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=== प्रत्यभिज्ञानम् ॥ Identification ===

=== प्रत्यभिज्ञानम् ॥ Identification ===

The very first element required to construct a conceptual social order based on varṇa is a proper “mechanism” using which varṇa of an individual can be identified. And such a mechanism has been provided to us in Bhagavad Gita, which says that the duties of various varṇa-s are to be classified based on the guṇas born from svabhava (verse 18.41). A similar view has been expressed by Lord Shiva in Mahābhāratam (Anuśāsanaparva, Ch. 143). Thus, “svabhava” of an individual is the key for identifying the varṇa of that person.

The very first element required to construct a conceptual social order based on varṇa is a proper “mechanism” using which varṇa of an individual can be identified. And such a mechanism has been provided to us in Bhagavad Gita, which says that the duties of various varṇas are to be classified based on the guṇas born from svabhava ([https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Varna_Dharma_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83)#.E0.A4.97.E0.A5.80.E0.A4.A4.E0.A4.BE.E0.A4.AF.E0.A4.BE.E0.A4.82_.E0.A4.B5.E0.A4.B0.E0.A5.8D.E0.A4.A3.E0.A4.83_.E0.A5.A5_Varna_in_the_Gita verse 18.41]). A similar view has been expressed by Lord Shiva in Mahabharata ([https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Varna_Dharma_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83)#.E0.A4.B5.E0.A4.B0.E0.A5.8D.E0.A4.A3.E0.A4.AE.E0.A5.80.E0.A4.AE.E0.A4.BE.E0.A4.82.E0.A4.B8.E0.A4.BE_.E0.A5.A5_Varna_Mimamsa Anushasana Parva, Chapter 143]). Thus, “svabhava” of an individual is the key for identifying the varṇa of that person.<ref name=":2" />

But, this svabhava of an individual is in-turn determined by two factors: the natural tendencies inherited from one’s parents and the mental impressions (saṃskāra-s) one inherits from previous lives; and both these factors are in-turn dependent on prārabdha karma-s[19]that decide where and in which family a person takes birth into, the life challenges that he or she will be facing in life, etc. It is for this reason, ‘birth’ or ‘janma’ was used as an identifying factor for determining varṇa. But, here the reference is to the ‘prārabdha karma’and the svabhava one inherits due to prārabdha and not necessarily[20]a reference to being born in a tribe, caste, class, or family.

But, this svabhava of an individual is in-turn determined by two factors: the natural tendencies inherited from one’s parents and the mental impressions (saṃskāra-s) one inherits from previous lives; and both these factors are in-turn dependent on prārabdha karma-s[19]that decide where and in which family a person takes birth into, the life challenges that he or she will be facing in life, etc. It is for this reason, ‘birth’ or ‘janma’ was used as an identifying factor for determining varṇa. But, here the reference is to the ‘prārabdha karma’and the svabhava one inherits due to prārabdha and not necessarily[20]a reference to being born in a tribe, caste, class, or family.