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=== वेदे वर्णः ॥ Varna in the Veda ===

=== वेदे वर्णः ॥ Varna in the Veda ===

Though, varna system has often been understood as a reference to “caste system” or “class system” representing a social grouping, the primary usage of the term in the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|veda]] and dharmashastras has been that of a “conceptual framework". [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] Purushasukta (mantra 12) provides an earliest reference to the conceptual framework of varna. It uses the metaphor of human body to represent the universe as a cosmic [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]] with his limbs denoting various aspects and functions of the universe.<ref name=":2">Nithin Sridhar, [http://indiafacts.org/varna-vyavastha-as-a-conceptual-social-order-that-facilitates-self-actualization/ Varṇa vyavastha as a conceptual social order that facilitates self-actualization], indiafacts.org</ref><blockquote>ब्राह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीद्बाहू राजन्यः कृतः । ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः पद्भ्यां शूद्रो अजायत ॥१२॥ (Rig.10.90.12)<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 90], Verse 12.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>brāhmaṇo'sya mukhamāsīdbāhū rājanyaḥ kr̥taḥ । ūrū tadasya yadvaiśyaḥ padbhyāṁ śūdro ajāyata ॥12॥ (Rig.10.90.12)</blockquote>Meaning: The Brahmana (representing spiritual wisdom and splendour) was His mouth; the Kshatriya (constituting administrative and military prowess) became His arms. His thighs were the Vaishya (who formed commercial and business enterprise); of His feet the Shudra (repository of the productive and sustaining force) was born.<ref>Swami Krishnananda, [https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/invoc/Daily_Invocations.pdf Daily Invocations], Rishikesh: The Divine Life Society, Pg.no.63</ref>

Though, varna system has often been understood as a reference to “caste system” or “class system” representing a social grouping, the primary usage of the term in the [[Vedas (वेदाः)|veda]] and dharmashastras has been that of a “conceptual framework". [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]] Purushasukta (mantra 12) provides an earliest reference to the conceptual framework of varna. It uses the metaphor of human body to represent the universe as a cosmic [[Purusha (पुरुषः)|Purusha]] with his limbs denoting various aspects and functions of the universe.<ref name=":2">Nithin Sridhar, [http://indiafacts.org/varna-vyavastha-as-a-conceptual-social-order-that-facilitates-self-actualization/ Varṇa vyavastha as a conceptual social order that facilitates self-actualization], indiafacts.org</ref><blockquote>ब्राह्मणोऽस्य मुखमासीद्बाहू राजन्यः कृतः । ऊरू तदस्य यद्वैश्यः पद्भ्यां शूद्रो अजायत ॥१२॥ (Rig.10.90.12)<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 90], Verse 12.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>brāhmaṇo'sya mukhamāsīdbāhū rājanyaḥ kr̥taḥ । ūrū tadasya yadvaiśyaḥ padbhyāṁ śūdro ajāyata ॥12॥ (Rig.10.90.12)</blockquote>Meaning: The Brahmana (representing adhyatmik wisdom and splendour) was His mouth; the Kshatriya (constituting administrative and military prowess) became His arms. His thighs were the Vaishya (who formed commercial and business enterprise); of His feet the Shudra (repository of the productive and sustaining force) was born.<ref>Swami Krishnananda, [https://www.swami-krishnananda.org/invoc/Daily_Invocations.pdf Daily Invocations], Rishikesh: The Divine Life Society, Pg.no.63</ref>

The sukta mentions how brahmaṇa, kshatriya, vaishya and Shudra manifested out of Cosmic Puruṣa’s head, hands, thighs and feet, respectively. It is to be understood here that the different limbs of a body, though being inseparable part of the body, are distinct from each other in their nature and function. For example, the quality of the head is intelligence and accordingly its function is thinking and decision making. Distinct from this are the feet, which have the quality of movement and hence a function of carrying the body to different places. The same is the case with other organs.<ref name=":2" />

The sukta mentions how brahmaṇa, kshatriya, vaishya and Shudra manifested out of Cosmic Puruṣa’s head, hands, thighs and feet, respectively. It is to be understood here that the different limbs of a body, though being inseparable part of the body, are distinct from each other in their nature and function. For example, the quality of the head is intelligence and accordingly its function is thinking and decision making. Distinct from this are the feet, which have the quality of movement and hence a function of carrying the body to different places. The same is the case with other organs.<ref name=":2" />

