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Varṇa System in Ancient India

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Varṇa System in Ancient India Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Varṇa System in Ancient India Dr. Subhash Chandra Assistant Professor Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, Delhi, India Email: [email protected] Web: http://sanskrit.du.ac.in/faculty/subhash.html Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India In this lecture…… . Varna System . Origin of the Varna System . Theories of Origin of Varna System . Development of Varna System . Traditional Varna and Their Duties (Dharma) Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Varna System Varṇa (वर्ण) is a Sanskrit word which means type, order, colour or class. The term refers to social classes It classified the society. Varna is the base of the Social Division in Hindu Society to Perform the Various duties and Task of the Society. It was a system to distributes the work to manage the society. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Varna System According the Ancient Indian Sanskrit Texts Hindu the society was distributed into four Varnas. Four varnas ware Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Earlier this division was based on duties and task. But later is was considered based on birth. Finally in Mahabharata and Ramayana Periods both types (based on duties and by birth) were considered by the society. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Varna System The major objective of the Varna system was to perform the assigned duties and responsibilities and grow the society without any animosity. Verna System is a sociological system of Ancient India. Verna System is a sociological system of Ancient India. By the Varna System human grow the family, group, society and country by the performing the assigned tasks and responsibilities. Varna system makes healthy environments in the society. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Origin of the Varna System The word Verna (वर्ण) originated from the Sanskrit verb root “'वृ'” which mean “to select/to choose”. Therefore, it mean carrier selection / task selection / responsibility selection. The concept is generally traced to the Purusha Sukta verse of the Rigveda. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Origin of the Varna System The word appears in the Rigveda, where it means "colour, outward appearance, exterior, form, figure or shape“ Varna contextually means "colour, race, tribe, species, kind, sort, nature, character, quality, property" of an object or people in some Vedic and medieval texts. Varna refers to four social classes in the Manusmriti. The word means "color, tint, dye or pigment" in the Mahabharata. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Vedas Rigveda states that the earlier the society was divided into two classes: Arya and Dasyu. Then only three classes: Brahma, Kshatra and Visha were evolved. The Purush Sukta 10th Mandal of Rigveda states that all four Varnas produced by the Virat Purusha. The Virat Purush was divided into mouth, arms, thighs and feet. The Brahman was Virat Purusha’s mouth. Both of his arms was Rajanya (Kshatriya) was formed. His thighs became the Vaishya. And Shudra was produced from his feet Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Vedas ब्राह्मर्ोऽस्य मुखमासीद्बा राजन्यः कृतः । ऊ셂 तदस्य यद्वैश्यः पद्भ्ाां शूद्रोऽजायतः ॥ (ऋ嵍वेद सांहिता, मण्डल 10, सूक्त 90, ऋचा 12) This Purusha Sukta varna verse is now generally considered to have been inserted at a later date into the Vedic text, possibly as a charter myth. In the post-Vedic period, the varna division is described in the Dharmashastra literature, Mahabharata and in the Puranas. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Development of Varna System The Early Vedic (Rigvedic) Period (2500/1500- 1200 BCE) Earlier the society was divided into two major categories: Arya: Educated Class / Intellectuals Dasyu: Uneducated Class / Workers Later the society was divided into three major categories: Brahma Kshatra Visha Finally at the end of Rigvedic Period the evidence shown in the 10.90.12 (Purush Sukta) the four Varnas. This is the oldest evidence of the Varna system where four Varnas appeared together. Brahman, Rajanya (instead of Kshatriya), Vaishya and Shudra classes formed from the mouth, arms, thighs and feet of the cosmic Purusha. Based on linguistics evidence, few scholars has considered that the Purush Suktas of Rigveda has been inserted at a later date into the Vedic text. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India Development of Varna System The Rigvedic Period (2500/1500- 1200 BCE) In the Rigvedic Period Varna system was based on Duties or Karma. का셁रिां ततो हिषगुपलप्रहिर्ी नना । नानाहियोवसूयवोऽनु गा इव तहस्िमन्द्रायेन्दो परर स्रव ।। 