This is an extremely long and a serious blog. Today’s understanding of वर्ण is coloured by two extremes – those who praise वर्ण and those who criticize it (more of the latter is visible). And since today’s understanding of वर्ण is widely derived from मनुस्मृति, what is interesting is that both those who praise वर्ण … Continue reading Varna not the same as Caste – Deep understanding of operation of Varna Sanskara from Manusmriti – A discussion paper
Caste System Varnas Jati
Caste System has been universal – then why is the word “Caste” associated only with India? Response by Claude
This blog provides a response given by Claude on conveying the idea that caste system has operated in a universal manner across all geographies till even early 19th century. Europe, Japan, China and Spain have been selected as geographies to provide description of how caste system had been practiced in these centuries. Following this, Claude … Continue reading Caste System has been universal – then why is the word “Caste” associated only with India? Response by Claude
Caste System in Europe – Response by Claude
Organizing itself into hierarchies is an innate trait within all living beings since time immemorial. It is hardwired into the very core of life. When one popular scholar gave these lines a few years back, it struck me as unusual. In India in particular, the word Caste System has been described as unique to India … Continue reading Caste System in Europe – Response by Claude
How to identify a Brahmana?
In मार्कण्डेय समस्या पर्व within वनपर्व of महाभारत, there is a famous episode called popularly as the व्याधगीता. The following is a small extract of this episode which in simple terms defines the qualifying criteria for who may be called as a ब्राह्मण य: क्रोधमोहौ त्यजति तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः। यो वदेदिह सत्यानि गुरुं संतोषयेत् च।। हिंसितश्च … Continue reading How to identify a Brahmana?
Who is a Shudra or a Brahmana?
In अजगरपर्व within वनपर्व of महाभारत, there is an interesting event where one of the ancestors of the Pandavas, King Nahusha, takes the birth as a python after being given a शाप by ऋषि अगस्त्य. And when भीम walks around in the forest, the python coils around भीम who is unable to escape. As it … Continue reading Who is a Shudra or a Brahmana?
Adhyatma Writings 