With guṇa and svabhava as the identifying factor, [[Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara (भारतीयसांस्कृतिकपरम्परा)|Sanatana dharma texts]] have created four conceptual categories: brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra. [[Adi Shankaracharya (आदिशङ्कराचार्यः)|Adi Shankaracharya]], while commenting on Bhagavad Gita (4.13 & 18.41) says that brahmaṇa is a designation given to one in whom there is a predominance of sattva; kshatriya is one in whom there is both sattva and rajas, but rajas predominates; in vaishya, both rajas and tamas exist, but rajas predominates; and shudra is one in whom both rajas and tamas exist, but tamas predominates. These gunas are revealed by the natural temperaments and behavior exhibited by the person.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>गुणकर्मविभागशः गुणविभागशः कर्मविभागशश्च। गुणाः सत्त्वरजस्तमांसि। तत्र सात्त्विकस्य सत्त्वप्रधानस्य ब्राह्मणस्य शमो दमस्तपः इत्यादीनि कर्माणि सत्त्वोपसर्जनरजः प्रधानस्य क्षत्रियस्य शौर्यतेजः प्रभृतीनि कर्माणि तमउपसर्जनरजः प्रधानस्य वैश्यस्य कृष्यादीनि कर्माणि रजउपसर्जनतमः प्रधानस्य शूद्रस्य शुश्रूषैव कर्म इत्येवं गुणकर्मविभागशः चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टम् इत्यर्थः। (भ.गी.४.१३-शाङ्करभाष्यम्)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>''guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ guṇavibhāgaśaḥ karmavibhāgaśaśca। guṇāḥ sattvarajastamāṁsi। tatra sāttvikasya sattvapradhānasya brāhmaṇasya śamo damastapaḥ ityādīni karmāṇi sattvopasarjanarajaḥ pradhānasya kṣatriyasya śauryatejaḥ prabhr̥tīni karmāṇi tamaupasarjanarajaḥ pradhānasya vaiśyasya kr̥ṣyādīni karmāṇi rajaupasarjanatamaḥ pradhānasya śūdrasya śuśrūṣaiva karma ityevaṁ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ cāturvarṇyaṁ mayā sr̥ṣṭam ityarthaḥ।'' </blockquote><blockquote>अथवा ब्राह्मणस्वभावस्य सत्त्वगुणः प्रभवः कारणम्, तथा क्षत्रियस्वभावस्य सत्त्वोपसर्जनं रजः प्रभवः, वैश्यस्वभावस्य तमउपसर्जनं रजः प्रभवः, शूद्रस्वभावस्य रजौपसर्जनं तमः प्रभवः, प्रशान्त्यैश्वर्येहामूढतास्वभावदर्शनात् चतुर्णाम् । (भ.गी.१८.४१-शाङ्करभाष्यम्) <ref>The Works of Sri Sankaracharya (Volume 12), The Bhagavad-Gita Bhashya ([https://archive.org/stream/BhagavadGitaBhashyaAdiSankara2/Bhagavad%20Gita%20Bhashya%20Adi%20Sankara%202#page/n245/mode/2up Volume 2]), Srirangam: Sri Vani Vilas Press.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''athavā brāhmaṇasvabhāvasya sattvaguṇaḥ prabhavaḥ kāraṇam, tathā kṣatriyasvabhāvasya sattvopasarjanaṁ rajaḥ prabhavaḥ, vaiśyasvabhāvasya tamaupasarjanaṁ rajaḥ prabhavaḥ, śūdrasvabhāvasya rajaupasarjanaṁ tamaḥ prabhavaḥ, praśāntyaiśvaryehāmūḍhatāsvabhāvadarśanāt caturṇām ।''</blockquote>Elaborating on this, Bhagavata Purana (11.17.16-19), lists what temperaments and behavior indicates what varna designation is to be assigned to a person. It says: the control of mind and senses, austerity, cleanliness, satisfaction, tolerance, simple straightforwardness, devotion to the divine, mercy, and truthfulness are the natural qualities of the brahmanas; dynamic power, bodily strength, determination, heroism, forbearance, generosity, great endeavor, steadiness, devotion to the brahmanas and leadership are the natural qualities of the kshatriyas; belief in the divine and Vedas, dedication to charity, freedom from hypocrisy, service to the brahmanas and perpetually desiring to accumulate more money are the natural qualities of the vaishyas, service without duplicity to others, cows and deities and complete satisfaction with whatever income is obtained in such service, are the natural qualities of shudras.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>शमो दमस्तपः शौचं संतोषः क्षांतिरार्जवम् । मद्‍भक्तिश्च दया सत्यं ब्रह्मप्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥ १६ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तेजो बलं धृतिः शौर्यं तितिक्षौदार्यमुद्यमः । स्थैर्यं ब्रह्मण्यतैश्वर्यं क्षत्र प्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥ १७ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>आस्तिक्यं दाननिष्ठा च अदंभो ब्रह्मसेवनम् । अतुष्टिः अर्थोपचयैः वैश्य प्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥ १८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>शुश्रूषणं द्विजगवां देवानां चापि अमायया । तत्र लब्धेन संतोषः शूद्र प्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥ १९ ॥<ref name=":6" /></blockquote><blockquote>''śamo damastapaḥ śaucaṁ saṁtoṣaḥ kṣāṁtirārjavam । mad‍bhaktiśca dayā satyaṁ brahmaprakr̥tayastvimāḥ ॥ 16 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tejo balaṁ dhr̥tiḥ śauryaṁ titikṣaudāryamudyamaḥ । sthairyaṁ brahmaṇyataiśvaryaṁ kṣatra prakr̥tayastvimāḥ ॥ 17 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''āstikyaṁ dānaniṣṭhā ca adaṁbho brahmasevanam । atuṣṭiḥ arthopacayaiḥ vaiśya prakr̥tayastvimāḥ ॥ 18 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''śuśrūṣaṇaṁ dvijagavāṁ devānāṁ cāpi amāyayā । tatra labdhena saṁtoṣaḥ śūdra prakr̥tayastvimāḥ ॥ 19 ॥''</blockquote>Therefore, dharmic texts clearly give a wide framework by which people can be designated and classified according to their inherent temperaments. But, this four-fold classification is essentially a conceptual classification based on four ideal svabhava conditions (i.e. having a clear cut svabhava). For example, Manusmrti notes that there are only four varṇa and there is no fifth one.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यस्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः । चतुर्थ एकजातिस्तु शूद्रो नास्ति तु पञ्चमः । । १०.४ । ।<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 10].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyastrayo varṇā dvijātayaḥ । caturtha ekajātistu śūdro nāsti tu pañcamaḥ । । 10.4 । ।''</blockquote>Yet, it does note a number of sankara jatis with mixed svabhavas, which at a later stage became consolidated under “Pancama”. The point to note here is that these are not classifications intended to stratify the society at social level, but only an attempt at understanding different guna – svabhava of people. Thus, while the four-fold classification represents four ideal cases of clearly defined svabhavas based on interplay of gunas, people on the ground may have a svabhava which would be a combination of these four-primary svabhavas. Such combinations can be enormously huge, which would be impossible to either identify or classify, hence the Manu’s statement that there are only four varṇa-s. Therefore, the classification of varna may not always reflect a ground situation, especially in kaliyuga in general and at current times in particular, as society is stratified along caste, profession, etc. and the concept of guṇa and svadharma no longer drives the society.

