech. Like scientist, teachers, singers, writers, journalist etc.

Kshatriya from shoulders - Fighters are the real hand of this cosmos. Because they protect us from
immoral, crimes. Like mother holds the children through hand before fall.

Vaisya from thighs - The way a child is kept on lap or thigh and the child feels comfortable.
Similarly businessmen are sustaining the society through economic development. And society lives
comfortably due to prosperity. So they forms the thigh of cosmos.

Shura from feet - The way a human can stand on leg, similarly labour class people are like
pillars/feet of cosmos. Because they only work and others eat without doing physical work. Example -
farmers, sweepers etc. So without them, the society will not function. Like without leg the body will not
move. If sweepers stop cleaning the street, then others can not even walk on that road due to bad
smell. Whole city will be like a slum. But we don't understand their importance, because they work
secretly, before we wakeup in the morning and they never go for strike or agitation of road.

Please note the Shudra is the feet of cosmos or God. So they are highly respected. Devotees worship
the feet of this infinite deity, not the mouth/head.

Same Purushasukta also says earth is from feet of God(12th point)

The Rig Veda/Mandala 10/Hymn 90

And earth is worshipped by hindus. So both Shudra and earth are the real feet of Lord, which are to be
worshipped. But stupid orthodox people changed meaning saying - feet is lower and head is higher. Do
they worship feet or head of Lord? The feet is worshipped. And all Hindu teachers like Shankara,
Ramanuja etc are conveyed as Bhagavat-pada [feet], not Bhagavat-shira [head].

Swami Vivekananda has raised the concern in a letter BARANAGORE, CALCUTTA, 7th Aug., 1889
- "The doctrine of caste in the Purusha-Sukta of the Vedas does not make it hereditary
— so what are those instances in the Vedas where caste has been made a matter of
hereditary transmission?"

Similarly Brihadaranyaka Upanishad [1.4.11-15] also mentions castes are manifested based on
requirements, both among Gods and Humans.

Brahma ba idamagra asidekameba; …..

[1.4.11]In the beginning this [the Ksatriya and others] was indeed Brahmana [Fire], one only. Being
one, he did not flourish. He specially projected an excellent form, the Ksatriya [Indra, Varuna etc].
[1.4.12]Yet he did not flourish. He projected the Vaisya [Vasus, Rudras etc]. [1.4.13]He did not still
flourish. He projected the Shudra caste [earth]. For it nourishes all this that exists. [1.4.14]Yet he did
not flourish. He specially projected that excellent form, righteousness (Dharma). [1.4.15]So these four
castes were projected – Brahmana, Ksatriya, Vaisya, Shudra, both among Gods and humans.

Since Veda reveals which are beyond sense organs [Alaukika pramana], otherwise that can not be
independent pramana. These castes - Brahmana, Ksatriya, Vaisya, Shudra must be referring
to manifested qualities [Guna] of Supreme-Self. And castes among deities are referring to
various natures [Guna] manifested from Supreme-Self. These cannot be hereditary castes of Human.

Corruption of scripture:

------------------------------

Purushasukta is in 10th Mandala of Rig Veda. Many Vedic scholars say- these complete 10th
Mandala was added at later point of time. It is not a part of original Rig Veda. So purushasukta
is added at later point. Like Uttara-kanda of Valmiki Ramayana is added later. So there are
many modification in Hindu scriptures including Veda due to corrupted priests.

Later point of time Manu Smriti has incorporated this to preach hereditary caste system by
birth. Manu Smriti 1.31. “But for the sake of the prosperity of the worlds he caused the Brahmana,
the Kshatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra to proceed from his mouth, his arms, his thighs, and his
feet.” Manu Smriti 1.87. “But in order to protect this universe He, the most resplendent one,
assigned separate (duties and) occupations to those who sprang from his mouth, arms, thighs, and
feet. Manu Smriti 1.93. As the Brahmana sprang from (Brahman’s) mouth, as he was the first-
born, and as he possesses the Veda, he is by right the lord of this whole creation.”

It seems Purusha-sukta is popular because of Manu Smriti. And every priest chant while taking
bath and doing rituals. Many say the author of Manu Smriti has added this into Rig Veda to get an
authority of Sruti. Otherwise there are many Suktam in Rig Veda which are not popular, even people
dont know these. For example -Nasadiya Sukta, also known as the Hymn of Creation, also present in
10th Mandala of the Rigveda (10:129) is not popular. Why Purusha-sukta is popular? Because it
talks of caste system as orthodox interprets. So they made it a slogan to perpetuate the
caste system.
AND P.S SOMEONE HAS WROTE ABOUT SHIVAJI AND NANDA EMPIRE,WERE THESE
EMPIRES FROM VEDIC SOCIETY?,THEY WERE NOT.

AND THAT GUY IS SO BIASED THAT HE HAS CHERRY PICKED THE 12 POINT OF
PURUSHASUKTA,AND NOT WRITTEN ANYTHING ABOUT 14 POINT The Rig Veda/Mandala
10/Hymn 90 ,WHICH SAID EARTH WAS ALSO BORN FROM THE FEET OF THE GOD,JUST LIKE
SHUDRAS,SO AS HINDUS WORSHIP EARTH,IT MEANS SHUDRA AND EARTH ARE
EQUAL,SECONDLY ITS A CLASSIFICATION OF SOCIETY AND NO WHERE IN VEDAS IT IS
WRITTEN THAT ITS HEREDITARY.THIRDLY THIS IS WHAT VEDAS SAY ABOUT SHUDRAS.

JANMANA JAAYATE SHOODRAH

SANSKAARAAT DWIJ UCHYATE

MEANING : At the time of birth, everyone gets birth as a Shoodra. Its only by Sanskaars
(rituals/teachings) that he is called a Dwij(born again).

AND ABOUT GENETIC THEORY(ALTHOUGH THE QUESTION WAS ABOUT CASTISM IN

VEDAS),THERE ARE MANY PUBLISHED EVERY YEAR,ARE THEY SURE ABOUT THESE
GENETIC THEORIES?THERE WAS A NEW ONE THIS APRIL!,I AM AGNOSTIC ABOUT
THEM.HERE ARE SOME RESEARCH PAPERS AND THEORIES.

1. This research paper demonstrates the absence of any significant outside genetic influence
in India for the past 10,000 – 15,000 years [4].

2. This research paper excludes any significant patrilineal gene flow from East Europe to Asia,
including India, at least since the mid-Holocene period (7,000 to 5,000 years ago) [5].

3. This research paper rejects the possibility of an Aryan invasion/migration and concludes
that Indian populations are genetically unique and harbor the second highest genetic
diversity after Africans [6]

4. https://economictimes.indiatimes...

SO THERE ARE MANY RESEARCH AND THEORIES OPPOSING EACH OTHER ON ARYAN
INVASION,THESE THEORIES DOSENT GIVE ANY SURETY,ONLY A BIAS PERSON WILL
BELIEVE IN THEM.

Edit
And Babasahab Ambedkar was also against this racial(color) or Aryan invasion theory,he compared it
to a dangerous poisonous snake which should be killed,below is the reference from his book,who were
shudras?
AND MOST PARTS OF THIS ANSWER WAS ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BY MUKTIPADA BAHERA

Epics of India: Caste system in the Vedas. Was it really explained or was it abnegating itself creating
chaos?