9.112.3 I am a musician, my family (father& Son) are medical practioners healing diseases, my mother grinds corn to make our food. We all perform our duties to make our contribution to sustain the society, like a cow sustains us all. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Later-Vedic Period (1100-500 BCE) The four Varnas has well developed in this period. In this period the differentiation started between the Varnas. Different types Yajyopavit has introduced to recognised the Brahmana, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudra. Brahmanas were considered as supreme Varnas and got the 1st position in society. They have also treated as God. They are the only Varna who can perform the various religious procedure. Without them anyone can not complete the religious procedures. They were the priest of King. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Later-Vedic Period (1100-500 BCE) Kshatriya was second position in the Society. They perform the battle, protection and ruling for the society. Vaishyas got the third position in the Society. Main duties of the Vaishyas were animal husbandry, Agriculture and Business. Shudras were considered the fourth position in the Society. They can only perform the server of the three Varnas. In this period they were declared to not eligible to perform any Religious activities. But they had the Right of Education during this period. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Later-Vedic Period (1100-500 BCE) The later Vedic texts fixed social boundaries, roles, status and ritual purity for each of the groups. The Shatapatha Brahmana associates the Brahmana with good conduct, glory and teaching. Kshatriya with strength, fame, ruling, and warfare. Vaishya with material prosperity and production-related activities such as cattle rearing and agriculture. Shudras with the service of the higher varnas. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Later-Vedic Period (1100-500 BCE) The hierarchy of the top three varnas is ambiguous in the later Vedic texts. Panchavamsha Brahmana and verse 13.8.3.11 of the Shatapatha Brahmana place Kshatriya over Brahmana and Vaishya. Whereas, verse 1.1.4.12 places Brahmana and Vaishya over the Kshatriya and Shudra. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Dharmashastra/Sutra Period (600 BCE to 300 BCE) Varna system is extensively discussed in Dharma-sastras. The constitutional rules and regulations were documented in this period. The duties of each Varnas were defined and documented. Even King was advised to implement duties of each Varnas. Varnas were considered based on Birth not Duty or Karma. The feeling of inequality were developed in the society. The punishments system were developed for various Varnas. The Rights and Facilities of Brahamansa were increased. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Dharmashastra/Sutra Period (600 BCE to 300 BCE) The first three varnas are described in the Dharmasastras as "twice born" and they are allowed to study the Vedas. They were called “dwija”. The status of shudras become very sine. They were left on the mercy of first three Varnas. The rights and facilities were ended of Shudras. They were not eligible to education and Samskaras. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Dharmashastra/Sutra Period (600 BCE to 300 BCE) Finally, Jainism and Buddhism evolved in this period. They opposed the Varna System by birth and considered by Duty or karma. Kshatriya and Vashyas were considered equal to Brahamans. In Buddhism, the Kshatriya were considered supreme to Brahmans. Vaishyas were become very rich. But the status of Shudras were not changed. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Dharmashastra/Sutra Period (600 BCE to 300 BCE) Generally the nature of the Varna System found in this period were followed till long times. The texts written in this period regarding the duties and responsibilities of each Varnas. The Inter Varnas Marriages were allowed and there are lots of Hybrid Castes were evolved in the society. There are two another types of marriages were introduced called Anulom and Pratilom It was the sign the better social status of the society. Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, India The Ramayana & Mahabharata Period (400 BCE to 250/200 BCE) Varna system was seen as Later Vedic Period. That is not fully based on by Duties and fully based on by birth. Both examples were seen in this period. Mahabharata showing the status of Shudras were improving. They can participate in Politics, Agricultures, Business even society was advised to take knowledge from Shudras as well. Vidur, Matanga and Karna were the examples they have established their good social status in the society by the performing duties and responsibilities.
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