With guṇa and svabhava as the identifying factor, [[Bharatiya Samskrtika Parampara (भारतीयसांस्कृतिकपरम्परा)|Sanatana dharma texts]] have created four conceptual categories: brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra. [[Adi Shankaracharya (आदिशङ्कराचार्यः)|Adi Shankaracharya]], while commenting on Bhagavad Gita (4.13 & 18.41) says that brahmaṇa is a designation given to one in whom there is a predominance of sattva; kshatriya is one in whom there is both sattva and rajas, but rajas predominates; in vaishya, both rajas and tamas exist, but rajas predominates; and shudra is one in whom both rajas and tamas exist, but tamas predominates. These gunas are revealed by the natural temperaments and behavior exhibited by the person.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>गुणकर्मविभागशः गुणविभागशः कर्मविभागशश्च। गुणाः सत्त्वरजस्तमांसि। तत्र सात्त्विकस्य सत्त्वप्रधानस्य ब्राह्मणस्य शमो दमस्तपः इत्यादीनि कर्माणि सत्त्वोपसर्जनरजः प्रधानस्य क्षत्रियस्य शौर्यतेजः प्रभृतीनि कर्माणि तमउपसर्जनरजः प्रधानस्य वैश्यस्य कृष्यादीनि कर्माणि रजउपसर्जनतमः प्रधानस्य शूद्रस्य शुश्रूषैव कर्म इत्येवं गुणकर्मविभागशः चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टम् इत्यर्थः। (भ.गी.४.१३-शाङ्करभाष्यम्)<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>''guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ guṇavibhāgaśaḥ karmavibhāgaśaśca। guṇāḥ sattvarajastamāṁsi। tatra sāttvikasya sattvapradhānasya brāhmaṇasya śamo damastapaḥ ityādīni karmāṇi sattvopasarjanarajaḥ pradhānasya kṣatriyasya śauryatejaḥ prabhr̥tīni karmāṇi tamaupasarjanarajaḥ pradhānasya vaiśyasya kr̥ṣyādīni karmāṇi rajaupasarjanatamaḥ pradhānasya śūdrasya śuśrūṣaiva karma ityevaṁ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ cāturvarṇyaṁ mayā sr̥ṣṭam ityarthaḥ।'' </blockquote><blockquote>अथवा ब्राह्मणस्वभावस्य सत्त्वगुणः प्रभवः कारणम्, तथा क्षत्रियस्वभावस्य सत्त्वोपसर्जनं रजः प्रभवः, वैश्यस्वभावस्य तमउपसर्जनं रजः प्रभवः, शूद्रस्वभावस्य रजौपसर्जनं तमः प्रभवः, प्रशान्त्यैश्वर्येहामूढतास्वभावदर्शनात् चतुर्णाम् । (भ.गी.१८.४१-शाङ्करभाष्यम्) <ref>The Works of Sri Sankaracharya (Volume 12), The Bhagavad-Gita Bhashya ([https://archive.org/stream/BhagavadGitaBhashyaAdiSankara2/Bhagavad%20Gita%20Bhashya%20Adi%20Sankara%202#page/n245/mode/2up Volume 2]), Srirangam: Sri Vani Vilas Press.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''athavā brāhmaṇasvabhāvasya sattvaguṇaḥ prabhavaḥ kāraṇam, tathā kṣatriyasvabhāvasya sattvopasarjanaṁ rajaḥ prabhavaḥ, vaiśyasvabhāvasya tamaupasarjanaṁ rajaḥ prabhavaḥ, śūdrasvabhāvasya rajaupasarjanaṁ tamaḥ prabhavaḥ, praśāntyaiśvaryehāmūḍhatāsvabhāvadarśanāt caturṇām ।''</blockquote>Elaborating on this, Bhagavata Purana (11.17.16-19), lists what temperaments and behavior indicates what varna designation is to be assigned to a person. It says: the control of mind and senses, austerity, cleanliness, satisfaction, tolerance, simple straightforwardness, devotion to the divine, mercy, and truthfulness are the natural qualities of the brahmanas; dynamic power, bodily strength, determination, heroism, forbearance, generosity, great endeavor, steadiness, devotion to the brahmanas and leadership are the natural qualities of the kshatriyas; belief in the divine and Vedas, dedication to charity, freedom from hypocrisy, service to the brahmanas and perpetually desiring to accumulate more money are the natural qualities of the vaishyas, service without duplicity to others, cows and deities and complete satisfaction with whatever income is obtained in such service, are the natural qualities of shudras.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>शमो दमस्तपः शौचं संतोषः क्षांतिरार्जवम् । मद्‍भक्तिश्च दया सत्यं ब्रह्मप्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥ १६ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>तेजो बलं धृतिः शौर्यं तितिक्षौदार्यमुद्यमः । स्थैर्यं ब्रह्मण्यतैश्वर्यं क्षत्र प्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥ १७ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>आस्तिक्यं दाननिष्ठा च अदंभो ब्रह्मसेवनम् । अतुष्टिः अर्थोपचयैः वैश्य प्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥ १८ ॥</blockquote><blockquote>शुश्रूषणं द्विजगवां देवानां चापि अमायया । तत्र लब्धेन संतोषः शूद्र प्रकृतयस्त्विमाः ॥ १९ ॥<ref name=":6" /></blockquote><blockquote>''śamo damastapaḥ śaucaṁ saṁtoṣaḥ kṣāṁtirārjavam । mad‍bhaktiśca dayā satyaṁ brahmaprakr̥tayastvimāḥ ॥ 16 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''tejo balaṁ dhr̥tiḥ śauryaṁ titikṣaudāryamudyamaḥ । sthairyaṁ brahmaṇyataiśvaryaṁ kṣatra prakr̥tayastvimāḥ ॥ 17 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''āstikyaṁ dānaniṣṭhā ca adaṁbho brahmasevanam । atuṣṭiḥ arthopacayaiḥ vaiśya prakr̥tayastvimāḥ ॥ 18 ॥''</blockquote><blockquote>''śuśrūṣaṇaṁ dvijagavāṁ devānāṁ cāpi amāyayā । tatra labdhena saṁtoṣaḥ śūdra prakr̥tayastvimāḥ ॥ 19 ॥''</blockquote>Therefore, dharmic texts clearly give a wide framework by which people can be designated and classified according to their inherent temperaments. But, this four-fold classification is essentially a conceptual classification based on four ideal svabhava conditions (i.e. having a clear cut svabhava). For example, Manusmrti notes that there are only four varṇa and there is no fifth one.<ref name=":2" /><blockquote>ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यस्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः । चतुर्थ एकजातिस्तु शूद्रो नास्ति तु पञ्चमः । । १०.४ । ।<ref>Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 10].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyastrayo varṇā dvijātayaḥ । caturtha ekajātistu śūdro nāsti tu pañcamaḥ । । 10.4 । ।''</blockquote>Yet, it does note a number of sankara jatis with mixed svabhavas, which at a later stage became consolidated under “Pancama”. The point to note here is that these are not classifications intended to stratify the society at social level, but only an attempt at understanding different guna – svabhava of people. Thus, while the four-fold classification represents four ideal cases of clearly defined svabhavas based on interplay of gunas, people on the ground may have a svabhava which would be a combination of these four-primary svabhavas. Such combinations can be enormously huge, which would be impossible to either identify or classify, hence the Manu’s statement that there are only four varṇa-s. Therefore, the classification of varna may not always reflect a ground situation, especially in kaliyuga in general and at current times in particular, as society is stratified along caste, profession, etc. and the concept of guṇa and svadharma no longer drives the society.

Nonetheless, this four-fold guṇa based varna and the assignment of ideal duties that a person with a particular svabhava must practice, will act as general guideline, which would not only help societies to evolve their own practical models according to their own unique social conditions, it will also help each individual to examine one’s own temperaments and inner leanings and compare and evaluate with respect to four-fold conceptual model and understand where he/she stands in life, such that people may choose their svadharma accordingly to attain material and spiritual success.<ref name=":2" />

Nonetheless, this four-fold guṇa based varna and the assignment of ideal duties that a person with a particular svabhava must practice, will act as general guideline, which would not only help societies to evolve their own practical models according to their own unique social conditions, it will also help each individual to examine one’s own temperaments and inner leanings and compare and evaluate with respect to four-fold conceptual model and understand where he/she stands in life, such that people may choose their svadharma accordingly to attain material and adhyatmik success.<ref name=":2" />

=== धर्मनियोजनम् ॥ Assignment ===

=== धर्मनियोजनम् ॥ Assignment ===

Sanatana dharma conceives a four-fold goal of human life called “purusharthas”: dharma, artha, kama and [[Moksha (मोक्षः)|moksha]]. This framework of life wherein each human being has an obligation to pursue the four-fold goals in his or her life is a unique and very important contribution of Sanatana Dharma. Since, human life is considered very unique due to them having free-will and the ability to make choices, the dharma traditions have conceived four purusharthas to provide a guidance for the exertion of this free-will in a righteous and meritorious way.

Sanatana dharma conceives a four-fold goal of human life called “purusharthas”: dharma, artha, kama and [[Moksha (मोक्षः)|moksha]]. This framework of life wherein each human being has an obligation to pursue the four-fold goals in his or her life is a unique and very important contribution of Sanatana Dharma. Since, human life is considered very unique due to them having free-will and the ability to make choices, the dharma traditions have conceived four purusharthas to provide a guidance for the exertion of this free-will in a righteous and meritorious way.

While artha and Kama refer to pursuing worldly pleasures and prosperity, respectively, moksha refers to pursuing spiritual emancipation in the form of ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Dharma, on the other hand, is the connecting principle, which on the one hand facilitates an individual to attain artha and kama, all the while taking one closer and closer to moksha as well. Because, “Achieving moksha becomes possible only when a life pursuing desires (kama) and wealth (artha) has been led consistently within the framework of dharma. Dharma thus plays a very crucial role in not only ensuring a  good life here and now, but also in enabling one to attain the state of supreme good or liberation, from which there is no lapsing back to karma and rebirth.”

While artha and Kama refer to pursuing worldly pleasures and prosperity, respectively, moksha refers to pursuing adhyatmik emancipation in the form of ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Dharma, on the other hand, is the connecting principle, which on the one hand facilitates an individual to attain artha and kama, all the while taking one closer and closer to moksha as well. Because, “Achieving moksha becomes possible only when a life pursuing desires (kama) and wealth (artha) has been led consistently within the framework of dharma. Dharma thus plays a very crucial role in not only ensuring a  good life here and now, but also in enabling one to attain the state of supreme good or liberation, from which there is no lapsing back to karma and rebirth.”

Purusharthas are very vital for people to lead their lives to the fullest. An individual will only find self-fulfillment and contentment, when he is able to understand his inner potential and work towards realizing them on the ground, all the while also fulfilling his other basic needs, on the one hand and slowly moving towards spiritual emancipation, on the other. Thus, performance of svadharma or righteous duties constitute the key to attaining overall wellbeing by an individual.

Purusharthas are very vital for people to lead their lives to the fullest. An individual will only find self-fulfillment and contentment, when he is able to understand his inner potential and work towards realizing them on the ground, all the while also fulfilling his other basic needs, on the one hand and slowly moving towards adhyatmik emancipation, on the other. Thus, performance of svadharma or righteous duties constitute the key to attaining overall wellbeing by an individual.

Dharma traditions enunciate these righteous duties as having two aspects.   

Dharma traditions enunciate these righteous duties as having two aspects.   

# सामान्यधर्मः ॥ Samanyadharma : This deals with the ethical principles like truth, non-injury, non-stealing, etc., which are common duties of all beings.  

# सामान्यधर्मः ॥ Samanyadharma : This deals with the ethical principles like truth, non-injury, non-stealing, etc., which are common duties of all beings.  

# विशेषधर्मः ॥ Vishesha dharma : These are special duties, which are unique to every individual depending on the kala (time), desha (place), varna and ashrama. Among these different elements of vishesha dharma, it is the varṇa dharma along with [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|ashrama dharma]] that caters to different stages in a person’s life, which can be considered as the most defining principles of svadharma or righteous duties with respect to an individual, since they alone cater to the unique temperaments, potential competencies, and inner calling of an individual.

# विशेषधर्मः ॥ Vishesha dharma : These are special duties, which are unique to every individual depending on the kala (time), desha (place), varna and ashrama. Among these different elements of vishesha dharma, it is the varṇa dharma along with [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|ashrama dharma]] that caters to different stages in a person’s life, which can be considered as the most defining principles of svadharma or righteous duties with respect to an individual, since they alone cater to the unique temperaments, potential competencies, and inner calling of an individual.

Notably, the varṇa model places knowledge, particularly spiritual knowledge (adhyatma vidya) and transcendent knowledge (atma vidya) at the top, like the head of a human being and a whole conceptual framework has been conceived such that all other mundane activities be it politics, commerce, or labor, are perceived as actions that facilitate individuals to eventually reach the ultimate goal of jnana and moksha. In fact, a clear correlation between [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|varna–ashrama]], on the one hand, and purusharthas on the other hand can be established. Though, the four purusharthas are equally applicable to all human beings irrespective of their varna, there is also a clear correlation between the svabhava of a person and the purushartha he is most likely to consider as central to his life.

Notably, the varṇa model places knowledge, particularly adhyatmik knowledge (adhyatma vidya) and transcendent knowledge (atma vidya) at the top, like the head of a human being and a whole conceptual framework has been conceived such that all other mundane activities be it politics, commerce, or labor, are perceived as actions that facilitate individuals to eventually reach the ultimate goal of jnana and moksha. In fact, a clear correlation between [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|varna–ashrama]], on the one hand, and purusharthas on the other hand can be established. Though, the four purusharthas are equally applicable to all human beings irrespective of their varna, there is also a clear correlation between the svabhava of a person and the purushartha he is most likely to consider as central to his life.

For.example,  

For.example,  

* Similarly, vaishya varṇa is associated with the purushartha of ‘artha’ (gathering of wealth), because their svabhava drives them to pursue wealth and prosperity.

* Similarly, vaishya varṇa is associated with the purushartha of ‘artha’ (gathering of wealth), because their svabhava drives them to pursue wealth and prosperity.

* kshatriya is associated with dharma, because their foremost duty is the protection of dharma and the welfare of citizens, and not pursuance of personal desires or wealth

* kshatriya is associated with dharma, because their foremost duty is the protection of dharma and the welfare of citizens, and not pursuance of personal desires or wealth

* brahmanas are associated with moksha, because it is the ultimate calling of the brahmana and they are by svabhava spiritual in outlook.  

* brahmanas are associated with moksha, because it is the ultimate calling of the brahmana and they are by svabhava adhyatmik in outlook.  

In fact, Vajrasuchika Upaniṣad (Verse 10) says, a true brahmana is one who has established himself in Brahman i.e. Attained moksha.<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>यः कश्चिदात्मानमद्वितीयं जातिगुणक्रियाहीनं षडूर्मिषड्भावेत्यादिसर्वदोषरहितं सत्यज्ञानानन्दानन्तस्वरूपं स्वयं निर्विकल्पमशेषकल्पाधारशेषभूतान्तर्यामित्वेन वर्तमानमन्तर्यहिश्चाकाशवदनुस्यूतमखण्डानन्द-स्वभावमप्रमेयमनुभवैकवेद्यमपरोक्षतया भासमानं करतलमलकवत्साक्षादपरोक्षीकृत्य कृतार्थतया कामरागादिदोषरहितः शमदमादिसम्पन्नो भावमात्सर्यतृष्णाशामोहादिरहितो दम्भाहङ्कारदिभिरसंस्पृष्टचेता वर्तत एवमुक्तलक्षणो यः स एव ब्राह्मणेति श्रुतिस्मृतीतिहास-पुराणानामभिप्रायः । अन्यथा हि ब्राह्मणत्वसिद्धिर्नास्त्येव ।<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Vajrasuchika Upanishad]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ kaścidātmānamadvitīyaṁ jātiguṇakriyāhīnaṁ ṣaḍūrmiṣaḍbhāvetyādisarvadoṣarahitaṁ satyajñānānandānantasvarūpaṁ svayaṁ nirvikalpamaśeṣakalpādhāraśeṣabhūtāntaryāmitvena vartamānamantaryahiścākāśavadanusyūtamakhaṇḍānanda-svabhāvamaprameyamanubhavaikavedyamaparokṣatayā bhāsamānaṁ karatalamalakavatsākṣādaparokṣīkr̥tya kr̥tārthatayā kāmarāgādidoṣarahitaḥ śamadamādisampanno bhāvamātsaryatr̥ṣṇāśāmohādirahito dambhāhaṅkāradibhirasaṁspr̥ṣṭacetā vartata evamuktalakṣaṇo yaḥ sa eva brāhmaṇeti śrutismr̥tītihāsa-purāṇānāmabhiprāyaḥ । anyathā hi brāhmaṇatvasiddhirnāstyeva ।</blockquote>Meaning: Whoever he may be, he who has directly realised his Atma and who is directly cognizant, like the myrobalan in his palm, of his Atma that is without a second, that is devoid of class and actions, that is free from the faults of the six stains and the six changes, that is of the nature of truth, knowledge, bliss, and eternity, that is without any change in itself, that is the substratum of all the kalpas, that exists penetrating all things that pervades everything within and without as akasha , that is of nature of undivided bliss, that cannot be reasoned about and that is known only by direct cognition. He who by the reason of having obtained his wishes is devoid of the faults of thirst after worldly objects and passions, who is the possessor of the qualifications beginning with shama, who is free from emotion, malice, thirst after worldly objects, desire, delusion, etc., whose mind is untouched by pride, egoism, etc., who possesses all these qualities and means he only is the brahmana. Such is the opinion of the vedas, the [[Smrti (स्मृतिः)|smrtis]], the [[Itihasa (इतिहासः)|itihasa]] and the [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|puranas]]. Otherwise one cannot obtain the status of a brahmana.<ref>K.Narayanasvami Aiyar (1914), [https://archive.org/details/thirtyminorupani00xxxxuoft/page/n127 Thirty Minor Upanishads], Madras. </ref>

In fact, Vajrasuchika Upaniṣad (Verse 10) says, a true brahmana is one who has established himself in Brahman i.e. Attained moksha.<ref name=":2" /> <blockquote>यः कश्चिदात्मानमद्वितीयं जातिगुणक्रियाहीनं षडूर्मिषड्भावेत्यादिसर्वदोषरहितं सत्यज्ञानानन्दानन्तस्वरूपं स्वयं निर्विकल्पमशेषकल्पाधारशेषभूतान्तर्यामित्वेन वर्तमानमन्तर्यहिश्चाकाशवदनुस्यूतमखण्डानन्द-स्वभावमप्रमेयमनुभवैकवेद्यमपरोक्षतया भासमानं करतलमलकवत्साक्षादपरोक्षीकृत्य कृतार्थतया कामरागादिदोषरहितः शमदमादिसम्पन्नो भावमात्सर्यतृष्णाशामोहादिरहितो दम्भाहङ्कारदिभिरसंस्पृष्टचेता वर्तत एवमुक्तलक्षणो यः स एव ब्राह्मणेति श्रुतिस्मृतीतिहास-पुराणानामभिप्रायः । अन्यथा हि ब्राह्मणत्वसिद्धिर्नास्त्येव ।<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Vajrasuchika Upanishad]</ref></blockquote><blockquote>yaḥ kaścidātmānamadvitīyaṁ jātiguṇakriyāhīnaṁ ṣaḍūrmiṣaḍbhāvetyādisarvadoṣarahitaṁ satyajñānānandānantasvarūpaṁ svayaṁ nirvikalpamaśeṣakalpādhāraśeṣabhūtāntaryāmitvena vartamānamantaryahiścākāśavadanusyūtamakhaṇḍānanda-svabhāvamaprameyamanubhavaikavedyamaparokṣatayā bhāsamānaṁ karatalamalakavatsākṣādaparokṣīkr̥tya kr̥tārthatayā kāmarāgādidoṣarahitaḥ śamadamādisampanno bhāvamātsaryatr̥ṣṇāśāmohādirahito dambhāhaṅkāradibhirasaṁspr̥ṣṭacetā vartata evamuktalakṣaṇo yaḥ sa eva brāhmaṇeti śrutismr̥tītihāsa-purāṇānāmabhiprāyaḥ । anyathā hi brāhmaṇatvasiddhirnāstyeva ।</blockquote>Meaning: Whoever he may be, he who has directly realised his Atma and who is directly cognizant, like the myrobalan in his palm, of his Atma that is without a second, that is devoid of class and actions, that is free from the faults of the six stains and the six changes, that is of the nature of truth, knowledge, bliss, and eternity, that is without any change in itself, that is the substratum of all the kalpas, that exists penetrating all things that pervades everything within and without as akasha , that is of nature of undivided bliss, that cannot be reasoned about and that is known only by direct cognition. He who by the reason of having obtained his wishes is devoid of the faults of thirst after worldly objects and passions, who is the possessor of the qualifications beginning with shama, who is free from emotion, malice, thirst after worldly objects, desire, delusion, etc., whose mind is untouched by pride, egoism, etc., who possesses all these qualities and means he only is the brahmana. Such is the opinion of the vedas, the [[Smrti (स्मृतिः)|smrtis]], the [[Itihasa (इतिहासः)|itihasa]] and the [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|puranas]]. Otherwise one cannot obtain the status of a brahmana.<ref>K.Narayanasvami Aiyar (1914), [https://archive.org/details/thirtyminorupani00xxxxuoft/page/n127 Thirty Minor Upanishads], Madras. </ref>

== संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis ==

== संहृतिः ॥ Synopsis ==

The varna framework recognizes each individual as a unique person with unique temperaments, capabilities and inner-callings, fulfilling which alone will bring happiness, contentment and spiritual emancipation to that individual. This making of self-actualization, the interplay between svabhava and svadharma as the linchpin of the dharmic vision for a harmonious social order that upholds merit and preserves diversity is perhaps the most important contribution of Sanatana dharma traditions to the world.<ref name=":2" />

The varna framework recognizes each individual as a unique person with unique temperaments, capabilities and inner-callings, fulfilling which alone will bring happiness, contentment and adhyatmik emancipation to that individual. This making of self-actualization, the interplay between svabhava and svadharma as the linchpin of the dharmic vision for a harmonious social order that upholds merit and preserves diversity is perhaps the most important contribution of Sanatana dharma traditions to the world.<ref name=":2" />

== References ==

== References ==